The English Lake District is one of our favourite places for a walking holiday, especially when other areas of Europe are still blanketed in snow. The routes are spectacular and the charming villages dotted around the Lakes make the entire holiday a wonderful experience.
Click ‘+MORE INFO’ below for a list of the 10 Best Hiking Trails in England’s Lake District National Park.
#1. Newlands Horseshoe (17.25km, 992m, 6.5-8.25h): This is a wonderful walk close to Keswick. With spectacular views all along the route, especially the end walking down from Catbells, we love this hike!
#2. Mosedale Horseshoe (16.1km, 923m, 6.5-8.25h): What a wonderful walk this is! Getting to the trail is one of the joys, especially if you take the steep and narrow Hardknott Pass to get there.
#3. Roman High Street Circuit (15.6km, 754m, 5-6.25h): This fine walk takes you through an untouched valley then up to the summit of Thornthwaite Crag. From there, explore the wonderful views on a great walk along an ancient Roman Road to the stunning Angle Tarn.
#4. Haystacks (8.1km, 505m, 2.5-3.25h): This is one of the gems in the Lake District and has a unique feel compared to most of the other walks in the area. It is noted as one of the favourite places for Lakes pioneer Alfred Wainwright.
#5. Scafell Pike (14.8km, 896m, 6-7.5h): This wonderful walk to the highest peak in England is much prettier and more interesting than the quicker route from Wasdale Head. A lot of variety for a big day in the Lakes!
#6. Fairfield Horseshoe (18km, 928m, 6-7.5h): Any day you can wake up and walk directly from your lodging to the trail is a great one! This wonderful route explores the peaks that surround Ambleside and is a great trip at the Lakes!
#7. Langstrath Valley (13.4km, 284m, 2.5-3.25h): The walk to the hidden Langstrath Valley is a favourite low-level walk in the Lake District. Get stunning views without the strenuous uphill the Lake District is famous for.
#8. Old Man of Coniston Circuit (13.2km, 835m, 4.5-5.75h): Walking up to Old Man of Coniston is one of the classics of the Lake District. Rather than retrace your steps back down, take this circuit and grab a few more peaks!
#9. Rannerdale Knotts (6.3km, 259m, 2-2.5h): Rannerdale Knotts is a great day trip. The drive to Buttermere is exciting and once walking you get wonderful views throughout the walk.
#10. Helvellyn via Striding and Swirral Edge (12.9km, 842m, 5.5-7h): The walk up Helvellyn is one of the classics of the Lake District. Those who don’t like heights or using their hands may not be huge fans however, as it takes the scrambly Striding Edge on the way up and Swirral Edge on the way down.
08. OLD MAN OF CONISTON CIRCUIT
10. HELVELLYN VIA STRIDING AND SWIRRAL EDGE
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity”
– John Muir