The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Cumbria

Embark on a moderate hike around Derwent Water from Keswick, a journey that covers 10.7 miles (17.3 km) with an elevation gain of 856 feet (261 metres). This loop typically takes around 4 hours and 45 minutes to complete. You will find varied terrain, including well-maintained gravel paths, boardwalks through marshy areas, and sections winding through ancient woodlands. As you walk, you will enjoy expansive views of Derwent Water, its islands, and the surrounding fells, with the dramatic backdrop of Cat Bells often in sight.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as the route is easily accessible from Keswick. The path is largely waymarked, making navigation simple. If you wish to shorten your walk, you can combine sections of the trail with a trip on the Keswick Launch boat service, which has multiple landing stages around the lake. Buses also serve various points, offering additional flexibility for your day out. The trail's newly constructed bridges and raised paths mean it is often viable even in wetter conditions.

This trail is notable for offering some of the Lake District's most iconic views, such as those from Friar's Crag, which famously inspired writer John Ruskin. The route provides a wide range of experiences, from gentle lakeside strolls to options for more challenging fell climbs if you choose to extend your adventure. Along the way, you will encounter interesting features like the Chinese Bridge and several jetties, passing through areas rich in flora and wildlife cared for by the National Trust.

The Derwent Water Ferry & Catbells loop from Keswick offers a moderate hiking experience, covering 8.9 miles (14.3 km) with an elevation gain of 1358 feet (414 metres). You can expect to complete this diverse route in about 4 hours and 19 minutes. As you hike, you will encounter varied terrain, from easy paths along the lakeside to rocky steps and minor scrambling as you approach the summit of Catbells. The highlight is the expansive 360-degree views from Catbells Summit, where you can see Derwent Water, Keswick, and the surrounding fells. The trail also winds through peaceful woodlands and along picturesque lakeside scenes, providing a classic Lakeland atmosphere.

This route is easily accessible from Keswick, making it a popular choice for hikers. A key part of the experience involves using the Keswick Launch, a ferry service that transports you across Derwent Water to Hawes End Jetty, where the hike begins. This adds a unique element to your day, so factor in ferry times when planning your start. While generally considered beginner-friendly for fell walking, the rockier sections near Catbells require good fitness and sure-footedness. Due to its popularity, especially during peak season, you should plan for potential crowds on the trail.

What sets this particular loop apart is the integration of the scenic Derwent Water ferry ride, transforming a standard hike into a more comprehensive Lakeland adventure. This journey across the water provides a different perspective of the fells before you even begin your ascent. The trail is a fantastic introduction to fell walking for those new to the Lake District, offering significant rewards without extreme technical difficulty. It combines the tranquility of lakeside paths with the exhilaration of a summit climb, all within easy reach of Keswick.

The Latrigg loop from Keswick offers a moderate hike of 5.0 miles (8.0 km) with an elevation gain of 845 feet (258 metres), typically taking about 2 hours and 26 minutes to complete. As you hike, you will follow parts of an old railway line path, then ascend through well-surfaced bridleways in woodlands before reaching open fellside. From the summit, you can enjoy wide views over Keswick town, Derwentwater, and the Borrowdale Valley, with the fells of Skiddaw and Catbells visible in the distance. While some sections can be steep for about 500 meters during the ascent, and parts of the descent might be muddy, the paths are largely well-maintained.

This trail is generally considered easy to moderate, making it a good choice for beginners and families. If you prefer a shorter walk or have limited mobility, you can drive to the Gale Road car park, which offers a more accessible path to a viewpoint. This option significantly shortens the route, with only about 80 metres of ascent to the summit from the car park. The full circular walk begins directly from Keswick town centre, providing a convenient starting point for your adventure.

Latrigg is often called

This moderate hike, covering 9.9 miles (15.9 km) with 1434 feet (437 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 4 hours and 41 minutes to complete. You begin in the charming village of Dufton, passing through farmland before starting your steady climb. As you ascend, the views across the Eden Valley to the distant Lake District fells become increasingly impressive. The trail leads you to High Cup Nick, a spectacular U-shaped glaciated valley often called "England's Grand Canyon," where the landscape dramatically opens up before you. Here, you'll see the magnificent dolerite crags of the Great Whin Sill forming a natural amphitheater, with landmarks like High Cup Scar and Nichol's Chair standing out.

While rated as moderate, this route involves significant climbing and can be challenging, especially in exposed sections. The path includes stony and rough tracks, and some areas, particularly on open access land, can be boggy. High winds are common on the North Pennine escarpment, making conditions harsher even in summer. You should come prepared with strong boots, warm clothing, and good waterproofs. Carrying an Ordnance Survey map and compass is also advisable for navigation.

High Cup Nick is a geological marvel, an outstanding example of a U-shaped glaciated valley formed during the last Ice Age. The dramatic dolerite crags are part of the Great Whin Sill, a significant formation also seen at Hadrian's Wall and waterfalls like High and Low Force. This section is considered a spectacular highlight of the Pennine Way, even noted by fellwalker Alfred Wainwright as one of his favorites. The area is also known for the Helm Wind, a unique meteorological phenomenon caused by local topography.