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 crowded. However at times you may want to explore a little without the distraction of other walkers, maybe find some peace and quiet. There are some excellent options.
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 regular Hopper Bus to Buttermere and return via the long wide ridge of Ard Crags. The views over Newlands are special.
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 and on to the Helvellyn ridge.
The steamer leaves Patterdale and crosses the lake to the quiet shoreline near Howtown (difficult to drive to). From Howtown the 8 mile walk 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 lake or nearby Wansfell.
This was a real find just to the west of the large park in Ambleside. It is a short climb and covered in bracken, hidden knolls and a couple of tarns. Extend the walk by visiting Loughrigg Tarn.
A much longer walk than 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.
Gingerbread, Wordsworth and a delectable lake are the main attractions of Grasmere. The walks up Eedale and on to the Lion and the Lamb are both very popular.
Never heard of it? Well Silver How is a knobbly hill to the west of Grasmere, typically Lakeland. There are views up Langdale as well as across Grasmere to the eastern fells.
If Seat Sandal was not a Wainwright it would be ignored. It is hidden between the Fairfield Horseshoe and the main ridge to Helvellyn. 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 busy. 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 surrouding mountains. Alternatively the lakeside is an attraction as is the ever popular Tarn Hows walk.
Very few have heard of it, let alone visited the broad expanse of wide ridge and hidden valley which is locked between the village and Wetherlam. Definitely peaceful!
I have 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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