This is the ‘epic’ 125-mile Lake District road trip you can complete in just 3 days
- UK Hidden Gems
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
The road trip takes in quiet valleys, thrilling activities, remote bothies and even a stop at a wildlife park.
The Lake District is one of the UK’s most breathtaking areas, and now a travel creator has put together an unforgettable three-day road trip through its winding lanes, secret waterfalls and dramatic fells.
Spanning about 125 miles in total, the loop begins and ends in Kendal, travelling through some of Cumbria’s most scenic spots.
TikToker Sam Culley shared the full route in a viral video that’s already been watched nearly 400,000 times.
He described it as an “incredible” adventure, and it’s clear to see why. Along the way, it takes in quiet valleys, action-packed activities, remote bothies and even a wildlife park.
On the first day, the trip heads west towards Eskdale, with a stop at the National Trust campsite and a visit to Stanley Ghyll Waterfall.
Sam then hiked along the River Esk to track down hidden waterfalls before driving over the twisting Hardknott and Wrynose Pass.
Highlights included Cathedral Cave and Slater Bridge, before carrying on to Thirlmere for a sunset hike up Raven Crag. The views from the top, he said, were “truly unforgettable”.
The second day kicked off at Castlerigg Farm campsite, then continued with a drive through Keswick and across Newlands Pass to reach Buttermere.
From there, Sam climbed up to Wharnscale Bothy, known for its breathtaking window views. The route also passed waterfalls and the famous Buttermere infinity pool, before wrapping up the day at Sykes Farm campsite.
The final day brought even more excitement with a drive up Honister Pass to take on the Via Ferrata at Honister Slate Mine, one of the Lake District’s most daring adventures.
Afterwards, the journey passed Derwent Water, Bowderstone, and included a visit to the Lake District Wildlife Park, where you can see everything from lemurs to meerkats.
The trip finishes with a drive along Ullswater, a stop at the stunning Aira Force waterfall, and a final run over Kirkstone Pass through Windermere before returning to Kendal.
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