Lake District Walks for Beginners

The fells and mountains are lovely, but there’s a need for Lake District walks for beginners. If you’ve not been here before, or if you don’t yet feel confident to tackle the heights, there are many wonderful low level walks. These will give you a fantastic introduction to the Lake District. You will see mountains, lakes and rivers. You will have very enjoyable exercise, but you won’t need a map and compass for these.

By Boat to a Castle

Let’s start with a walking and sailing experience. This is one of the best ever introductions to the Lake District, and you can do it all from our doorstep here at the Cedar Manor. And just when you fancy a rest and a sit-down, along comes your lake cruiser. From our front gate, walk down to Bowness and take the Windermere Lake Cruises steamer all the way to Waterhead, and from there take the Green cruise to Wray Castle. On this quiet western shore of Windermere, this Victorian mock-Gothic imposing and turreted castle is owned by The National Trust. It has lots of indoor space where children are encouraged to play creatively. But the grounds are fascinating too, with some magnificent giant redwood trees. And in the spring there are daffodils galore. This is just what you dreamed the Lake District would be.

Your walk takes you from the castle to the lake shore at High Wray Bay, then you walk south, with the lake on your left all the way. Eventually you’ll reach the Victorian Claife Viewing Station, with its stained glass “picture frame”. And then it’s a short walk to the cross-lake ferry back to Bowness.

Riverside Ramble

This is a fabulous out and back route in a pretty valley. And it takes you from a great coffee shop to an iconic Lakes pub. What could be better as a Lake District walk for beginners? You’re starting at Skelwith Bridge, just a few miles from here, where you can park near the legendary café Chesters by the River. But it might be better to save your coffee and cake for the end of the walk, otherwise you’ll never get going.

You’re walking along the River Brathay on a very easy path that’s been designed to be accessible. Though first you have to stop and admire the astonishing spectacular waterfall of Skelwith Force. Follow the path through a few gates, with the river on your left as it flows into the pretty lake called Elterwater. (This actually means Swan Lake). After less than two miles you reach the road, and if you turn right, in a very short time you’ll come to the Britannia Inn. This unspoiled country pub is one of the most famous in the area, a perfect half way break on a Lake District walk for beginners.

Then, fully refreshed, head back to the path and retrace your steps along the lake and river, knowing that you can treat yourself again very soon with a cake and coffee at Chesters.

Tarn Hows

Even if you’ve never been to the Lakes before, you will have heard of Tarn Hows, and seen photos of this gorgeous place. It’s one of the most photographed places in the Lake District. It’s a man-made tarn and so it's smaller than the natural lakes in the area. The path around it is one of the loveliest easy walks in the Lake District. It's just one and three-quarter miles without any difficulties, and no danger of getting lost. You will get a taste of just about everything that’s lovely about the Lake District in this short walk. On a hot day the shade of the surrounding woodland will be very welcome.

Buttermere

Here’s a day out which will give you a perfect introduction to the Lake District. From here, head north on the A591 in the direction of Keswick, passing the lakes of Rydal, Grasmere and Thirlmere, and then heading round into the glorious valley of Borrowdale beside Derwentwater. This road leads to the exciting Honister Pass, and if you think driving up here is a challenge, remember that this features in several Lake District cycling events!

Over the top of the pass and down the other side, you come to Gatesgarth, where there’s a pay and display car park, and the start of your walk around one of the loveliest of all the lakes, Buttermere. It’s a walk of about five miles all the way round, but there are no steep hills, just a few rocky sections on the lakeside paths. At the far end is Buttermere village and the Buttermere Court Hotel, which used to be known as the Fish Inn.

The village of Buttermere became famous in a Victorian melodrama, for it was here at the Fish Inn, run by her parents, that Mary Robinson known as the Beauty of Buttermere was seduced and bigamously married to John Hatfield. Mary’s second marriage was happier and she lived to a ripe old age largely unaware that her story was famous in literature and portrayed on the London stage. Her tale has been the subject of a novel by Melvyn Bragg.

Then it’s back along the lake shore with fantastic mountain views ahead, notably Fleetwith Pike, and Wainwright’s favourite, Haystacks. (If you really are new to the Lake District and don’t know about Alfred Wainwright and his guidebooks, please do ask us when you get back here. We have the whole set, and we can tell you all about the man and the challenges that he’s inspired.)

Orrest Head

We can’t help recommending Orrest Head as one of the finest Lake District walks for beginners. Yes, it’s steep, but the newly laid path is easy to walk on. It’s very clear so you can’t get lost. It won’t take long. And we can promise the best views of Windermere and the fells beyond. The start of the climb is just across the road from the Cedar Manor. This is where we go to see sunrises and sunsets, where we walk the dogs, and where we feel like proper mountaineers for very little effort. Give it a try. If you like this, then the whole of the Lake District is yours to explore.