Autumn Walks in the Lake District

We love Autumn in the Lakes! It might even be our favourite season of them all. The colours on the fells are a sight to behold; the trees are turning a beautiful russet; the morning mist sheathes the landscape in a mystical wonder, and you can walk for miles without seeing a soul - what’s not to love?

Explore the Lakes this Autumn with a list of our five favourite Autumnal walks:

Grizedale forest is a no brainer when it comes to a list of Autumn walks in the Lake District. The backdrop of reds, yellows and browns make a stunning contrast for the many sculptures and art-works to be found within. Grizedale offers year-round activities for families too- for example, the Gruffalo hunt, or Autumn stargazing events. So pull on your Woolley hat and waterproofs, take a camera and head off into the vastness of beauty that is Grizedale Forest. (Image from www.grizedalesculpture.org)

Big trees abound around Lake Thirlmere. The mixture of both coniferous and deciduous trees make for a stunningly colourful dappled effect in the Autumn. A full walk around the Lake will take you a good couple of hours; give you opportunities for wonderfully rich-textured photographs, and you might even run into a furry friend or two in this amazing Red Squirrel protection area. A short detour takes you up to the low peak that is Great How. From there you can overlook the entire Lake on one side and across to the high peak of Helvellyn on the other. This densely wooded walk will leave you breathless in more than one way.

The shadows cast across the Langdale Pikes are stunning in their contrast at any time of year. The Autumn in Great Langdale however, has a special kind of magic. The icy mornings and brownish-red bracken on the fell-sides give the Langdales an extra level of excellent- especially if you’re handy with a camera! A visit to the famous waterfall, Dungeon Ghyll Force, and the valley itself can offer a more relaxed lower level walking option. If you’re feeling more adventurous Pavey Ark, Pike Of Stickle and Harrison Stickle beckon, in all their majestic autumnal glory.

With dense mixed woodland lining both sides of the river Derwent, a walk along this meandering valley is Autumnal paradise! Plenty of opportunity for dogs to have a splash and play as you walk from Grange up to Rosthswaite along this well-trodden, but gloriously peaceful track. Detour up to castle Crag for an awe-inspiring vista- taking in Derwent Water to the North and the continuation of the Borrowdale valley to the South.

Following on from the Borrowdale valley, continue up the Honister Pass and you will reach the imposing peak that is Fleetwith Pike. Park up at Honister Slate mine and follow the slate path up to the top. If you’re lucky a spot of Autumn rain will have brought out the wonderful, subtle colour of the slate. The sprawling bracken and grasslands en-route to Fleetwith are stunning in the autumn - plus, the view over Buttermere is a must, even on a blustery Autumn day. Stop off on your way back down for a warm-up (and some cake of course) at the Honister Slate Mine café.