The best walks and hikes around Thirlmere

Hunting for the best views

You don’t have to go very far to get outstanding views on your walks in the Thirlmere area. This north to south-running lake is surrounded by impressive hills and the most popular peak is Helvellyn. 

The third-tallest mountain in England at 3,117 feet (950 m), Helvellyn captures ramblers’ imaginations with its extraordinary ridges and offers the best hiking trails near Thirlmere. Striding Edge and Swirral Edge are sharp ridgelines that bring your attention into the present moment, placing each foot carefully. When you walk up here, you’ll be treading in the footsteps of Coleridge and Wordsworth. 

To the south of Thirlmere, you can explore the many trails in the hills here, from Seat Saddle and Fairfield to St Sunday Crag. Grassy with steep sections, these fells offer exquisite views that keep getting better the higher you climb. 

Armboth Fell, High Tove and High Seat on the west side of the lake are all lower but still impressive fells to hike with the wonderful Dob Gill waterfall crashing down in the south. 

Walking in the woods

Hikes in Thirlmere’s mountainous neighbours are outstanding but sometimes all you want is a blissful hike in dense forests. Both sides of the lake have thick coniferous forests with sprawling trails through them. 

See the extraordinary Giant Tree to the north west of the lake. This silver fir towers above its neighbouring trees and was planted in 1821. You can also explore the trails on the wooded slopes of Armboth Fell around Launchy Gill. Here you’ll find a waterfall cascading through the woods and the Tottling Stone, a boulder conspicuously perched and looking as though you could push it right over (you can’t, thankfully). 

Strolling from summer to spring

The Lake District couldn’t be more different from summer to winter but one thing is always the same; it is always stunning. Walks around Thirlmere in late spring are alive with bird song and summer brings evening sunshine that will, quite frankly, knock your socks off. 

Autumn and winter have their own charm even though the weather is considerably more changeable. Snow is a frequent winter visitor to the Lake District and the mountains and ridges become more dangerous, requiring winter mountaineering experience and equipment. 

With evergreen forests, winter hikes around Thirlmere have a flair of the magical about them and as long as you’re well-prepared, it’s a fantastic place to walk no matter what the season.