9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
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Looking for some easy walks in the Lake District? You’ve come to the right place. Use this guide to help you find the best and easiest walks in the Lake District.
Need an easy walk in the Lake District?
I’ve been there!
You’re nearing the end of your trip, your legs are tired, your feet are covered in blisters, and you’ve tackled enough altitude possible for one trip.
All you want is an easy walk that doesn’t require getting too out of breath.
Luckily, there are hundreds of easy walks in the Lake District, and some have some great views too.
Whether you want a circular walk around the tarns, a peaceful stroll to a waterfall, or a scenic viewpoint without a treacherous climb, I’ve listed them in this post.
Below are some of the easiest walks in the Lake District, some of which are suitable for families, small children, dogs, nans, you name it – everyone can have a go!
Check out my post: 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide) before hiking in the Lake District!
Visiting the Lake District? Check out these other posts!
- Lake District Solo Travel: Ultimate Guide (2022)
- Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots
- Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
- 10 EPIC Things to Do in Grasmere, Lake District (2022)
Easy Walks in the Lake District
Some of the walks in this Lake District post are a tiny bit harder than others. At the bottom of each section, I have broken down the difficulty, length of time, elevation and distance of the walk.
I’ve used ‘traffic light’ colours to help:
Green
You only need minimal fitness levels for these easy Lake District walks. Flat or very low incline walk, usually a shorter distance, and takes under an hour to complete. Dog-friendly, wheelchair friendly, pushchair friendly… easily walked by everyone and anyone.
Amber
Average fitness levels are required for these Lake District. Mainly flat walks but with some slight uphill climbs. Can be walked by most people (including those with a fear of heights).
Red
Average fitness levels are required for these Lake District walks.
Walks will generally include some craggy edges and rocky terrains. Can be a steeper incline and slightly higher altitudes, but in general, can still be completed by most (including those with a fear of heights).
Again, all of the walks below can be considered as ‘easy’ walks to do in the Lake District National Park (Helvellyn and Scafell Pike obviously didn’t make it onto the list).
But the traffic light system just makes it easier to decide who you’re bringing with you on your Lake District walk.
For example, is your 90-year-old nan coming along for this one?!
Check out my post: 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide) before hiking in the Lake District!
1) Tarn Hows
Green
One of my favourite easy walks in the Lake District National Park is the Tarn Hows circular loop.
The entire circular route can be completed in under an hour, but you’ll probably want to budget a bit of extra time to admire the scenery and take some photos.
Step off the path to find all the different nooks and crannies, and hidden gems amongst the forest.
Although the tarn cannot be swum in due to scientific research, it’s one that can be easily appreciated from land.
Tarn Hows can be completed by anyone and requires minimal fitness.
The path circles the tarn and starts directly from the National Trust car park.
There are plenty of benches and large grassy areas for you to stop on the circular route and take a break or lay out the picnic blanket and have some lunch.
It’s a great start for an easy Lake District walk.
Distance: 3.2km / 2 miles
Time: 1 hour
Postcode: LA22 0PW
Closest village: Coniston
Dog-friendly, wheelchair friendly, toilets located in the main car park. No wild swimming is allowed and there are no food or drink points, so take your own snacks and water.
Check out the Tarn Hows Lake District National Park map here.
Whilst visiting the Lake District, I’d highly recommend wearing hiking boots. It made the walks a lot easier and I was much more stable when scrambling, especially in my favourite Columbia walking boots!
2) Blea Tarn
Green
Another super easy circular walk in the Lake District is the route around Blea Tarn.
Perfect for beginners or hikers who want to admire a view without breaking a sweat.
Blea Tarn is located in the heart of the Langdales and boasts a stunning backdrop of the Langdale Pikes.
The walk is one of the easiest to access with a car park directly opposite, and mostly flat surfaces to walk on. However, some of the paths are a bit more rugged than Tarn Hows and can have a few loose stones and rocks that need to be avoided.
One thing to note when visiting Blea Tarn is the drive up to the car park. The road is quite narrow and gets steeper the closer you get to the tarn.
For many, this isn’t a problem, but it’s just something to bear in mind when visiting!
One of my favourite easy Lake District walks!
Distance: 2.9km / 1.8 miles
Time: 1 hour
Postcode: LA22 9PG
Closest village: Grasmere/Coniston
Dog-friendly, wheelchair friendly, no toilets available. Wild swimming allowed! No food or drink facilities.
Check out the Blea Tarn National Park map and Lake District map here.
I recommend purchasing a Dry Robe before visiting the Lakes, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water. And you can easily get dressed and undressed in complete privacy, right in the middle of the wild! Mine is a lifesaver
3) Latrigg
Green
Without a doubt, Latrigg is one of the best scenic spots in the Lake District without a strenuous uphill climb. It is a great easy walk in the Lake District.
The Latrigg viewpoint is a short 15-minute uphill walk (with an easy incline) from the Underskiddaw car park.
Even before you reach the Latrigg viewpoint, you will see mountains that look like they’re straight off a postcard.
The path to the viewpoint has a slight incline, but it is still one of the easiest walks in the Lake District with an incredible view.
Walk alongside grazing sheep and admire the views as you reach the point where you can admire the town of Keswick and Derwent Water from above.
I’ll be honest, you’ll be stretched to find another ‘green’ easy walk with such breathtaking views.
(And my top tip for your visit is to arrive at Latrigg either at sunrise or sunset just to add to this wonderful experience!)
It’s one of the great easy walks to add to your Lake District itinerary.
Distance: 0.7 miles
Time: 15-20 minutes
Postcode: CA12 4NG
Closest village: Keswick
Dog friendly. Some bumpy gravel but no rocky surfaces and an uphill gradient. No toilets are available. No food or drink facilities.
Check out the Latrigg Lake District map here.
🗺️ My Lake District must-have: If you’re wild swimming, make sure you pack a Microfibre towel (and this one linked is super pretty too). They make life easier when getting in and out of the water, they’re portable and easy to carry on any kind of day trip. I’ve had mine for years and use it on every lake trip!
4) Ravenglass Roman Bath House
Green
The Roman Bathhouse is a short and accessible walk that can be completed by everyone. It is in the west of the Lake District national park.
It’s a perfect stop for the end of your trip to the lakes to soak up that last bit of history and culture.
The short easy stroll leads to the remains of the bathhouse of Ravenglass Roman fort, which was established over 2000 years ago.
The remains are one of the last largest surviving Roman structures in England, with walls as high as 4 metres!
The Roman Bathhouse is one of the easy walks in the Lake District and one that can be completed by anyone.
Distance: 2.2km / 1.4 miles
Time: 1 hour
Postcode: CA18 1SN
Closest village: Ravenglass
Dog-friendly, wheelchair friendly. Toilets and refreshments are available in Ravenglass, but none on the route. No incline, craggy edges, or elevation.
Check out the Ravenglass short walk map here.
🗺️ My Lake District must-have: A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.
5) Buttermere Circular Walk
Amber
One of our first amber-graded easy walking trails is on the incredible Buttermere circular lake loop.
Rated amber due to its slightly longer distance and gravel terrain, the Buttermere circular walk takes you right around the lake and back again.
One of the more popular easy walks in the Lake District, the walk will take you around 2 hours and will certainly not disappoint.
As the walk can get pretty busy, I’d recommend getting up early and enjoying the lake at its quietest.
Like Latrigg, Buttermere looks best at either sunset or sunrise and has lots of places for you to just pause, think and enjoy the peace and quiet.
If you’re lucky, you may spot a wild otter, red squirrel, or deer roaming around the lake, especially if you’ve arrived up before the crowds!
Start your walk by The Fish Inn, follow the signs for the lake, and begin your route anti-clockwise.
The terrain is easy to walk on, but some parts are narrow paths, loose stone, and gravel, making it a tad more awkward for less mobile walkers.
Car parks at both ends of the lake. Stop at the Bridge Inn pub is recommended for lunch (and a well-earned pint of beer).
A lovely walk for all!
Distance: 7.2 km / 5.4 miles
Time: 2 hours
Postcode: CA13 9XA
Closest village: Keswick/Cockermouth
Dog friendly, wheelchair friendly but with some narrow paths and bumpier terrains. Toilets, food, and drink are available in Buttermere, but none on the route. Wild swimming allowed.
Check out the Buttermere map here.
A bit of an over-packer? I have the answer! I use these handy packing cubes for every trip, meaning I can pack nearly 2 times as much as I could without! They are so worth investing in!
6) Stock Ghyll Force, Ambleside
Amber
Another easy amber walk in the Lake District is the scenic short hike up to a 70-foot waterfall.
The walk begins just a short distance from the centre of the village of Ambleside, right behind the Salutation Hotel.
Stock Ghyll is an amber walk due to a steeper incline than the previous walks, with more difficult terrain including rocky steps, grounded tree roots, and uneven gravel.
Low level of fitness is required, but less mobile walkers may find the terrain trickier.
It took us around 20 minutes to reach the top of the waterfall from Ambleside, and was well signposted and directed by a clear footpath.
The easy walk is well worth the views, and it’s one of the shorter walks and most scenic routes on the list (but just has a bit of elevation).
Distance: 1.4km / 0.9 miles
Time: 20 minutes
Postcode: LA22 0QT
Closest village: Ambleside
Dog friendly. A steep incline with uneven terrain with forest surroundings. No toilets or refreshments are available (but lots of pit stops in the village of Ambleside are only 20 minutes away). Bins and benches are along the path in various locations.
Wild swimming and have valuable tech on you? Don’t forget to buy a waterproof phone case (so you can still take photos!) and a dry bag. You’ll never have to worry about damaging expensive tech again!
7) Aira Force, Ullswater
Amber
Another easy walk is in the north of the Lake District.
It is one of the most famous waterfalls in the area, Aira Force.
The easiest way to see the waterfall is via a 2.1km circular loop, with an adjoining car park for ease of access.
The loop is abundant with wildlife and ancient trees, dating back thousands of years.
It will take you to the base of the waterfall and back round to the car park.
It’s an easy one, but I don’t recommend wheelchairs and pushchairs because of the uneven terrain.
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 1 hour
Postcode: CA11 0JY
Closest village: Glenridding
Dog friendly. The waterfall is not accessible by wheelchair and suitable footwear is advised. Most of the path is rugged and uneven. Toilets located in the car park, and a small cafe is also situated near the waterfall serving refreshments.
🗺️ My Lake District must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!
8) Helm Crag
Red
The first of the two ‘red’ easy walks on my list is the wonderful Helm Crag.
Definitely harder than the circular tarn loops, but still a lot easier than some of the higher peaks in the area.
Whilst the summit only reaches 341m, the view from the top of the crag still packs a punch.
As someone who’s ridiculously afraid of heights, a tiny bit of scrambling over some rocks was probably the furthest my limits can go!
The path is quite steep and you will have to step over some larger boulders to reach a good viewpoint.
The walk isn’t too exposed and has a lot of greenery surrounding you at all times (perfect for those with a fear of heights).
You will need a basic level of fitness to complete the walk due to the steeper incline of the path.
You’ll be able to see Helm Crag from the small village of Grasmere, due to its notable rocky edge.
Wear good outdoor shoes to have a comfortable experience reaching the top of the crag.
The results at the top are just incredible! If you have a clear view of Grasmere and the surrounding areas, the mountainous scenery looks just like Canada or New Zealand!
We spent around an hour at the top just soaking up the view of the Lake District!
Even if you have a fear of heights (like me), try Helm Crag.
It’s an ascent that takes a bit of physical determination but has no sheer edges or exposure to drops.
This makes it a perfect climb for a wonderful viewpoint at a higher altitude.
Distance: 6.4 km / 4 miles
Elevation: 341m
Time: 2.5 hours
Postcode: LA22 9SW
Closest village: Grasmere
**CHECK OUT MY FULL GUIDE ON WALKING HELM CRAG HERE**
Dog friendly. Not accessible for wheelchair users or pushchairs. A steep incline with rocky edges and uneven terrain. No toilets or refreshments on route. Suitable outdoor shoes are needed.
9) Loughrigg Fell
Red
The final ‘red’ walk on my list is Loughrigg Fell, which can take up quite a few hours of your day.
Known for being one of the easier, but more extensive, walks to do in the Lake District, the route starts from Ambleside Church and has a distance of around 6.5 miles (10.5 km).
You’ll stroll around tarns, rolling hills, and even have a view of Grasmere and Rydal Water from a high vantage point.
I’ve scored Loughrigg Fell as a red route due to its altitude reaching 360m and the loop taking around 4 hours (and even longer if you keep stopping for photos).
You do need a basic level of fitness, and a steady head for heights to take on some of the steeper sections.
Be careful as there are a few ‘false summits’ near to the top of the fell.
The final summit has a few rocks to sit on and take in your surroundings, although it can get pretty windy and you might want to start your descent sooner rather than later!
From the top, you will be able to spot Lake Windermere, Loughrigg Tarn, and the Langdale Valley, with parts of Grasmere and Elterwater.
It is just beautiful and definitely one I’d recommend for anyone who doesn’t like strenuous hikes up high altitudes.
Like I said, it’s a ‘red’ walk, but it’s still one of the easier walks to do in the Lake District!
Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
Elevation: 341m
Time: 4 hours
Postcode: LA22 9SB
Closest village: Ambleside
Dog friendly. Not accessible for wheelchair users or pushchairs. A steep incline with rocky edges and uneven terrain. No toilets or refreshments on route. Suitable outdoor shoes are needed.
🗺️ My Lake District must-have: I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!
Easy Walks in the Lake District: In a Nutshell
If you’re planning on a trip to the Lake District, you’ll probably be planning lots of hikes and walks to keep you busy.
For the adrenaline junkies, you may want to attempt to climb the higher peaks like Scafell Pike, Skiddaw and Helvellyn, and combine these with some of the easier walks in the Lake District.
If you would rather avoid high altitudes and steep drops (like myself), the walks in this post are much better suited and still show you the real heart of the Lake District.
My boyfriend said Scafell didn’t even have the best views because of the weather so I felt very smug about my smaller, picturesque hike up Helm’s Crag!
As I return to the Lake District over the next few months and years, I’ll be adding to the list and making it as extensive as possible for you to make your Lake District trip as successful as possible.
If you have an easy walk that you’d like to add to the list, let me know in the comments below!
Happy travelling!
Jennie 🙂 x
Check out my post: 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide) before hiking in the Lake District!
Other posts for travelling the UK:
- Adventure in the Lake District: 21 Best Activities (2022)
- Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots
- Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
- 10 EPIC Things to Do in Grasmere, Lake District (2022)
- 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Route & Itinerary (2022)
- The Ultimate Wales Road Trip for Beginners
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Thank you for including so many easy walks. I love to walk but find most “hikes” are too much for me. These look wonderful and can’t wait to try some.