‘The Lake District’ (once known as Westmorland) is the beloved destination for adventurers, vanlifers and nature lovers alike. Those seeking solitude from the humdrum of whirring cars and the peripheral blur of Noris brick on the endless commute home.

A tranquil place where you can contemplate the blessings of life in the presence of captivating landscapes, with the sun on your face and freedom to absorb its natural beauty.

The Lake District was not always the Mecca we know it to be today, as the 18th Century Journalist Daniel Defoe once wrote:

“Westmorland, eminent only for being the wildest, most barren and frightful of any that I have passed over in England… bounded by a chain of almost impassable mountains which in the language of the country are called Fells”.

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The Lake District – LANDSCAPE AND GEOLOGY
(Francis, Holmes and Yardley, 2022, p.7)

By the end of the century this common perspective did an about-turn, seeing folk seeking a much needed escape route from the noise and smog of the Industrial Revolution.
Formed over 500 million years ago and waiting patiently to offer respite was the Lakeland Fells. With volcanic crags rising over glacial valleys, this stunningly beautiful corner of the world had finally reached appreciation.

Walking Routes and Guides

Start planning your first explore by using these guides along with the OS Map for the area. Information will include the Map required, starting point, hike distance, supporting images, time required and difficulty rating as below:

Easy – route may be short, less than 5 miles circular, likely undulating but may have limestone rock which are slippery when wet.
Intermediate – routes typically be around an 8 mile circular, requiring hands on rock in parts and may include crossing narrow becks and streams, which can be slippery when wet.
Difficult – route may total up to 12 miles circular and include hands on rocks, precarious in parts, and should not to be attempted by explorers lacking core strength or a fear of heights.

Included below are some long distance challenges and hikes, (mainly in fair weather where possible). However, as I have been hiking for many years and already trodden most routes, I will include notes about the potential terrain in less favourable conditions.

Routes include the Lake District and other UK ranges, regions and routes.

Lakes District Fells (Wainwrights)

Central	Eastern	Far Eastern
	Helvellyn (Via Striding Edge)	Harter Fell (from Mardale)

Southern	Outlying, low Circular	Scrambles
Lingmoor Fell (via Side Pike)	Ennerdale Circular

Other UK Ranges, Regions
and their Routes

The Peak District the first to rightly be named a UK National Park. Celebrated for being the location of the historic mass trespass over Kinder Scout, which paved the way for our present day Right to Roam. Formed mainly of valleys, dales and woodland walks, which have very well maintained paths on major designated routes. Packed with an ample amount of historic places of interest maintained by the National Trust, makes for a family friendly day of rambling.

Snowdonia boasts a rugged landscape including 15 summits over 3,000ft. So if you were feeling particularly fit you could take up the 24hour Welsh 3000s challenge, packed with an exhausting scramblingfest of adrenalin fuelled fun. But don’t worry though, if you don’t fancy visiting Snowdon (the highest summit) via the knee-wobbling knife edge of Crib Goch. You can opt for the direct train (seasonal) and eat giant pasties in the summit cafe (Hafod Eryri) on the top. You couldn’t make this up!!

Highlands of Scotland and the Cairngorms. While you likely risk being attacked by midges in late summer and ticks from early spring, don’t let these mere incidentals put you off. The potential suffering is surely worth the risk when considering you gain unforgettable views at every turn. A place that will call you back again and again to embrace freedom in its wildest, (almost) truest form. Where time and order as we know it, no longer exist… as simple as that.

Peak District	Snowdonia (3000’s)	Scotland
		Great Cumbrae

Long Distance Challenges
The Ullswater Way ~ 20 mile circular