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It’s called the Lake District for a reason, but sharing top billing with its bodies of water are its mountains and fells – with fell being another word to describe a mountain (or a very big hill). And here the hills are pretty big – England’s 10 tallest mountains are all in the Lake District, with Scafell Pike (3209 feet/978m) the tallest of them all.
The views from the summits of virtually all of Cumbria’s mountains are pretty spectacular, but you have to get up to the top of them first – which is the main part of their attraction. Fell walking (or running, if you’re so inclined) is one of the main reasons so many people come to Cumbria and the Lake District, as here you’ll find a broad mixture of challenges: from gentle strolls up a grassy hill to clambering carefully along razor edged ridges with vertiginous drops on either side.
And because fell walking is so popular, the region knows how to cater to walkers – virtually every town and most villages have outdoor equipment shops, while most bookshops and tourist offices are well-stocked with walking guides, including of course Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, the fell walker’s bible.
Inspiration
There are 8 waymarked walks and 5 waymarked cycle trails, plus the North Face trail, in the…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
Let us take you on one of our favourite walks, an off-the-beaten-track route far from the crowds…
The mountains around Wasdale Head are arguably one of the finest mountain landscapes in Britain and…
Harter Fell might be small but it's perfectly formed and it's situated in a stunning position. It…
Join us on one of our favourite forest wanders exploring Chapel House, certainly one of the best…
A 270-mile walk that will take you from Edale in the Peak District National Park along the Pennine…
Whinlatter is a great place for walking with many miles of gravel roads, paths and tracks to…
The Coniston Fells are fronted by the rugged face of Coniston Old Man and the towering cliffs of…
Coledale itself is a classic U shaped valley that is typical of many in the Lake District, but…
Explore the estate at Sizergh Castle, and keep an eye out for any sightings of local wildlife,…
This one day introduction to map reading and navigation is suitable for anyone who would like to…
The Jack Diamond Path up Coniston Old Man is one of the few paths in the Lake District named after…
Doing the round of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge is one of the Lake District's most famous routes…
Leave the tarmac of urban running far behind and explore incredible landscapes only accessible on…
Backed by low fells and woodland, the western shore of Coniston Water is a delightful place for a…
Expertly Crafted Running Holidays – As specialists in the Alfred Wainwright Coast to Coast, we use…
Slap bang in the middle of Borrowdale is Castle Crag. It's rather small, this perfectly formed…
The walk around Deepdale's skyline crest, taking in all its summits, is a rather surprising walk.…
This is a popular route (1.25km each way) for walkers leading to the shore of Crummock Water. The…
Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail is the long-distance footpath that runs through the World…
Spend the day in Cumbria's only city. Carlisle has plenty to offer, with a rich history and…
Master the 'Art of Nordic Walking' with our , Nicky Merrett, AKA Nordic Nic, or Sean Bolland our…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
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