Britain’s Most Scenic Walks: The Lake District, Cumbria

Summer is the perfect time to explore the natural, beautiful countryside of Britain on foot. There are hundreds of miles of trails with views that will leave you breathless.

In this blog, we will discover a handful of the best walks in the Lake District National Park.

The Lake District National Park is the largest national park in England and the second largest in the UK. Its majestic combination of sparkling lakes and green mountains make it a popular destination for both experienced mountain climbers and those just looking for a spectacular view.

1. Loughrigg Fell and Rydal Water – This 8km walk is perfect for those based in Kendal who want a bit of a challenge, but don’t want to climb up a cliff. It takes about 3 hours to complete and passes many waterfalls and moss-covered hills. Loughrigg Fell offers an absolutely splendid view and is not too steep to get to.

2. Catbells – This 5.2 km walk is located off the base of Keswick, a popular starting point for most visitors. The terrain is easy, the trail is short and the walk starts at Little Town Chapel, a wonder in itself. During the summer, you will find many walkers and families on the trail for the view of Catbells, so don’t be afraid to venture alone.

3. Fairfield, Great Rigg and Heron Pike Walk – Okay, all you adrenaline junkies out there! This is the walk to choose if you really want to challenge yourself and see a chunk of the most beautiful countryside of the Lake District. This 16.7 km walk starts in the Ambleside area, and has a traveler’s stop along the trail. The trail has steep ascents and descents, so make sure you bring the right hiking shoes! The rewards for this strenuous hike are the views, especially those from the Great Rigg.

With all this walking, we imagine you won’t want to stay somewhere too far away from all the action. Best Loved Hotels have two amazing hotels located right in the heart of the Lake District. You can step right outside your room and start one of these amazing trails straight away!

The Dale Head Hall Lakeside Hotel is situated in Keswick, surrounded by lush green countryside and a charming lake, visible in all of the lounges and most of our lavish guest rooms. You will have the best of both worlds at The Dale Head Lakeside Hotel- luxury and stunning nature. There’s plenty to do around the site if the outdoors aren’t your forte, such as Beatrix Potter’s Home and Museum and the Theatre by Lake Keswick.

Or there is the Holbeck Ghyll Hotel & Spa which is the epitome of relaxation, splendour and opulence. Not does the Hotel offer a full-service spa to get those cranks out after your long hike, but it has a Michelin star restaurant where you can treat yourself to delicious food paired with fine wine from the wine cellar. If that’s not enough to draw you in, the view, rated one of the top 15 in the world, should do it.

Lake District landscape image by Marilyn Peddle, Loughrigg Fell Rydal image by PSD, Catbells summit image by Barney Moss, Heron Pike image by Peer Lawther