Walks in the Lake District - The Penrith Area
Ullswater as seen from Gowbarrow Fell
I often stay in Penrith during Lake District trips. The town retains a unique character because it is on the edge of the national park rather than within the park and as such is often overlooked by many visitors. That is a shame. Prices are generally lower than in the Lake District National Park and accommodation is certainly significantly cheaper. The town retains a natural charm, the locals are so welcoming and as well as the north eastern fells of the Lake District being within easy reach for walkers there are also many surprising delights to be found in the surrounding Eden Valley area and North Pennines.
Why not indulge yourself and combine a great days walking with a Hot Tub Break. There are even options near Penrith.
Interactive map of Lake District walks
| Walk | Miles | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brothers Water | 2.4 | An easy walk from near Hartsop village around one of the districts smaller lakes. |
| Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force | 4.2 | A superb walk with waterfalls, woodland, low fells and exquisite views. |
| Branstree and Selside Pike | 5.8 | A walk from Mardale Head with Haweswater a striking feature. |
| Riggindale Crag, High Street and Mardale Ill Bell | 5.9 | A walk from Mardale Head to a wonderful ridge accessing High Street. Majestic views. |
| Hartsop above How, Hart Crag, Dove Crag and High Hartsop Dodd | 6.7 | A lovely high level walk starting from Brothers Water. On route the round trip meets the Fairfield Horseshoe. |
| Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam | 7.5 | This classic walk including Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam is brilliant. |
| Bowscale Fell and Bannerdale Crags | 7.7 | Two of the most north eastern Wainwright Fells from Mungrisdale walked in bleak midwinter. |
| High Cup Nick from Dufton | 8.1 | A special adventure to a natural wonder, High Cup Nick must be visited by all walkers. |
| Blencathra via Sharp Edge | 8.2 | An awesome walk by any standards on an awesome mountain. |
| Steel Knotts, Wether Hill, Loadpot Hill, Arthur's Pike and Bonscale Pike | 8.3 | Steel Knotts and Arthur's Seat are just two of many highlights of this highly underated walk. |
| High Street, Thornthwaite Crag, Stony Cove Pike and Brothers Water | 9.3 | An ascent of from Hartsop which includes a finale on Caudale Moor. |
| Raise, Helvellyn and Striding Edge | 9.8 | Probably the most popular walk in the Lakes, but not the way we did it! |
| Kidsty Pike, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, The Knott, Rest Dodd, Angletarn Pikes, Boredale Hause | 9.8 | A walk in the Lake District from Hartsop to six of Wainwright's Far Eastern Fells with the lovely bonus of a break beside Angle Tarn |
| Stybarrow Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Great Dodd and Clough Head | 10.7 | A tough climb to Sticks Pass gives access to lush high fell pleasures. |
| Yoke, Ill Bell, Frostwick, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts | 12.3 | A brilliant walk in the Far Eastern Fells with seven of Alfred Wainwright's Fells encountered on the route. |
Feedback and Suggestions:
I am always pleased to received feedback on the structure and content of the website. I also welcome suggestions on how I can improve the website which may include new areas to cover, new walks or route alterations to existing walks. To contact me with feedback and/ or suggestions please complete the Walking Englishman Feedback Form. Thank you.
(Note: Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Postscript: My walk reports are not route guides and should not be treated as such. They are written with personal reflections of my walks)
