Top 10 South Lakes
The most accessible and popular part of the Lake District also boasts some deservedly classic rambles, hillwalking horseshoes and scrambles
The ‘South Lakes’ is home to some of the prettiest corners of the Lake District – and also some of its most popular. Thanks to its abundance of tourist hotspots, this region can seem crowded; but as a walker you can always find a quiet corner. From big horseshoes to bite-sized hills; from necky scrambles to low-level wanders; this is where some of the most deservedly classic (and accessible) walking in England is found.
1. LOUGHRIGG FELL
Loughrigg Fell (355m / 1099ft) is a compact and bewitching little peak between Windermere and Rydal Water. One of the best routes, at 8km (5 miles), begins in
Rydal before gradually gaining height along Loughrigg Terrace and passing the enormous Rydal Cave, then heads straight for the summit – gorgeous views out to Coniston and the Langdales. Meander south-east over the plateau-like top, exploring the many hummocks and little tarns, and descend along a lane beside the River Rothay.
Top views-to-effort ratio on this one.
2. HELM CRAG
Helm Crag (405m / 1329ft) is a small-butmighty mountain that punches well above its weight, rising as a graceful pyramid above Grasmere. Its very top is guarded by a rock tower known as The Lion and the Lamb, or The Howitzer – scrambling needed for the last few metres. The shortest route, there and back from Grasmere, is only 5.9km, whilst a longer and more challenging round (15km / 9 miles) continues along Helm Crag’s northwest ridge to Calf Crag and Sergeant Man, then returns via Easedale Tarn.
3. THE CONISTON ROUND
This classic 23km (14-mile) route, taking in every peak of the Coniston massif, begins by climbing Wetherlam via the shapely Wetherlam Edge. After crossing Prison Band to Swirl How, the route visits Great Carrs and the outlying Grey Friar before heading south along a thrilling ridge to Brim Fell and the walk’s climax, the Old Man of Coniston (803m / 2633ft). But it’s not over yet; for the grand finale, cross Dow Crag high above Goat’s Water and return to Coniston via the Walna Scar Pass.
4. TARN HOWS
If this conifer-fringed lake near Coniston, embedded like a jewel amongst small hills, looks a bit too perfect to be natural, that’s because it isn’t – it was created in Victorian times, merging three smaller tarns by damming a beck as part of a landscaping effort. Today it is one of the Lakes’ most popular attractions, so this is not one for the crowd-phobic, but it’s still worth a visit. You can wander around it via an easy path within an hour, or incorporate it into a walk from Coniston (add on another hour or so) to make a longer 10 kilometre (6-mile) ramble
5. THE FAIRFIELD HORSESHOE
The Fairfield Horseshoe (16 / 10 miles) is like the Margherita pizza of Lake District fellwalks – a classic, but a classic for a reason. It follows a natural ring of fells surrounding the valley containing Rydal Beck, taking you from High Pike to Heron Pike via Fairfield. Ambleside is often the starting point, and it’s often busy; but this is a glorious high-level romp, with allencompassing views over virtually the whole region, which unfold as you make your way around. Expect it to take 5-6 hours.
6. CRINKLE CRAGS & BOWFELL
These peaks form part of Great Langdale’s irresistible skyline, and a top fellwalk crosses the Crinkles’ serrated ridge to the pyramid of Bowfell. The 15km (9-mile) route starts at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and traverses the scrambly Crinkle Crags from the south – watch out for the Bad Step – before approaching Bowfell (902m / 2959ft) via Three Tarns
(great views to the Scafells). Don’t miss the impressive Great Slab near Bowfell’s summit.
7. ORREST HEAD
A bite-sized walk from Windermere takes in
Orrest Head (238m / 781ft). Although low by Lakeland standards, this little peak has an expansive panorama overlooking the fells, and was one of guidebook author Alfred Wainwright’s favourites: “a popular walk, deservedly, for here the promised land is seen in all its glory.” Indeed, it was Wainwright’s introduction to the Lakeland fells in 1930, at the age of 23. The shortest route is only around 2km (1.2 miles), whilst a longer option descending via woodland is 4.5km (2.8 miles).
8. THE LANGDALE PIKES VIA JACK’S RAKE
‘Iconic’ might be an overused word to describe mountains, but in the case of the Langdale Pikes it feels appropriate – these
hulking volcanic ramparts symbolise the Lake District as much as Wasdale, Wordsworth and Kendal Mint Cake. Climbing Pavey Ark via the Grade 1 scramble of Jack’s Rake, which cuts right across the face of the crag, is the most thrilling way up it; but non-scramblers can approach it via its eastern ridge. From there you can ‘join the dots’ of Thunacar Knott,
Pike of Stickle, Thorn Crag and the high point of Harrison Stickle (736m / 2414ft), before descending back to your starting point of the New Dungeon Ghyll – a relatively short (3-4 hours, 9km / 5.5 miles) but spectacular hillwalk.
9. LITTLE LANGDALE
If you fancy a low-level ramble (or bad weather / an over-enthusiastic night at the pub gives you no other option) there are few more charmingly chocolate-boxy corners of the world than Little Langdale: a bucolic wee valley patchworked with woods, waterfalls, pastures, pubs and tarns. A roughly triangular, 10 kilometre (6 mile) circuit starts at Skelwith Bridge, takes in Skelwith Force, Colwith Force and Slater Bridge, heads over to the slate quarry near Chapel Stile, then takes you on a stroll back to Skelwith Bridge via the shores of Elter Water (pint at the Britannia Inn in Elterwater optional but recommended).
10. WANSFELL PIKE
Wansfell Pike (488m / 1601ft) is an easily overlooked small hill above Ambleside, but it makes for a great short route – ideal for half days or a walk with little ones in tow. Climb up the excellent path from Stock
Ghyll Woods and admire the views from the top over Windermere, Langdale and the eponymous Pikes of the latter. You can return the way you came; or, for a more satisfying circuit, head down to Troutbeck and return to Ambleside via Skelghyll Wood.