The 7 Best Spring Walks In The Lake District

Spring is Springing… Sprunging?…Sprung’d? Well, anyway- it’s time to get out walking in the Lake District now that Spring is in full-swing!

We love walking in the Lake District in Spring. The weather (while somewhat unpredictable) is the right mix of cool and pleasant (if it’s not pouring buckets that is); there are wonderful sights of nature blossoming all around, and all the creatures great-and-small are singing, bouncing and baa’ing in every field and on every fell.

The views from some of England’s highest peaks are absolutely breath-taking on a clear Spring day, and some of the lower Lake District walks are just as spectacular. So, where should you walk this Spring in the Lake District?

There of plenty of route choices to go up the two Gables, but coming down via Honister slate mine on a nice Spring day is a great choice if you like to grab a brew and put your feet up before heading back to your Lake District hotel.

This spectacular horseshoe route offers fantastic views and a real sense of accomplishment. Covering roughly ten miles and the peaks of Nab Scar; Low Pike; High Pike; Heron Pike; Hart Crag; Great Rigg; Fairfield, and Dove Crag, it’s definitely a walk for a balmy Spring day.

Another horseshoe on the list. Spring is the perfect time to try some longer routes. The Newlands Round is another ten-miler, taking in the peaks of Cat Bells; Maiden Moor; High Spy; Dale Head, and Hindscarth. The perfect walk if you’re staying in a hotel near Keswick.

One of our all-time favourites! The walk up Coniston Old Man is speckled with fascinating remnants of the mining industry; glistening tarns, and beautiful views of the Duddon valley and Coniston Water. This is a medium level walk, with easy to follow paths.

A wonderful, strolling walk for a Spring day. You can either start at Ashness bridge, or drive on further and park at Surprise View to begin your walk. Surprise View is the main attraction, with stunning views across Derwent Water and up to the Jaws of Borrowdale. The road to Watendlath is a steep climb, but worth the cup of tea and delicious cakes served at the Caffle House Tea-room in Watendlath. Head back to way you came, or detour via Rosthwaite for a longer day.

So-called because it once was the route taken by the coffin bearers, from Ambleside, Rydal and the surrounding countryside, to St Oswald’s Church at Grasmere. A six mile round trip if you begin at Rydal- taking in the breathtaking low-level views of Rydal water and Grasmere, on a circular route around the two bodies of water.

Our list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Britain’s favourite mountain, Helvellyn. Raising majestically from our home on Thirlmere Lake, Helvellyn can be summited from various routes. For the braver among us, the Striding Edge route is by far the most popular- however, if you prefer a less-daunting (but still darn steep!) route, you can start you walk from the front door here at Dale Head Hall, Lakeside Hotel!