Best walks in the Lake District and where to stay

A 912-square-mile area of fells, lakes and market towns, the Lake District is one of the UK’s most popular destinations for a staycation.

Britain’s largest National Park is home to England’s tallest peak and deepest lake (Scafell Pike and Wastewater respectively), and welcomes almost 16 million visitors per year, with tourists flocking to take in some of the country’s best views and most scenic settings.

While the region’s landscape and villages are among some of the most idyllic and photogenic in the country, many people visit for its vast range of potential activities. Among these, the Lake District prides itself on its range of hikes and walking routes to suit all abilities.

Though the National Park authority offers free guided walking tours, chances are that visitors will want to take their own time to sample some of the area’s vast array of self-guided walks.

Looking for inspiration? Here’s our selection of some of the best.

Ash Landing and Claife Heights

One of the Lake District’s most well-known lakes, Windermere is an enormously popular place to visit due to its myriad water-based activities and walking options. This route is one such walk: a seven-and-a-half mile hike along the less-developed western side of the lake. Starting at Ash Landing, the walk heads north and finishes at Wray Castle, a mock gothic castle built in the 1800s.

While the loop back to Ash Landing is optional, the walk will take you through Claife Woods and across several hills and steep inclines over the course of roughly four to five hours. Low Blind How and High Blind How are good places for picturesque views of Windermere, while Claife Heights itself also provides views of local rivers and rugged terrain.

Where to stay

With a romantic location on the shores of Lake Windermere and modern, stylish rooms, Storrs Hall is the perfect place to stay to appreciate stellar lake views.