Most Scenic Lake District Mountain Walks

The Lake District is an English National Park of epic proportions. There are over 40 million visitors to the area every year, drawn in by the incredible scenery, including some of the most picturesque mountains in the country. The Lake District has also been rated in Time Out as being in the top ten of places to visit in the UK, thanks to the glorious countryside and friendly people. This is a place where if you see another walker on the path, they will always nod and smile. The Lake District is of course a favorite spot for ramblers, looking for a new challenge – and what better challenge is there than to walk up some of the most incredible mountains that the Lake District has to offer.

Scafell Pike

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Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in the Lake District area. It stands at an impressive 978 meters tall. You don’t need to be an experienced mountain climber – it is perfectly possible to walk up and down in a day; it is almost 13 km to get to the top and back. However it is recommended that you take a compass, a map and make sure that you check the weather conditions before leaving, as they can be quite changeable. Scafell is east to get to, you just park at Lake Head (grid reference NY 182 074). You can take your dog, but only if they are used to very long walks. The route up Scafell Pike is a real rollercoaster of geological features, from dark, towering crags, to boulder fields and rocky summits. Needless to say, the view when you get to the top is simply breathtaking.

Stunning Skiddaw

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Skiddaw stands at 931 meters high, but has a wonderful, rambling trail to get to the top. It’s a great mountain challenge if you are retired, as it’s not too physically taxing. It was actually a historical pony route for Victorian tourists. You can only imagine the magnificent Victorian ladies, dressed in their finery, being led up the mountain trail, riding side saddle on a pony. You can begin and end your walk at Keswick (grid reference NY 266 234) – in fact this is a good place to get breakfast before you start your climb. There are plenty of tea rooms in Keswick offering hearty Cumbrian breakfasts to set you up for the day. The walk up and back down Skiddaw is almost 17 km and should take you around seven hours if you are strolling at a leisurely pace.

Breathtaking Helvellyn

Wikimedia Commons: By Tim Stevens

Helvellyn is one for fitter walkers, due to the steeper inclines. It stands at 950 meters tall and a round walk from start to finish is about 11 km. It should take around 6 hours, but the route is not suitable for young children. There are many ways to conquer this mountain, but by far the most picturesque route is via Striding Edge. There are plenty of boulders to scramble over and at times you feel like you are tiptoeing over the edge of the world. Start your walk off in the Lake District Public Car Park at Glenridding (grid reference NY 470243).

The mountains of the Lake District are the perfect challenge, whatever age you are. You can experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in England and the view from the top is incredible.