Lake District Fell Walking

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Scafell Pike reaches up to nearly a kilometre above sea level. There are varying routes up to the summit, to suit all kinds of different skill and experience levels - but all of them feature views that seem to go on forever. Try to come on a day with clear weather, so you can make the most of it!

Scafell Pike
Photo TerryA McDonald

Lots of people climb Scafell Pike as part of the "Three Peaks Challenge", in which participants try to climb the tallest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. This means that you can sometimes see people making the ascent at all kinds of strange times.

Views around Scafell
Photo A_tea_but_no_e

Many of the fells provide great views of the lakes - and a good example of this is Cat Bells. This peak is well known for its position overlooking Derwent water, and because of this, it is probably one of the most popular fell-walking destinations in the entire National Park. The standard route up the mountain is marked very clearly, so it's easy to follow, even as it zig-zags its way upwards. This is a fairly low-level walk, but even so, there are several steep sections that might make you stop to catch your breath! Of course, it's all worth it in the end. One comment made about the area is that "it must be something like this in Heaven".

Cats Bells
Photo Katherine Davis

The man who said this was Alfred Wainwright, a walking enthusiast who spent most of his life exploring the fells of Cumbria. Over the years, he produced a series of detailed books, which provide invaluable guides to all the different areas of the Lake District. Wainwright is famous and well respected in the local area, and anyone looking to follow in a few of his many footsteps are strongly advised to investigate his body of work.

Another favourite peak of Wainwright's was Helvellyn, which is also one of the public's favourite walks. The route includes Striding Edge, a very high trail where the ground on both the left and right hand sides drops away dramatically, making for an exciting way to the summit. Helvellyn's vast views are made all the more special by the presence of Red Tarn, a small but spectacular lake that sits high up the mountain range, at over 700 metres above sea level. The water seems almost out of place, but any photograph you take of it will probably end up being one of the best pictures from your entire trip.

Striding Edge from Helvellyn
Photo Spikycircle

The Lake District is crammed with dozens of other fells, each of which are worth climbing in their own right. Skiddaw, for example, gives views all the way out to the Isle of Man, and is perfect for beginners or novice walkers. Great Gable, on the other hand, provides several slightly steeper and tougher routes, as well as several opportunities for climbing and scrambling.

Skiddaw from Derwent Water
Photo hughmiller99

Walking near Coniston Old Man
Photo markc123

As soon as you've climbed one peak, you'll start feeling the hunger for more. And perhaps, before you know it, you'll want to be like Alfred Wainwright, living in the Lake District and walking its fells every single day.

Cumbria Tourism. Tel: 01539 822 222

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