Best Walks in the Lake District

Discover the Lake District’s most rewarding mountain days with this inspirational, large-format collection of 50 outstanding walks across the region’s fells. From famous summits such as Scafell Pike and Helvellyn to quieter and lesser-known hills, each route offers a challenging and memorable day exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Lake District National Park.

The routes range from 6 to 23km (4–14 miles) and typically take between 5 and 10 hours to complete. All are graded for difficulty and designed for walkers with a reasonable level of fitness and some hillwalking experience. With circular routes that can also be tackled as backpacking outings, this guidebook provides inspiration both for those new to the Lake District and for experienced walkers keen to rediscover familiar fells by new routes.

50 inspiring mountain walks across the Lake District, each designed as a rewarding ‘Great Mountain Day’
Routes range from 6 to 23km (4–14 miles) and typically take 5 to 10 hours, graded by difficulty for confident hillwalkers, optional low-grade scrambling on some routes
Clear route descriptions supported by 1:40,000 Harvey mapping and the author's distinctive hand-drawn fellscape diagrams
Includes classic summits such as Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Great Gable, Blencathra, Catbells, Coniston Old Man, Great Gable, Pillar and the Langdale Pikes, alongside quieter but equally rewarding routes
Features well-known rounds such as the Fairfield, Mosedale, Newlands and Coledale Horseshoes
Walks accessible from key Lake District centres including Ambleside, Grasmere, Keswick, Patterdale and Coniston, with practical information on parking, public transport and refreshments


Combining inspiring photography, clear mapping and carefully chosen routes, this large-format guidebook helps you plan unforgettable days in the Lake District mountains. Whether you are aiming for classic summits or discovering quieter corners of the fells, it offers everything you need for memorable mountain adventures.

Seasons

Suitable all-year round, but in winter you must be experienced and suitably equipped for adverse mountain weather.

Centres

Ambleside, Keswick, Grasmere, Patterdale, Seatoller, Boot, Coniston, Ennerdale, Wasdale

Difficulty

Circular routes, between 4 and 14 miles in length and graded for difficulty. No special equipment required but navigational skills needed.

Must See

The best days out in the Lake District mountains, including Scafell Pike, Fairfield, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, and Blencathra and other lesser-known but wonderful Lake District mountain walks. Each route offers a Great Mountain Day, a rewarding, spectacular and potentially challenging walk exploring the beauty of the Lake District.

Foreword by Sir Chris Bonington Preface Introduction About the guide Caring for the fells Fix the Fells Weather to walk? Before you start The Routes 1 Lingmoor Fell 2 Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle 3 Loft Crag and Pike o’Stickle 4 Bowfell and Rossett Pike 5 Pike o’Blisco and Crinkle Crags 6 Wetherlam 7 Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man 8 Dow Crag, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Grey Friar 9 Black Combe 10 Harter Fell (Eskdale) and Hard Knott 11 Scafell Pike and Esk Pike 12 Scafell and Slight Side 13 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg 14 Great End, Scafell Pike and Lingmell 15 Pillar, Scoat Fell, Red Pike and Yewbarrow 16 Kirk Fell and Great Gable 17 Buckbarrow, Seatallan and Middle Fell 18 Crag Fell, Caw Fell and Haycock 19 Steeple, Scoat Fell and Pillar 20 Mellbreak 21 Whiteside, Hopegill Head, Grasmoor, Wandope, Whiteless Pike and Rannerside Knotts 22 High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike 23 Haystacks 24 Fleetwith Pike, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson 25 Green Gable and Great Gable 26 Rosthwaite Fell and Glaramara 27 Eagle Crag, Sergeant’s Crag, High Raise and Ullscarf 28 High Spy, King’s How and Brund Fell 29 Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head and Hindscarth 30 Robinson, Knott Rigg and Ard Crags 31 Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Eel Crag, Sail, Outerside and Barrow 32 Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, Skiddaw Little Man, Skiddaw and Bakestall 33 Carrock Fell and High Pike 34 Bowscale Fell, Blencathra and Souther Fell 35 Blencathra 36 Clough Head, Great Dodd, Watson’s Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd and Hart Side 37 Raise, White Side and Helvellyn 38 Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag and Sergeant Man 39 Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar 40 Red Screes, Litte Hart Crag, High Pike and Low Pike 41 Caudale Moor 42 Dove Crag, Hart Crag and Hartsop above How 43 Fairfield and St Sunday Crag 44 Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike, Helvellyn and Catstycam 45 Birkhouse Moor, Helvellyn, White Side, Raise, Stybarrow Dodd and Sheffield Pike 46 Place Fell 47 Steel Knotts, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, The Knott, Rest Dodd, Angletarn Pikes and Beda Head 48 High Street, Rampsgill Head and Kidsty Pike 49 Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street and Mardale Ill Bell 50 Shipman Knotts, Kentmere Pike and Harter Fell (Mardale) Index of the Fells Further Reading