Best Walks in Cumbria (Lake District)
Written by UK Hidden Gems Editorial
Updated 5 August 2026
The best walks in Cumbria (Lake District) are Old Man of Coniston, Cat Bells, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Blencathra, Fleetwith Pike, Great Langdale and Raven Crag.
The Lake District holds some of the finest walking country in England, a landscape of high fells, deep valleys and clear lakes that has drawn walkers for generations. Its routes range from serious mountain ascents to gentle lakeside strolls, so there is something here for every level of fitness and experience.
You can tackle the well-trodden climb up the Old Man of Coniston, test a steady head on the ridges of Blencathra, or take the easy circuit around Buttermere with its rock-cut tunnel. Cat Bells offers a popular family climb above Derwentwater, while Fleetwith Pike rises steeply at the head of Buttermere.
There are dramatic passes too, at Honister with its working slate mine, and valleys like Great Langdale ringed by rocky pikes. Raven Crag repays a steep forest climb with a classic view down Thirlmere.
Always check the weather, carry proper gear and choose a route to match your ability. Here are eight of the best walks to seek out in Cumbria (Lake District).
Old Man of Coniston
Photo: Mick Garratt via Geograph.org.uk
Old Man of Coniston is a fell rising above the village of Coniston and its lake in the southern Lake District, one of the most popular hills in the area to climb. Well-trodden paths lead up to a summit cairn on a slate platform, with a wide view over the southern fells, Morecambe Bay and, on a clear day, the Isle of Man.
The mountain rises to about 803 metres, a proper ascent needing fitness and care. Its lower slopes are riddled with old copper mines and slate quarries, and walkers pass spoil heaps, ruined workings and the tarns of Low Water and Levers Water on the way up.
Cat Bells
Photo: DS Pugh via Geograph.org.uk
Cat Bells is a small fell on the western shore of Derwentwater, a few miles from Keswick. Its rocky top gives an aerial view down over the lake, and the ridge climbs to it in two clear steps with one short, easy scramble along the way.
The path up from Hawse End is one of the most popular family walks in the Lakes, a smaller and friendlier climb than the higher fells. The bare, grassy ridge carries on south toward the higher hills beyond.
Seek it out for a rewarding climb that suits walkers of most abilities.
Honister Pass
Photo: Raymond Knapman via Geograph.org.uk
Honister Pass is a high, steep road linking Borrowdale and Buttermere, climbing to over a thousand feet with gradients as sharp as one in four. At the top stands the Honister Slate Mine, the last working slate mine in England, still cutting green slate and offering underground tours and a via ferrata up the crag.
Fleetwith Pike and Dale Head rise above the pass, hemming the road in with fell. It makes a dramatic drive between the two valleys and a striking start point for walks onto the surrounding hills.
Seek it out for the pass itself and the routes that climb from it.
Buttermere
Photo: Anne Burgess via Geograph.org.uk
Buttermere is a lake and a tiny village set deep among the fells of the north-western Lake District, one of the loveliest and least spoiled corners of the region. The lake is a long, clear sheet of water cradled between steep mountains, with a path running right around its shore, an easy and much-loved walk of about four and a half miles.
Partway round, the path passes through a short tunnel cut through solid rock. The little village has a couple of old inns and a small church on a knoll, while Haystacks, Red Pike and their neighbours rise all around.
Seek it out for a gentle shoreline circuit far from the busier lakes.
Blencathra
Photo: Philip Halling via Geograph.org.uk
Blencathra is one of the great fells of the northern Lake District, a bold mountain of 868 metres rising steeply above Threlkeld. Also known as Saddleback, it presents a striking front of steep ridges and deep gullies to the south.
It is celebrated among walkers for two routes in particular: Hall's Fell, a fine scrambly ridge that climbs straight to the summit, and Sharp Edge, a narrow, exposed rock arete above Scales Tarn that calls for a steady head and a sure foot. From the top the view sweeps over the northern fells, the Solway and, on a clear day, the hills of Scotland.
This is a serious ascent for fit, experienced walkers, well worth seeking out.
Fleetwith Pike
Photo: Tom Richardson via Geograph.org.uk
Fleetwith Pike is a fell rising steeply at the head of Buttermere, standing over the top of the Honister Pass. Its sharp north-west ridge, Fleetwith Edge, climbs straight up from the valley near Gatesgarth, ringed by crags, a steep and demanding ascent for confident fell walkers.
Low on this ridge stands a white memorial cross to Fanny Mercer, a young woman killed in a fall here in 1887, a reminder to take care on the mountain. From the summit the view runs down over Buttermere and the surrounding fells.
Seek it out for a bold climb and far-reaching views.
Great Langdale
Photo: DS Pugh via Geograph.org.uk
Great Langdale is a valley in the heart of the Lake District, west of Ambleside, ringed by the rocky summits of the Langdale Pikes. Farms, drystone walls and a scatter of houses fill the valley floor, with the old inns at Dungeon Ghyll long tied to fell walking and climbing.
Paths climb from the valley onto the Pikes, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags, past the fall of Dungeon Ghyll Force and up to Stickle Tarn. Much of the land belongs to the National Trust.
Seek it out as a base for walks ranging from valley strolls to demanding climbs onto the high fells.
Raven Crag
Photo: Michael Graham via Geograph.org.uk
Raven Crag is a craggy fell on the western side of the Thirlmere reservoir, its steep face rising above the water near the dam. A steep path climbs through forestry to the wooded summit, ending in made paths and a boardwalk to a viewpoint on the brink of the crag, which gives a classic view straight down the length of Thirlmere and over the dam.
Just behind the summit is Castle Crag, a smaller top holding the earth ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort. The fell rises to about 461 metres.
Seek it out for a short but steep climb to a memorable viewpoint.
FAQs
Which of these Lake District walks are easiest?
Cat Bells is a small, popular family fell with one short, easy scramble, and the circuit around Buttermere is a level lakeside walk of about four and a half miles. Both suit walkers of most abilities in good conditions.
Are any of these walks serious mountain ascents?
Yes. The Old Man of Coniston, Blencathra and Fleetwith Pike are proper mountain climbs that need fitness and care. Blencathra's Sharp Edge in particular is a narrow, exposed arete calling for a steady head and a sure foot.
What can you see from the summits?
On a clear day the Old Man of Coniston looks out over Morecambe Bay and the Isle of Man, while Blencathra's view sweeps to the Solway and the hills of Scotland. Raven Crag gives a classic view straight down Thirlmere.
Conclusion
The Lake District offers walkers a considerable range of routes, from gentle shoreline circuits to demanding mountain ascents. Easier days out include the popular family climb up Cat Bells and the level path around Buttermere with its rock-cut tunnel, while Great Langdale and Honister Pass give access to fells for every level.
For those with fitness, experience and a steady head, the Old Man of Coniston, Blencathra with its scrambly ridges, and the steep edge of Fleetwith Pike are proper mountains that repay the effort with sweeping views. Raven Crag adds a short, sharp climb to a classic viewpoint over Thirlmere.
Always match the route to your ability, watch the weather and carry the right kit. Whether you want an easy amble or a serious summit, these are the best walks to seek out in Cumbria (Lake District).
