Guidebook to 40 outdoor adventures in the Lake District with children under 12, including hiking, biking, scrambling, boating, swimming, paddling, camping, bothying and hostelling. The adventures are graded, with alternatives given where they exist so families can embark on the level of adventure that suits them best. Similarly, the guide is designed for long-term use, so as children grow up they can progress to more exciting and challenging adventures.

All featured routes have been rigorously road-tested and have got the thumbs up from the harshest of critics - the under-12s. In addition to OS mapping and easy-to-follow route description, the guide also includes invaluable practical information on bike/boat hire, bases and transport in the Lake District, plus notes on adventuring safely, getting close to nature and responsibly using national parks. The guide is also visually appealing, showcasing stunning photography guaranteed to inspire.

With its twinkling tarns for skimming stones and craggy summits for scrambling, the Lake District is a natural adventure playground for children of all ages. It is the perfect place for families to share outdoor adventures, have fun together and inspire youngsters to love and cherish wild and rural landscapes.

List of adventures

Map key

Activity symbol key

Overview map

Making this guide

Introduction

The Lake District with children

Bases and transport

When to go

Hiking with children

Biking with children

Getting wet

Wild nights: camping, bothying and hostelling

Adventuring safely

Responsible use of our national park

Getting close to nature

How to use this guide and grading

The southern lakes

The northern lakes

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Where to hire bikes and boats

Appendix C Attractions and playgrounds

Appendix D Outdoor activity providers

Appendix E Useful contacts

Seasons

April to October are best, but many routes can be tackled year round.

Centres

Bases in the southern Lakes include Ambleside, Coniston, Grasmere and Windermere; in the north Keswick, Cockermouth or Glenridding.

Difficulty

There are adventures to suit all abilities graded from easy-to-manage green routes, building up through blues to more challenging red and black outings. Most routes have options for families with children of different ages and capabilities.

Must See

Includes adventures around all of the major lakes: Derwent Water, Coniston, Buttermere, Windermere and Ullswater. Visit Cathedral Cave, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Wray Castle and classic summits such as Catbells, Coniston Old Man and Scafell Pike. Discover hidden gems such as Hodbarrow Point, Hampsfell and Dunnerdale's Fickle Steps.

September 2020

Walk 4 start point

August 2019

Updates

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