Lake District Walking Tour

Make your own way to Keswick, located in the heart of the northern lakes, nestled between Derwent Water and the towering Skiddaw peak. This lively market town, with its agricultural and industrial history, revolves around the historic Moot Hall, which once served as a courthouse and jail and is now a tourist office. Keswick is home to a range of outdoor shops, restaurants, an old cinema, a theatre, and even a pencil museum, where graphite was first discovered in the surrounding fells and used for marking sheep. There's plenty to explore, even on rainy days, including boat trips, a variety of pubs, and, if time allows, a short walk to the Keswick Stone Circle, a Neolithic structure offering breathtaking views.

This walk is suitable for most weather conditions and takes you all the way around Derwent Water. You can shorten the route by taking a ferry to various points along the lake. The path gently winds along the water's edge, occasionally following roads where direct lake access isn't possible. Along the way, you'll spot the striking Centenary Stone sculpture in the water. A brief detour leads to Lodore Falls, which are especially dramatic after rain. Crossing the 'Chinese Bridge' on the southern side of the lake, you'll return to Keswick via Lingholm, Beatrix Potter's former home, where you can enjoy a café and walled gardens. The route also takes you through lovely mixed woodlands, and on a warm day, you might even want to take a refreshing swim in one of the quieter bays or beaches on the lake’s southwestern side.

At 931 meters (3,054 ft), Skiddaw is the sixth-highest mountain in England. Dominating the skyline of Keswick and the northern lakes, it is one of the easier peaks in the Lake District to climb at this height. The route passes over a smaller peak called Little Man, which can be bypassed, though it provides the best views of Derwent Water. On clear days, the wide summit ridge offers stunning views of Bassenthwaite Lake and the remote fells to the north. While it’s easiest to descend the same way you came, there’s also a steep route down to villages south of Skiddaw, followed by a cross-country trail back into Keswick. If the weather is unfavorable on the peaks, but the views remain, there’s a shorter option to Latrigg, a famous viewpoint. From there, you can continue on a circular walk through Brundholme Woods, returning to Keswick.

This delightful "figure of 8" walk begins with an ascent to the popular Castlerigg Stone Circle, then takes you along quieter trails to the peaceful St. John’s in the Vale, a charming valley with a small church. You’ll follow a scenic lane above St. John’s Beck, passing through woods and fields, with the opportunity to stop for tea at Low Bridge Farm. After crossing the A591 road, you can shorten the walk by taking a bus back to Keswick, or continue along a minor road around Thirlmere, then follow tracks via Shoulthwaite and Shaw Bank, retracing part of the path in reverse before heading through fields and into the trees of Springs Wood on your way back to Keswick. For those seeking a longer walk, a short bus ride to Borrowdale leads to a low to medium-level linear walk along the Cumbria Way. Enjoy the scenic route as you follow the River Derwent to the stunning, island-studded Derwentwater. The Cumbria Way hugs the valley floor and lakeshore, offering opportunities to stop for coffee or lunch at a café in Grange-in-Borrowdale, or to picnic along the lakeside. If you wish to extend the walk, you can make a detour from Hawse End to climb the beautiful little peak of Catbells.

This stunning walk is perhaps the best of the holiday and should be saved for a clear, sunny day. Newlands is a hidden gem, a tranquil area of farms and pastures nestled behind the popular peak of Catbells, far removed from the bustle of Keswick. After a pause to enjoy the breathtaking views, the walk continues up to Maiden Moor, then on to High Spy. From there, you’ll follow cairns across the moors, descending to Dale Head Tarn, before climbing steeply to Dale Head at the top of the Newlands Valley. After briefly skirting the head of Buttermere, the path descends sharply through heather and bracken along Hindscarth Ridge into the Newlands Valley. Leaving the fells, you’ll pass through farms on your way to Little Town, which is more of a hamlet than a village. There’s no public transport here, and no pub, but a farm café usually provides refreshments near the end of the walk. From there, you can either walk out or arrange a taxi from Keswick. Alternatively, you can take public transport further along or walk back to Keswick via the village of Portinscale.

After a short bus ride to the hamlet of Scales, this scenic walk takes you up Blencathra (868 m / 2,848 ft) via a remote path near Scales Fell, leading to the oval-shaped Scales Tarn, nestled in the upper part of a small valley. From here, a short but steep climb takes you to the summit, where you’ll follow the broad ridge all the way to Blease Fell at the ridge's end. The descent is easy, leading you back to the Blencathra Centre. From here, you can either walk back through Brundholme Wood along the woodland road or follow the railway track back to town. Alternatively, you can head down to the charming village of Threlkeld, where you'll find a couple of pubs and a coffee shop. A bus runs every hour, offering a convenient ride back to Keswick.

After breakfast, the tour concludes as you depart Keswick.