Return to results

Withover2,000 square kilometres ofnational park and miles of coastline to explore Cumbria has much to offer the keen walker. And it's not just the fitness fanatics who can enjoy all this. The Lake District can be as mild or as wild as you like it's up to you!

There's nothing like exploring on foot and with over 20 peaks towering over 800 metres high there is always somewhere to escape the crowds and get up close and personal with nature.

The popular lakes of Coniston, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere all provide a great place for families to enjoy a pleasant amble through nature trials and woodlands. There are many guided walks and routes available at the visitor's centres - perfect for those not used to navigating themselves around such vast landscapes.

Keswick Walking Festival is held in the month of May every year. Thousands flock to enjoy the variety of events on offer. These include talks, guided day and night walks as well as navigation and photography courses. It's a great excuse for a holiday in this beautiful part of the world.

Head to the coast for some fantastic cliff side and beach walks. Enjoy five miles of sandy beach at Silecroft or the imposing red sandstone cliffs at St Bees Head. This area is also home to three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty being Arnside and Silverdale, the Solway Coast and the North Pennines, Europe's first `geo-park'.

With all this varied habitat it's no wonder Cumbria boasts some of the best wildlife sites in the whole of the UK. Look out for Ospreys in Bassenthwaite, Peregrine falcons on the coast and the inland crags, otters around the lakes and red squirrels amongst the woodlands and forests.

Some of the most popular walks in Cumbria such as Striding Edge and The Dales Way pass a number of our properties and many many more are located in THE best places for keen walkers. Just click on `browse cottages suitable for walking' to start your search for that perfect cottage close to your favourite walking destinations in the Lake District.

Walking between Grasmere and Langdale
Walking between Grasmere and Langdale

Starting at Grasmere, you can take a wonderful nine mile walk up on to the fells between Grasmere and Great Langdale; this is a great part of the country to walk in.

Loughrigg Fell Walk
Loughrigg Fell Walk

You can walk up Loughrigg Fell easily from Ambleside resulting in a great view at the top of the surrounding lakes and rivers.

Skelwith Force
Skelwith Force

Just two miles west of Ambleside Skelwith Force tumbles 15ft into the River Brathay. The footpath along the river is accessed via the National Trust car park.

Scafell Pike
Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain and was formerly named `The Pikes or `The Pikes of Scawfell'. It features in Wainwrights top six mountains and it's easy to see why.

Helvellyn
Helvellyn

There are only three other mountains in the Lake district apart from Helvellyn that are over 3,000ft and its safe to say they all command brilliant views both on the way up and at the summit.

High Pike (Caldbeck)
High Pike (Caldbeck)

In the heart of the Caldbeck fells is High Pike, the most northern peak in the lakes standing over 2000 ft. This is a summit worth climbing as when you reach the top you will have wonderful views.

Skiddaw
Skiddaw

A great lump dominating the Keswick skyline (3053 feet) which is easy to climb and provides you with a good platform for other fells.

Old Man of Coniston Walks
Old Man of Coniston Walks

Overlooking the village of Coniston is the beautiful fell known as the `Old Man of Coniston'. A part of the Furness Fells, this summit is over 800 metres high and is interesting to the eye with evidence mining that was done here years ago.

Ennerdale Valley
Ennerdale Valley

Ennerdale Valley is the home to the Ennerdale Forest and Ennerdale Lake. This is a more quiet escape from some of the more busier places in the Lake District.

Walking to Lever Waterfalls & Levers Water
Walking to Lever Waterfalls & Levers Water

If you are walking in the Coppermines Valley area then you should definitely visit the Lever Waterfalls and the reservoir of Levers Water.

Bowfell
Bowfell

A beautiful conical shaped mountain (2960 feet) of great character with grassy swards leading to exciting rock block slabs and a deserving centre of climbing and walking attention.

Hadrian's Wall Walk
Hadrian's Wall Walk

There are 84 miles of trails available allowing you to walk all the way along Hadrian's Wall, leading to a further 80 short walks branching off the trail.

Great Gable
Great Gable

A magnificent hulk (2949 feet) famous lying in the heart of The Lakes and famous for rock climbing.

Langdale Pikes
Langdale Pikes

The dramatic Langdale Pikes can be found at the head of the Langdale Valley and can often be seen from many miles away overlooking the vale.

Loughrigg Terrace Walk
Loughrigg Terrace Walk

For a low level circular walk from Ambleside, go for a stroll along the Loughrigg Terrace, providing you with spectacular views of the surrounding central Lakeland fells.

Lake District Maps
Lake District Maps

`Lake District Maps' is a unique and helpful website that enables visitors to purchase a variety of family friendly walking routes and maps.

Walking up Hallin Fell
Walking up Hallin Fell

To experience one of the best panoramic views of Lake Ullswater, you should hike up Hallin Fell which is situated mid way down the lake and is part of the well known `kink' in the length of the waters.

Walk around Tarn Hows
Walk around Tarn Hows

The beautiful area around Tarn Hows is a very popular place for tourists, with three adjoining tarns uniquely surrounded with a mass of coniferous woodland.

Lodore Falls
Lodore Falls

A popular place to visit in the Borrowdale Valley is the Lodore Falls, a waterfall which is formed by the Watendath Beck and is located near the southern end of Derwentwater.