Quiet Walks from the Busiest Places, Lake District

February 2, 2022

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.

Quiet walks from Keswick

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.

1. Dodd and the Allerdale Ramble
Near Dodd to Causey Pike

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

2. Buttermere to Keswick (1 Way via Bus)
Summit of Ard Crags

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.

Full Walk Details

Quiet walks from Glenridding/Patterdale

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.

1. Sheffield Pike
Sheffield Pike from Glenridding Dodd

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.

Full Walk Details

2. Howtown to Patterdale (1 Way via Steamer)
Ullswater

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.

Full Walk Details

Quiet walks from Ambleside

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.

1. Lily Tarn Walk
Lily Tarn

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.

Full Walk Details

2. Dove Crag & Red Screes
Summit of Red Screes

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.

Full Walk Details

Quiet walks from Grasmere

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.

1. Silver How
Langdale Valley

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.

Full Walk Details

2. Seat Sandal
Seat Sandal from Lion & the Lamb

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.

Full Walk Details

Quiet walks from Windermere/Bowness

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.

1. Low Fells over Windermere
Tarn near School Knotts

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.

Full Walk Details

2. North of Orrest Head
Orrest Head looking north (where the walk goes)

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.

Full Walk Details

Quiet walks from Coniston

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.

1. Yewdale Crag
Tilberthwaite

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!

Full Walk Details

2. Latterbarrow from Hawkshead
Latterbarrow

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.

Full Walk Details

Enjoy your walking

Jonathan

1 Comment
  • Mark Cresswell says:

    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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Discover more from Where2Walk

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading