Sometimes you fancy a challenge and sometimes you just want an easy, enjoyable walk without much exertion. Whilst the Lake District is most famous for its lofty fells, which often involve some pretty steep climbs, there are also lots of gorgeous walks which are not too difficult.
These walks are also a good bet for when the weather is closing in and you don’t want to be exposed on the windy peaks.
We’ve picked a few of our favourite easy walks in the Lake District that don’t lose any of the beauty found on more difficult hikes. All are able to be walked in just a morning or afternoon, making them perfect to squeeze into your Lake District itinerary.
Tongue Pot, Eskdale
Easy Walks in the Lake District
These are our 13 favourite easy walks in the Lake District:
1 - Cathedral Cavern
Location - Little Langdale
Distance - 0.7 miles (1.1km) each way
Elevation - 100m inc climbing to the top of the cavern
I’d seen lots of photos of the incredible main chamber at Cathedral Cave before visiting, but I had no idea there is so much more to this site than the main chamber alone.
There are a number of tunnels and passages to explore, which offer a really fun, but easy, Lake District adventure.
Although there are plenty of routes you can take to visit the cavern, the easiest route takes just 15 minutes each way, leaving maximum time to explore the cave system when you get there. You can also make a very short detour to the picturesque Slater’s Bridge.
You can read the full details in our Cathedral Cave guide.
2 - Tongue Pot
Location - Eskdale
Distance - 4.3 miles (6.9km) return, including Esk Falls (can easily be shortened)
Elevation - 150m
If you love wild swimming then this walk in the Eskdale Valley is paradise. There are dozens of pools with crystal clear water, ranging from tropical turquoise to brilliant emerald, and many sit beneath stunning waterfalls to complete the picture perfect scene.
The valley views are also spectacular, with impressive fells and craggy cliff walls that add even more atmosphere.
In short, it’s the kind of place you hop on a plane hoping to find abroad, and yet it’s right here in our own backyard.
You don’t have to be a fan of wild swimming to enjoy the walk as the scenery is stunning, but if you are it might just become one of your favourite walks in the Lakes.
Although this walk is one of the longer options on this list, it can easily be shortened to only include a few of the sensational pools on offer, details on where to find them are in this post.
3 - Stanley Ghyll Waterfall
Location - Eskdale
Distance - 1.7 mile (2.7km) loop
Elevation - 130m
Stanley Ghyll Waterfall is one of the most atmospheric in the Lake District. It plunges into a sheer ravine and the force of the water and dramatic scenery make for a mesmerising scene.
The walk to get there is also gorgeous, taking you alongside multiple cascades and through fabulous mossy woodland.
There is one short sharp climb to reach the upper viewpoint, but it only lasts for 250m and the stairs are uneven but in fairly good condition.
The walk tends to be very quiet so it’s a lovely relaxing stroll. All the details are in our Stanley Ghyll Waterfall guide.
4 - Rydal Cave
Location - Rydal
Distance - 0.8 miles (1.2km) each way
Elevation - 85m
The gaping mouth of Rydal Cave has a layer of jagged rocks which look like a set of sharp teeth. An eerie sight, particularly if you visit on a dark and gloomy day!
If you’re lucky enough to get the cave to yourself, all you’ll hear is the dripping of water on rock, which combined with the darkness gives it a mysterious air.
Whilst Rydal Cave is a popular spot, there’s a seldom talked about second cave very nearby which you can climb up into, aided by a rope.
The two caves make for a great short adventure and both can be visited in just one hour using our short easy route.
All the details can be found in our Rydal Cave article.
5 - Tarn Hows Loop
Location - Near Hawkeshead and Coniston
Distance - 1.7 miles (2.74km)
Elevation - 72m, but very very gradual
We love this short loop around the gorgeous Tarn Hows. It’s such a peaceful spot, particularly if you go late afternooon when many of the visitors have already left for the day.
The gravel path is wide and well maintained as it gently undulates around the lake. There are plenty of benches to stop and soak it up along the way.
The track is one of the few that we saw which is perfect for young families, being push chair friendly.
If you are looking for something a little longer, you can also walk to Tom Gill waterfall and Black Fell from the Tarn Hows loop track. Routes and information are detailed here.
6 - The Buttermere Infinity Pool
Location - Buttermere
Distance - 2.6 miles (4.3km) return
Elevation - 150m
It’s incredible that such a beautiful series of waterfalls and pools can be reached via such an easy walking track. Each cascade is different but all share the same crystal clear water.
The main pool, the infinity pool, looks out over the stunning valley, fells, and Buttermere Lake. The walk to reach it is mainly flat and on a well maintained path until the last couple of hundred metres which become more rustic. Even then though it’s not difficult.
If you venture beyond the main pool the walk becomes moderate rather than easy as there is no defined path and the ground gets boggy. Sticking to the infinity pool only makes for a spectacular easy walk from the very first step to the last.
All the details are in our Buttermere infinity pool guide.
7 - Stock Ghyll Force
Location - Ambleside
Distance - 0.75 miles (1.2km) circuit - plus 750m each way if walking from the village
Elevation - 95m
There aren’t many villages that can boast their own waterfall, but Ambleside is one of them. The stunning Stock Ghyll Force is located just a few minutes walk from the centre of the village and is a must do for anyone visiting the area.
The picturesque double drop waterfall is located in pretty woodland, especially lovely in autumn when the leaves turn an array of oranges and yellows.
There is an even shorter easier route than the circuit we describe in this post but the circuit has more to offer if you don’t mind a few stairs and a bit of muddy terrain.
8 - Aira Force Waterfall
Location - Matterdale near Ullswater
Distance - just under one mile (1.5km) return to the main viewpoint
Elevation - 60m
It’s hard to believe you can get to such a pretty spot so easily. There are several paths to and around Aira Force waterfall - although access has changed in recent years - so whichever route you take you’ll need to climb up some stairs. We think the best route to the falls is via the Sitka Spruce path and back to the car park via the Ullswater Way track, which creates a nice circuit.
Aira Force is lovely, but don’t go after too much rain or it does become a bit discoloured and foamy - although its power is impressive! We think a few hours here is one of the best things to do in the Lakes.
You can also walk to the top of the falls and get a good view looking down at it from the bridge.
If you’re keen to explore further, there are several secret swimming spots in the High Cascades above the main falls, you’ll have to climb a few more stairs, but it’s not a hard track. Here’s how to find them.
Getting there
Aira Force is located close to Ullswater and is a short drive from Glenridding. It’s run by the National Trust, so you can find out more about the parking and prices here. It is incredibly popular, so plan your trip to avoid the midday rush or weekends if you can.
9 - Orrest Head
Location - Windermere
Distance - 1.4 miles (2.2km) return
Elevation - 108m, short but continuous incline
This walk has to be one of the best in the Lake District for effort vs reward. Beginning in Windermere town centre, the hardest part will likely be finding a car parking space!
Once you have and you get to the trail head it is only around 20 minutes to the top. You can choose to walk on the well maintained concrete path which zig zags its way to the top, or use the short cuts directly off this path up through the wood (this is a little quicker).
Once at the top you won’t believe the view that you get for such a quick jaunt. Even on a miserable day as it was for us, the vista is terrific. You can of course see the ever picturesque Lake Windermere, but if you get a clear day you can see many of the outlying fells, including Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain.
This was the first walk that Alfred Wainwright completed in the Lake District, and inspired his life long love of Lakeland.
Getting there
The Orrest Head track starts just by the train station in Windermere. Parking is difficult to come by at the station, so you’ll probably have to use one of the big car parks in the town centre.
10 - Grasmere Lake Loop (Flat walk)
Location - Grasmere
Distance - 3.1 miles (5km)
Elevation - 82m, but can be avoided if you cut out the bracken fell section by Grasmere village/Dove Cottage
We were expecting bad weather (which surprisingly for the Lakes didn’t actually happen!) and we wanted to do a non exposed but still pretty walk.
The Grasmere Lake loop fitted the bill perfectly. Although it does require some road walking - something I normally hate - the roads were so quiet and charming that I didn’t mind.
The White Moss Wood was extremely pretty but the crowning jewel of this walk was definitely circumnavigating beautiful Grasmere lake itself.
The path is in excellent shape throughout, no worries with footing on this track. Here’s a map for the exact route.
Getting there
You can start the walk at either the centre of Grasmere where there are several pay and display options or park at White Moss Car Park (however, this can get very busy).
Easy Fell Walks in the Lake District
Want to bag a summit but don’t want to embark on something too challenging? These smaller peaks are the perfect introduction to fell walking in the Lake District. None take more than a few hours and you’ll be blown away by the spectacular views along the way.
11 - Helm Crag
Location - Grasmere
Distance - 4.2 miles (6.6km)
Elevation - 337m - Steep sections from the wood to the summit, but the rest is flat
Despite its small size this was one of our favourite walks in the Lake District. It’s easily achievable in just two hours, meaning it is the perfect walk for sunset.
It gives you a good taste for fell walking in the Lake District without any difficult scrambles, or issues finding the path. It is quite steep but there are plenty of rocks to stop and sit to catch your breath, and the views are just stunning.
Keep an eye out for red squirrels again, this time we were lucky enough to see one in the woodland just after passing the hotel. You can read more about our experience walking Helm Crag in our detailed blog post.
12 - Castle Crag Loop
Location - Borrowdale (Rosthwaite)
Distance - 4.2 miles (6.8km) if doing the loop, shorter if you return the way you came
Elevation - 275m, steep to the summit, but plenty of flat track
This is another short fell walk, a little more challenging that Helm Crag but still achievable for most people.
There are a couple of different routes you can take, we recommend starting at Rosthwaite, this is a short route but has a lovely flat beginning to warm up as you walk along the river, before a quick but steep climb to the summit.
The summit itself does require venturing up a big slate pile, being unsteady on my feet I thought this actually looked more slippery and precarious than it actually was, (though I wouldn’t walk it in the rain) but it only takes a few minutes.
The summit of Castle Crag was one of my favourites of all the fells we walked on our recent trip.
Rather than retracing your steps, we’d recommend taking a right at the bottom of the slate heap to create a loop. This route back to Rosthwaite was longer than the route in, but has a lot to offer.
The woods are beautiful and the river is a great place to paddle on a warm day. However, the highlight is definitely the hidden cave!
13 - Loughrigg Fell Loop
Location - Grasmere or Ambleside
Distance - 6 miles (10km)
Elevation - 434m, a mixture of steep and flat sections
This is the most difficult walk on our list but with the views and variety along the way it is definitely worthy of your time. Starting on pretty country lanes before coming out to the wide open views of the fells, it’s a particularly lovely walk.
As you descend from the peak the fantastic lake view stays with you most of the way, you’re just above busy Grasmere, but it feels like it’s worlds away.
There is a small section of scrambling on the descent (unless you go back the way you came instead) which is good practice if you’re thinking of taking on some of the bigger fells.
You can read a detailed account on Loughrigg Fell here.
Packing suggestions for walking in the Lake District
Having the right gear can make a huge difference, especially in the Lake District. It can rain or turn cold at any time of year, so we highly recommend packing some for all seasons!
Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item in the Lakes as it can rain at any time! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check them out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check then out on Amazon
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Are you planning a trip to the Lake District? Have we missed a great easy walk from our list? Let us know in the comments below!
