England's varied and vibrant countryside is the perfect setting for wonderful walking routes for those willing to explore them. The Lake District is certainly one of those places where there is so much beautiful scenery that it becomes impossible to decide where to go. Goboony is here to help you out! We will show you our 7 favourite Lake District walking routes and an added extra - our top choice for campsites in the region!
1.Skiddaw - Dodd
A great circular walk in the Lake District is the route between Skiddaw and the summit of Dodd. The surroundings are stunning with many species of evergreen trees giving shelter on a windy day and it's the perfect choice for those who don’t want to wait until summer. Located just 4 miles north of Keswick, it is the ideal walk for your Lake District getaway.
2.Scafell Pike Mountain Corridor Route
Fancy climbing England’s tallest mountain? Scafell Pike towers at 978 meters and is considered by many to be the hardest mountain to climb in the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ (the other two being Snowdon and Ben Nevis). Neverthelesss, there are manageable routes to the top if you are willing to take the challenge and the Corridor route is one of the best. While it is certainly not an easy walk in the Lake District, its gentle gradients and fabulous views make it a rewarding day out. The path is very popular and begins in the small hamlet of Seathwaite, in the Borrowdale Valley where there is even free parking! You have to stop at Great End and Broad Crag and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountainous Lake District landscape.
3.Catbells Lakeland Walk
The Catbells Lakeland walk is at the top of our list of favourite Lake District walking routes and even has a Tripadvisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’. It's a short walk of 3.7 miles (6 km) and was categorised as an easy walk in the Lake District by Walk Lakes. If you want to enjoy the unforgettable surroundings, but not be too exhausted at the end then this is the perfect choice for you. From the top of the ridge you will be able to take in the beautiful views of Derwentwater lake and to the north you will be able to spot nearby Keswick. Make sure to check out this cosy little town with its tearooms and array of attractions. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Derwent Pencil Museum while you’re there - become a pencil expert!
4. Greendale and Middle Fell - Western Fells
If you're looking for a walk where you can enjoy the seclusion and tranquility of nature, look no further than the Western Fells. This is a generally quieter area of the Lake District where you can enjoy the scenery more at your own pace. The 3.5 mile walk through the Greendale and Middle Fell has fantastic rewards for those who make it to the top! While it has relatively rough paths and a fair smattering of steep uphills, the views of the Isle of Man from the top and the surrounding peaks makes it well worth the effort. It is certainly one of the Lake District’s best circular walks. It can be difficult to reach the start of the route by public transport but is easily accessible by car (or campervan!) via the A595 turn off to Gosforth, Just follow the signs for Nether Wasdale and then make your way to Wastwater Lake shore.
5. Borger Dalr
For those with an interest in the past this is the perfect circular Lake District walk for you! The walk takes you to the summit of Castle Crag where you will find the remains of a 2000 year old fort and a bit further along at Peace How you can experience the tranquility sought here by former soldiers after the First World War. The area of Borger Dalr was described by well known fell walker Alfred Wainwright as the ‘finest square mile in Lakeland’ and it well deserves this title with amazing vistas of the Lake District and an impressive insight into the different geology of the region.
6.Tom Gill to Tarn Hows
Are you looking for an easy but spectacular walk in the Lake District? Then this is the walk for you! While it is relatively short at 1.6 miles long, it packs in so much stunning scenery that you will be immersed in a vast magical mountain world. The route between Tom Gill and Tarn Hows also has a path suitable for mobility scooters and push chairs, meaning it is generally suitable to walk in all seasons. Image the views in the snow! Visitors choosing to hike in the summer may even get an ice cream in the carpark. What more convincing do you need?
7. Friar’s Crag
Our final recommendation is the walk up Friar’s Crag. John Ruskin named it as one of the most beautiful scenes in Europe and those of you who make it to the top will see why. Breathtaking views over Derwent Isle, the lake and the surrounding woodland are worth taking a while to appreciate. Take a seat on the well located bench and take it all in! If you are looking to explore the universe, Friar Crag could be the perfect place to start. As there is so little light pollution in the region, on clear nights you will be able to enjoy fantastic images in the night sky. Make sure to pack a good telescope and a torch and who knows maybe you will discover a new world!
Where to camp in the Lake District
1. Park Cliffe
Park Cliffe is perfectly located to discover the wonders of Windermere, England’s largest lake and the southern park of the Lake District National Park. It is situated in 25 acres of stunning landscape and has even been awarded a Golden Conservation Award from David Bellamy for its environmental work. If you are looking to relax and discover the wonders of nature, this is certainly the campsite for you! Families at this wonderful campsite include a licensed shop for you to stock up on your essentials and local produce, a bar and restaurant serving local fare, an outdoor children’s play area, a games room and importantly lovely shower and toilet with headed floors and dedicated family areas. If you are lucky you may even spot Taylor the campsite cat!
Price starts from £27 per night
GPS: 54.310293, -2.937753
Windermere LA23 3PG, UK
2. The Quiet Site
Located at another of the Lake District’s beautiful lakes, the multi-award winning Quiet Site sits near Ullswater and its unforgettably scenery. For those who enjoy outdoor pursuits it is the perfect location with a host of possibilities nearby from hiking to fun on the lake. A big draw of this campsite is its amazing bar! The Quiet Bar is situated in a 17th century barn, features regular live music performances, has children’s areas and is a wonderful space to hang out and relax in. It is the perfect place to make those special holiday memories! Concerned about the environment? You can rest easy at the Quiet Site as all hot water is provided by solar energy and is free of charge. There are hard standings available, electric hook-ups, water points, a laundry room, a motorhome service point and much more.
Price starts from £35 per night
GPS: 54.604855, -2.883321
Ullswater, Penrith CA11 0LS, UK
3. Castlerigg Hall
With a variety of pitch options from lake views to woodland seclusion, Castlerigg Hall campsite is ideal if you like the choice of where to stay the night. It has panoramic views of Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater and is short drive away from Keswick, so is perfectly located for accessing many of the walks explored above! With a fully tiled heated amenity block, a campers kitchen, laundry room and shop offering a large range of products, you are sure to find everything you need in this stunning Lake District campsite.
All of these campsites are also included in the ‘3 Lakes Tour’, a deal offering you the chance to stay the night at each of the major lakes (Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere) and enjoy discounts on various lake cruises.
Price starts from £29.95 per night
GPS: 54.592929, -3.113032
Keswick CA12 4TE, UK
Make sure to have a fantastic time in the beauty of the Lake District! What better way to enjoy the freedom of the road and the wonders of nature than in a campervan or motorhome with Goboony! If you're looking to extend your trip, you could always drive to the North Pennines next.
