Most visitors to the main towns and villages of the Lake District gravitate to the most popular walks. It is natural and in most cases the walks are excellent…but busy. However at times you may want to explore a little without the distraction of other walkers. The peace and quiet pou will find brings it’s own satisfaction, but it will also bring you the confidence in yourself to explore further.
The walks below (two from each) can all be taken directly from the towns/villages of Keswick, Ambleside, Grasmere, Coniston and Windermere/Kendal and Glenridding/Patterdale. There is no need to get in a car and find car parking for the start of the walk, start from where you are staying.
Whilst the shores of Derwentwater, Walla Crag and the direct route up Skiddaw will be busy for most of the year the following two walks will not.
Contrast a sharp climb through the woods to Dodd on the slopes of Skiddaw with a lovely walk on the floodpain and the villages of Applethwaite and Millbeck.
Full Walk Details
A one way walk. Take the reliable Hopper Bus from Keswick to Buttermere and return via the long wide ridge of Ard Crags. The views over Newlands are special. A low level walk through the passes of Newlands is another option.
Glenridding and Patterdale are the base for the most popular Lakeland walk, the climb of Helvellyn. If the crowds are not on Helvellyn they are down on the waterside of Ullswater.
A 2,000+ foot mountain overlooking the car park at Glenridding. A steep climb to the wide ridge with great views down Ullswater. Then take the quiet undulating ridge with unusual views towards Helvellyn.
Theregular Ullswater steamer leaves Patterdale and crosses the lake to the quiet shoreline near Howtown (a long drive). From Howtown the 8 mile walk back to Patterdale follows the shoreline closely.
The very busy town of Ambleside is often packed with those not walking far (if at all). Those who do walk tend to head for the Windermere of Rydal Water, possibly venturing on to the slopes of Wansfell.
This was a real find just to the west of the large park in Ambleside. It is a short, straightforward climb and covered in bracken, hidden knolls and a couple of tarns. Extend the walk by visiting Loughrigg Tarn.
A much longer walk than a visit to Lily Tarn starts on the busy Fairfield Round. However the second section crosses some remote country to the lovely top and ridge of Red Screes. Here it is peaceful.
Gingerbread, Wordsworth and a delectable lake are the main attractions of Grasmere. The walks up Easedale and on to the Lion and the Lamb are both very popular.
Never heard of it? Well Silver How is an undulating fell to the west of Grasmere, typically Lakeland with many knolls and hidden hollows. The views up Langdale are excellent as well as across Grasmere towards the Eastern fells.
If Seat Sandal was not a Wainwright even less people would visit it. It is hidden between the Fairfield Horseshoe and the main ridge to Helvellyn with low cols separating the fell. Grisedale Tarn is included for a lovely circuit.
Windermere and Bowness are the most places in the Lake District. It is not where walkers tend to base themselves, except those heading to the shores of the lake or as a base to drive to the more remote places.
This is a real find. Head out of Windermere to the east and after a short climb to School Knotts drop down to some quiet tarns set in peaceful countryside.
The small hill of Orrest Head, near Windermere station, is a popular climb. However continue north from the view finder and discover some peaceful walking trough the fields and woods.
Coniston is the base for the popular walk up Coniston Old Man and the surrounding mountains. Alternatively the lakeside is an attraction as is the ever popular Tarn Hows walk.
Very few have heard of Yewdale Crag, let alone visited the broad expanse of wide ridge and hidden valley which is locked between Coniston village and Wetherlam. It is definitely peaceful!
I have cheated a little and included a walk from nearby Hawkshead. A short sharp climb rises to the excellent view finder on Latterbarrow before dropping in to the quiet, wooded lands of Beatrix Potter country.
Enjoy your walking
Jonathan
Hi Jonathon, Some nice options.Lily Tarn and Todd Crag are lovely.Some of the Outerlying Wainwright’s are lovely.Our favourites are the Blawith Fells south of Coniston,the Dunnerdale Horseshoe from Broughton Mills and a great little pub at the end. Mark
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