Summits & Skies

A long but non-technical circuit through the Central Fells, with varied landscapes and excellent viewpoints over both Derwent Water and Thirlmere. This route is well suited to clear, cold conditions, when frozen ground helps avoid the boggy sections that can affect this area after prolonged rain. Starting from Great Wood car park, the route follows a well-established woodland track up to Walla Crag, with early views opening out over Derwent Water. The route then continues on to Bleaberry Fell and High Seat, the highest point of the day. From here, the walking becomes easier and more gently undulating, crossing open ground to High Tove and Armboth Fell. A gradual descent then leads to Raven Crag, a popular summit and viewpoint above Thirlmere with expansive views along the length of the reservoir. The return forms an extended and pleasant loop back to the roadside. Alternatively, it’s possible to retrace your steps from Raven Crag to High Seat and return to the car park via the outward route. Wainwrights covered: • Walla Crag (379m) • Bleaberry Fell (590m) • High Seat (608m) • High Tove (515m) • Armboth Fell (479m) • Raven Crag (461m) Parking: Great Wood Car Park pay & display

A moderate circuit in the remote Far Western Fells that offers a real sense of wilderness. The hike begins with the longest ascent of the day up to Crag Fell, rewarded with excellent views over Ennerdale Water. From here, a short grassy stretch leads to Grike, where the view opens up towards the more prominent Ennerdale fells, including the High Stile range. An easy-to-follow undulating path then leads to the final summit of Lank Rigg, the most isolated of the three Wainwrights. This section can be boggy and wet underfoot, but often freezes in winter, making colder conditions a favourable time to hike - just watch for icy patches along the way. Wainwrights covered: • Crag Fell (523 m) • Grike (488 m) • Lank Rigg (541 m) Parking: Bleach Green Car Park (free; no facilities)

Lingmoor Fell offers outstanding mountain views for such a short hike. The rocky terrain and close proximity to the higher Langdale peaks make it feel far more adventurous than it looks on paper. With relatively little effort required, this standalone Wainwright works well for shorter days and is particularly impressive on bright, clear conditions. Terrain: gravel paths and rocky sections Parking: pay & display at Old Dungeon Ghyll (coins or app only). Facilities available.

Loughrigg Fell is a small Wainwright with mighty views right in the heart of the Lakes. This is a simple ascent, making it a good option for harsher conditions or a more leisurely hike. From White Moss car park, an enjoyable woodland path leads to stone steps that mark the start of the 1km climb to the summit via Loughrigg Terrace. With relatively little effort you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over Windermere, Grasmere, and Rydal Water. From here, you can loop round to Rydal Caves, or extend the hike as much as you wish. This is a popular route - the parking at White Moss can fill up quickly at weekends and holidays.

This circular walk starts from the peaceful village of Rosthwaite and links three of the easier Wainwrights in Low Borrowdale. The varied landscapes and elevated viewpoints give wide views along Borrowdale and across the surrounding fells, making this a sensible choice for shorter winter days. An easy-to-follow gravel path leads to the summit of Castle Crag (290m) - a small hill with a surprisingly prominent position above Borrowdale, serving as a WWI memorial. After retracing your steps, the route crosses to the other side of the village for a longer ascent to Grange Fell (417m). From here, a short, flat section over wetland - often frozen in winter - leads on to Great Crag (449m), the highest point of the day. The descent follows fairly steep stone steps through woodland before joining the Coast to Coast path for the final mile back to Rosthwaite. Terrain: gravel tracks, stone steps near summits, wetland ❄️ Winter note: watch for icy rocks and frozen bog between Grange Fell and Great Crag, which can be extremely slippery Parking: Rosthwaite village

This small, standalone Wainwright offers wide views for minimal effort. It makes a nice leisurely walk on its own, or can be easily tagged onto a bigger day out to the nearby Uldale Fells. Parking: roadside at the Binsey trailhead

A non-technical, mostly grassy circuit linking six Wainwrights in the far Northern Fells. Low-risk terrain makes this a strong option for cold or icy conditions. The route starts with a steep but steady climb to Longlands Fell, before dropping back into the valley for a second ascent to Brae Fell. Getting these two done early accounts for most of the day’s elevation. Beyond Brae Fell, the terrain becomes more straightforward, with gentler gradients across Great Sca Fell before reaching Knott. In clear conditions, Knott is the standout summit of the day, with wide views towards Skiddaw and across the Northern Fells. From Meal Fell, the descent is fairly steep but rewarding, with open views ahead. A final short climb to Great Cockup is followed by a peaceful 3km downhill stretch back to the car. Wainwrights covered: • Longlands Fell (483m) • Brae Fell (586m) • Great Sca Fell (651m) • Knott (710m) • Meal Fell (549m) • Great Cockup (526m) Terrain: mostly grassland, with some boggy sections. ❄️ ⚠️ Watch out for frozen bog in winter, particularly on the approach to Knott Parking: limited roadside parking at the trailhead, with additional space ~300m down the road

A fun winter circuit covering 6 Wainwrights in the quieter Northern Fells. Ideal for cold or frosty days when higher ground feels less appealing. The route begins with a steep woodland climb to Barf (468m), rewarded with excellent views over Bassenthwaite Lake. Easier gravel tracks then lead to Lord’s Seat (552m), the highest point of the day, before crossing rolling fells to Broom Fell (511m) and Graystones (456m). A short but steep ascent to Ling Fell (373m) adds a penultimate effort before the final push to Sale Fell (359m). Terrain: forest paths, gravel tracks, open fell Conditions: expect boggy ground between Graystones and Ling Fell; watch for icy patches in cold weather, particularly on the descent from Barf. Parking: Powter How car park (honesty box; no facilities)

A classic half-day circular walk from Grasmere combining three Wainwrights in the Central Fells to kick off a week of winter hiking! The route finishes on a high, with some of our favourite views of the day from Silver How (394m) which makes a great little hike on its own. Wainwrights covered: • Tarn Crag (549m) • Blea Rigg (545m) • Silver How (394m) ❄️ ⚠️ watch for black ice and slippery stones in places and take extra caution in icy conditions. Parking: pay and display in Grasmere.

An easy, scenic loop through Grizedale Forest, ideal if you’re after a steady walk without the steep climbs or exposure of the surrounding fells. The route follows forestry tracks for most of the way, which are also well suited to mountain biking. Expect one short boggy section, particularly after wet weather.