If you are new to hiking the fells (hills and mountains) of the Lake District, you may be wondering where to begin. There are literally hundreds (thousands?) of options to choose from. It can all be a little… intimidating.
Here, I’ll share a few of my favorite, suitable-for-beginners hikes in the Lake District. All are relatively low-elevation peaks that should not require any specialized gear, although for safety’s sake you should always hike with sturdy waterproof footwear, water, food, a whistle, a rain jacket, and a layer that will stay warm even if it gets wet — like a fleece jacket or wool sweater. (You should also bring a map and a compass, and know how to use them. See also our list of essential gear for hiking in the Lakes, and additional useful info on maps and GPS apps.)
My criteria for beginner’s hikes are as follows: first, it’s a hike I need to have done myself. Since I’ve only hiked about half of the Wainwrights so far, that criterion excludes a number of excellent walks. I will update this page as I learn more.
Second, the elevation gain should be minimal. While most new walkers tend to focus on the mileage of their route, it’s really the elevation that matters more — a mile on a paved, flat road is an easy walk, but a mile of steep climbing is much more challenging. Moreover, as elevation rises, so do potential hazards: as you ascend, the air cools and the wind fiercens. Plus, there’s a greater likelihood that the summit will become shrouded in mist, which will not only ruin the view, but also make it harder for you to navigate. All of these can pose challenges for the hiker, and I would not want to inflict them on unsuspecting first-timers. Helvellyn may be England’s favorite mountain, but for a new hiker, the slog to a lofty summit may feel more like the Bataan Death March. He or she may leave the mountain thinking, “Glad I’ve done that — but never again, never again.”
Last but not least, the walk should be enjoyable and the view from the summit inspiring! Lots of “beginner” lists focus only on short mileage and low elevation, but totally forget about the interest and value of the walk itself. No offense to stout little peaks like Latrigg and Loughrigg, but lovely as they are, they don’t really inflame the imagination of the uninitiated hiker. I have tried to focus here on “gateway drug” hikes that will introduce newbies to the fells and actually make them want to come back for more.
Beginner hikes near Keswick:
Catbells – A universally and deservedly popular hike with a bit of easy scrambling (hands-and-feet climbing) towards the top. To get to the trailhead at Hawes End, many people like to take the boat from Keswick; on a fine day, a ride on the Keswick launch makes a great start or end to any hike! The trail will is easily followed — you can see it snaking up the mountain from afar. Just follow the crowds. 2.4 miles round trip and 1,000 feet of elevation gain from Hawes End.
Castle Crag – This is the only fell under 1,000 feet included in Alfred Wainwright’s famous list, and it’s easy to see why it made the cut. It’s easily accessible by a (very scenic) bus ride from Keswick and can be done as a loop from the pretty little town of Grange. From Grange, walk south along the Cumbria Way; as you approach Castle Crag, stay to the right (west) at the fork. Follow the path along Broadslack Gill as it gently slopes upward until you see a steep path going up to your left — take this path to the summit. Enjoy the summit, the piles of slate, and the fine views, then make your way down the opposite side of the fell toward the river Derwent. You’ll meet up with the Cumbria Way again and can follow it north back to Grange, where there are several nice tea rooms. This loop is a lovely walk through quiet woodlands. 3.3 miles and only 720 feet of elevation gain.
King’s How. This is properly a viewpoint on Grange Fell, but is called King’s How due to the plaque dedicating it to King Edward VII. That viewpoint is reached at just over 1,200 feet, and the views of Derwentwater and Skiddaw are breathtaking. It’s a 2.85 mile loop from Grange and just over 1,000 feet of elevation. (It also makes a nice target from the tiny hamlet of Watendlath, from which it is just over three miles round trip and only about 600 feet of elevation.)
Walla Crag + Bleaberry Fell. This is one of my favorite hikes from Keswick. There are two main ways of getting to Walla Crag; one is the northern approach, following the longer, more gradually ascending path along Brockle Beck. The other is to take the short, steep, stair-like path that climbs Cat Gill. The latter is my preferred route; you get the elevation over and done with, and the view atop Walla Crag bursts upon you all at once.
From the summit of Wall Crag, there’s an obvious path covering the mile-and-a-half distance to the summit of Bleaberry Fell. The only tricky bit is toward the end when the trail suddenly gets a bit steeper, but this doesn’t last long. The views from path and the summit alike are spectacular. If you have any adventurous blood in you at all, you will feel it stirring as you gaze towards the high fells of Borrowdale and beyond! (You may in fact be so stirred that you are tempted to continue south along the ridge to High Seat; do not do this. The path quickly disappears and the walk becomes a notorious slog through a bog. Retrace your steps back to Walla Crag instead.)
Assuming a starting point from St. John’s church in the center of town, walking along the lake to the Cat Gill trailhead, and finishing with a descent down Brockle Beck, the total route is 8 miles round trip with 1,800 feet of elevation gain.
Best beginner hikes near Windermere and Ambleside:
Orrest Head. This short stroll cannot properly be called a hike, but it is an easy walk and well worth doing, particularly as a pre-breakfast or post-dinner excursion. It’s from the top of Orrest Head that Alfred Wainwright first glimpsed the view of the high fells that would become his life’s work and legacy. And indeed, on a first trip to Windermere, a quick glimpse of the Langdale Pikes is enough to set anyone’s imagination aflame. You can take a quick 20-30 minute stroll to the top of Orrest Head from a number of paths, including one that leaves almost directly from Windermere rail station. Whichever route you take, it’s going to be under two miles and just 300 feet of elevation gain.
Troutbeck Tongue. There’s something truly delightful about a low fell surrounded by higher fells; you not only get to enjoy a commanding view of the valley, but also a sense of being dwarfed by more impressive mountains. Troutbeck Tongue is perhaps the best example of this in the entire district. I would recommend starting near the church (at the bottom of the valley by Trout Beck; the town itself is up the hillside). From here, you can take the Garburn track as it slants up the fellside to the northeast. It will intersect with the Longmire track just above the Limefitt holiday park; continue left along Longmire track. (The Garburn track will keep climbing up the fellside to Garburn pass, and while this is a lovely route, it is not going to take you to Troutbeck Tongue!)
The Longmire track continues, with good footing, along the Troutbeck valley. You’ll see the Tongue in front of you the entire way. On a clear day, there are wonderful views of the valley below you and the high fells above you. Just as you reach the Tongue itself, there’s a bridge crossing a stream to your left. Cross it, and follow the path as it scrambles steeply up the front of Troutbeck Tongue. Savor the amazing views of Windermere from the summit! Then retrace your steps back down. You can take a faint trail southwest past a farm to a paved road. Following the paved road (a very pretty, lightly trafficked walk on the valley floor) will bring you back to town, and the pub. Treat yourself to a pint at the Queen’s Head!
This route is about 5.5 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain; roughly half of this is climbing the Tongue itself. The other 500 feet of elevation gain are divided between the start and the end of the walk, when you are climbing out of the Troutbeck valley to gain the Garburn track (at the start of the walk) or the town (at the end of the hike).
Wansfell Pike. This is a deservedly popular hike, and on a sunny Saturday, you may have lots of company. It’s still a lovely walk! From Stockghyll Lane in Ambleside, follow the footpath through a peaceful woodland to Stockghyll force. After you exit the trees, you’ll see a path making a direct assault up the fellside: this is your trail! Fortunately, the steepness of the path and the popularity of the route have resulted in a very well-built stone-flagged path, and it’s almost like a gentle staircase the whole way. When you stop to catch your breath, be sure to turn around and enjoy the views of Ambleside below you. This path will lead you directly to the summit of Wansfell Pike, a craggy promontory with commanding views of town and lake. (The actual summit of Wasfell is just behind you, and called “Baystones” on the map. It is a nice, brief stroll from the Pike, and much quieter, although the trails in the Baystones area can become somewhat confusing to follow.) From the Pike, there are a number of trails leading back to Ambleside, although I might suggest that you head towards Troutbeck, where the footpath meets up with stony Nanny Lane. This will lead you directly to the Mortal Man for a well-earned pint. If it’s a sunny day, there’s no lovelier place than their beer garden.
From the White Lion in Ambleside to the summit of Wansfell, it’s about 1.5 miles and 1,300 feet of elevation (so would be roughly 3 miles round trip). If you continue on to Baystones and then down to the Mortal Man in Troutbeck, it’s 4 miles from start to finish, and about 1,400 feet of elevation gain. You can get back to Ambleside either by walking (there are many footpaths that skirt the base of Wansfell; you don’t have to climb it again!) or by taking the (infrequent) 508 bus to Windermere, where there are regular buses to Ambleside. It’s about 3 miles if you decide to walk via the footpaths, and downhill most of the way. Of course, you can also walk about a mile and a half from the Mortal Man to Troutbeck Bridge, where the Ambleside-bound buses stop regularly.
Best beginner hikes near Grasmere:
Helm Crag. A classic introduction to the lumpy, humpy green fells of Grasmere. From the bus stop opposite the Sam Read bookshop, walk up the Easedale Road. The path to Helm Crag rises steeply from behind the Lancrigg hotel — you can either find it by darting through the grounds of the hotel (which are lovely) or by following the road further and taking a right after you’ve passed the hotel. From here, the trail becomes a set of steep stone stairs. The summit is quickly gained, and the views from Helm Crag are inspiring in all directions. To keep this a short excursion, I recommend simply going back down the way you came.
It’s tempting to look at the map and think you can make a short loop hike using one of two two short, steep paths descending from between Helm Crag and Gibson Knott (one plunging down to Far Easedale and one toward the A591). I would not recommend them. They are exceedingly steep, and the “path” descending into Far Easedale from the ridge is just a sheep track through the bracken.
Finish with a celebratory pint or G&T at the Lancrigg afterwards. They have several picnic tables offering one of the best pub views in all the Lakes. The Poet’s Bar also offers great food served all day, which is a boon for hungry hikers. It’s about 3.7 miles round trip, with 1000 feet of elevation gain, assuming you are starting and ending at Sam Read’s bookshop.
Silver How. On a long summer day, Silver How makes a lovely after-dinner walk. Head up past Allan Bank along a gravel track; this will eventually turn into a footpath dotted with placid sheep and, in the summer, the pink spires of foxgloves. After a few false summits, the path levels out a bit, and you find yourself traveling over hummocky ground to the summit of Silver How. There are gorgeous views of the lake, and, towards sunset, a lovely golden glow over the surrounding, higher fells. From the bookshop, it’s about 1.5 miles and 1000 feet of elevation gain to the summit (3 miles round trip as an out-and-back).
Best beginner hikes near Ullswater:
Gowbarrow Fell. One of my favorite fells, large or small, in the whole district, containing in a single hike so many of the delights Lakeland has to offer. You begin with a visit to one of the region’s most beloved waterfalls (Aira Force), climb a not-too-challenging hike to great views, and finish with a walk overlooking arguably the district’s best-looking lake (the southern end of Ullswater). Plus there’s a tearoom and restrooms near Aira Force, and just a short stroll away there’s the Royal Dockray pub. What’s not to like?
First, take the bus or steamship to Aira Force, and enjoy the views of the waterfall; in prime Victorians-enjoying-nature fashion, there’s a stone bridge that lets you get quite close to the falls themselves, and plenty of wooden benches that enjoy a “fine prospect” (as Jane Austen might say) of the picturesque scene. Continue walking north along the trail above the force, as Aira Beck becomes a placid lakeland stream. This trail is part of a looping section of the Ullswater Way, and you should see trail signs marked with a little daffodil sigil. In the woodland surrounding the beck, you’re also likely to see red squirrels with their adorable tufted ears, so keep your eyes open!
After you exit the woodland, about 1.25 miles from the car park, the path veers right (east) and starts climbing the fell. After another half mile of climbing, you will have reached the open summit of Gowbarrow, with fine views in all directions. There’s a somewhat confusing intersection of paths on the summit; one trail leads towards the lake and will take you quickly back to the Aira Force car park. Instead, I would recommend that you continue to follow the Ullswater Way east over the top of the fell. This trail will carry you down to a grassy intersection just below Kirsty Brow. Turn right here, toward the lake, and then follow this trail (also part of the Ullswater Way) along the lake-facing side of the fell and back toward the Aira Force car park. This stunning section of trail has good footing, easy grades, and, as you come around the edge of Yew Crag, spectacular views of Ullswater.
From start to finish, this entire walk is only 4.5 miles and about 1,200 feet of elevation gain, making it one of the best “bargain” hikes in the region, or indeed anywhere!
Great Mell Fell. This is an easy, straightforward, some might even say boring walk. But the trail, while short, provides a fair amount of variety–you begin in a woodland, exit onto turfy grass, and, just before the summit, pass through an unusual stand of wind-sculpted trees (very Instagrammable). The summit of this small fell also provides an inspiring view of several larger peaks, including a fantastic view of Blencathra to the north. It’s a lovely place to take a quick nap on a sunny day, or just sit and have a lazy picnic lunch before retracing your steps down to the car. It’s also not far from the Royal Hotel in Dockray, a pub with a) a royal claim to fame (Mary Queen of Scots supposedly once stayed here) and b) a truly wonderful beer garden and c) an absolutely delicious fish and chips. It’s only one mile from the start of the trail (by the lane that runs along Mellfell Beck) to the summit, and about 850 feet of elevation gain. (So, two miles as an out-and-back trip.)
A beginner hike near Buttermere:
Rannerdale Knotts. If you should ever be in Lakeland in early spring, when the bluebells are out, make sure you visit Rannerdale Knotts. The valley flanking this low fell is completely carpeted in the dainty, nodding heads of these violet-blue flowers. Photos don’t capture it; it will literally take your breath away. The best way to see them is to go on a weekday, or early in the morning, when you will have fewer fellow visitors with you.
But Rannerdale Knotts is well worth visiting at any time of year! To hike it, start in Buttermere; from the Bridge Hotel, follow the road to the right of the Fish Hotel. This will carry you past public toilets, the Syke Farm campsite, and the car park; after the car park, the road becomes a footpath and continues to follow a babbling beck. Just as you arrive at the shore of Crummock water, you should see a footbridge to your right. Take it, and follow the footpath along the shore. The path follows the shore-side road for about half a mile. You’ll see Rannderdale Knotts looming above you, to your right. At a parking area, the road veers away left (continuing to follow the lakeshore) and the footpath splits off to the right, inland, continuing along the entire length of the valley; in bluebell season, the view is astonishing. Follow the footpath along Squat Beck, southeast, as it gently ascends the valley. As you gain the ridge, you should see an intersection of several trails. Take a sharp right to continue along the ridge to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts, with its fine views of the lake and the valley. Retrace your steps along this ridge back to the intersection, and begin to descend, aiming for Ghyll Wood. This is a ferny, leafy, charming trail, if a bit steep, and will take you right back to the Bridge Inn.
While it may seem like a rather zig-zaggy path, this entire circuit is only about 5.25 miles with just 900 feet of elevation gain. Plus, at the end, you can enjoy a pint at one of Buttermere’s two pubs, or — even better — some of the legendary Ayrshire ice cream from Syke Farm.
