Lake District Hiking Guide: The Best Hikes In The Lake District

The Lake District has taken pride of place as perhaps my favourite place in the whole of England. As an avid hiker, it is true hiking heaven. Glacial lakes, fell mountains, quaint villages and dramatic landscapes which wouldn’t go amiss in New Zealand. It is the perfect destination for an active escape immersed in nature.

Before we jump into the top hikes in the region, please do check out my full Lake District Active Travel Guide which has practical travel tips, wild swimming spots, scenic drives, restaurant recommendations and adventurous activities you can try.

Key Lake District Travel Tips:

Pack for all weathers. The Lakes have a mountain micro climate and it rains 200 days of the year, so don’t assume that just because it is summer you’re safe from the cold. While it may be warm in the valleys it can be freezing and stormy on the peaks. Pack for ALL weathers, I literally mean hats and gloves in August.

Carry cash. I recommend carrying coins and change with you to pay for parking, as there are many pay and display machines which don’t take cards.

Be early. If you want a guaranteed parking spot then it is best to get to popular hikes early in the day, I’m talking pre-9am at least, especially in peak season. Plus this means you get to enjoy beautiful locations without the crowds.

Take a map. I recommend taking an Ordnance Survey map for the region you’re hiking in, as well as a digital map on an app such as AllTrails which uses offline GPS technology.

The Best Hikes in Lake District:

Distance: 10.56km

Elevation Gain: 729m

Difficulty: Challenging

Wild Swim Spots: Low Water.

Route: Click Here

This iconic hike takes in five peaks; The Old Man of Coniston, Brim Fell, Dow Crag, Buck Pike and Brown Pike. A challenging initial climb past Low Water (a great swimming spot) gives beautiful scenic rewards and the rest of the hike isn’t too strenuous but remains incredibly beautiful.

Distance: 14.5km

Elevation Gain: 336m

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Wild Swim Spots: Black Moss Pot & Galleny Force.

Route: Click Here

On a day with low clouds I recommend trying out a lower walk through some of the gorgeous valleys in the Lake District. This route focuses on Borrowdale, taking in various rivers, streams and waterfalls. There is the option to extend the route to take in the renowned Black Moss Pot wild swimming location.

Distance: 17.2km

Elevation Gain: 922m

Difficulty: Challenging

Wild Swim Spots: Derwentwater.

Route: Click Here

A strenuous walk with stunning views. There are a couple of big climbs as well as ongoing undulations in the trail, including summits of Hindscarth, Dale Head and High Spy. I recommend doing the trial anti-clockwise so you finish at the famous Catbells peak and views over Derwentwater.

Hopefully these hikes have got you covered for your trip to The Lakes, but if you’re looking for more options then I recommend checking out online resources such as AllTrails and Walk Lakes. If you’re looking for a physical hiking book, then I like this one and this one.

Happy hiking!

Zanna x