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It’s called the Lake District for a reason, but sharing top billing with its bodies of water are its mountains and fells – with fell being another word to describe a mountain (or a very big hill). And here the hills are pretty big – England’s 10 tallest mountains are all in the Lake District, with Scafell Pike (3209 feet/978m) the tallest of them all.
The views from the summits of virtually all of Cumbria’s mountains are pretty spectacular, but you have to get up to the top of them first – which is the main part of their attraction. Fell walking (or running, if you’re so inclined) is one of the main reasons so many people come to Cumbria and the Lake District, as here you’ll find a broad mixture of challenges: from gentle strolls up a grassy hill to clambering carefully along razor edged ridges with vertiginous drops on either side.
And because fell walking is so popular, the region knows how to cater to walkers – virtually every town and most villages have outdoor equipment shops, while most bookshops and tourist offices are well-stocked with walking guides, including of course Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, the fell walker’s bible.
Inspiration
Walking the Coffin Road from Ambleside to Grasmere then taking advantage of the bus for the return…
The northern and eastern slopes of Skiddaw are strikingly different than other Lake District fells.…
A stile-free circular route along the Derwent Water foreshore and back via Cockshot Wood with views…
Explore the wonderful high fells of the English Lake District. You will be guided by an expert…
Leave the tarmac of urban running far behind and explore incredible landscapes only accessible on…
This modest mountain occupies an important position at the head of the Buttermere valley and is…
Secretly tucked away behind Ambleside is the high valley of Scandale.
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
It's hard to imagine visiting Coniston without climbing Coniston Old Man. It hangs over the village…
At the eastern edge of the Howgill Fells, the shapely peaks of Kengriff and Yarlside stand a lonely…
Cutting deeply into the hills on the northern side of Ambleside, the wild and lonely valley of…
A one day introduction to navigation and map reading suitable for beginners. If you have never…
Have you ever wanted to climb the highest mountain in the UK or maybe take on a mountain horseshoe…
As well as beautiful scenery, the Lake District is also famous for its associations with a large…
The climb onto the main ridge of the High Stile Range is a bit on the stiff side but once you get…
The Fairfield Horseshoe is probably the most famous of the classic Lake District rounds - this…
Moses Trod, the high-level path that skirts the base of Great Gable's impressive north face (Gable…
Harter Fell might be small but it's perfectly formed and it's situated in a stunning position. It…
This is a stile-free out and back route which takes you too Broomhill Point with views out to Cat…
Sedbergh is at the confluence of two Dales rivers, the River Rawthey and the River Dee. Along their…
Get the most out of your time in the Lake District with a Muddy Boots private guided walk tailored…
A walk in the Central Barrow Conservation Area.The walk will take about 1 hour to complete.
A beautiful route of 197 miles, linking three National Parks over high level traverse. Stretching…
The walk around Deepdale's skyline crest, taking in all its summits, is a rather surprising walk.…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
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