UKLakeDistrictPlan your walk
Plan your walk
Everything to sort out before a Lake District walk: what our walk grades mean, staying safe on the fells, using GPX files and maps, and getting there by bus.
A good Lake District walk starts long before you leave the car park. The fells are beautiful and, on the right day, very welcoming, but the weather turns fast, paths are rougher than many visitors expect, and a few minutes of planning makes the difference between a great day and a long, cold one. These guides cover the four things we're asked about most.
Start here
- Walk grades explained: what Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Strenuous mean on this site, with every walk listed by grade.
- Staying safe on the fells: mountain forecasts, navigation, kit, daylight, winter, livestock and how to call Mountain Rescue.
- How to use our GPX files and maps: loading a route into an app or GPS, which OS Explorer map you need and how to read a grid reference.
- Walking the Lake District without a car: trains, the main bus routes and lake boats, and which of our walks you can reach on them.
Then pick a walk
Once you know what you're looking for, the Walk Finder lets you filter every route by area, grade, distance, time and facilities, or browse by area. Short on time? The easy walks and family-friendly walks are a good place to start, and the Wainwrights are there when you're ready for the high fells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check before a walk in the Lake District?
Check three things on the day: the weather (a mountain forecast for fell walks, not just the town forecast), the grade and length of the route against the slowest person in your group, and the daylight you have left. Then make sure someone knows where you're going and when you expect to be back. Our safety guide has a full checklist.
How do I know if a walk is too hard for me?
Start with the grade. Every walk on this site is graded Easy, Moderate, Challenging or Strenuous using distance, ascent and terrain, and our walk grades guide explains what each one feels like in practice. If you've never walked in the fells before, start with an Easy or Moderate route and step up once you know how your legs cope with Lakeland's steep, rocky paths.
Do I need a map if I have the GPX file on my phone?
Yes. A phone with a GPX file is a superb navigation aid, but batteries die in the cold and signal is patchy in many valleys. Carry the paper OS Explorer map for the area as well, and a compass on fell walks. Our GPX and maps guide explains which map covers which part of the Lakes.
Can I do Lake District walks without a car?
Many of them, yes. Trains reach Windermere, Penrith, Oxenholme and the coast, and buses and lake boats link the main valleys in season. Most of our walks can be reached by public transport; our car-free guide lists which ones and how.