Town walks in the Lake District

Some of the best walks in the Lake District start right from the high street. The walks on this page begin in or beside a town, so there's no driving to a remote car park, the bus or train can drop you at the start, and there's a café, pub or bakery waiting when you get back. They're ideal for a morning before lunch in town, a walk on the day you arrive, or a holiday without a car.

From Ambleside

Ambleside is the walking capital of the Lakes, with buses from Windermere, Grasmere and Keswick and fells rising straight out of town. High Sweden Bridge climbs gently up the Scandale valley to a picture-perfect packhorse bridge, then returns with views over Windermere. A short bus ride or a walk along the A591 brings you to White Moss for Rydal Caves, a lakeshore loop past a huge slate cave that's perfect for families.

From Ulverston

On the southern edge of the Lakes, the market town of Ulverston has its own landmark walk. Hoad Hill climbs from the town centre to the Sir John Barrow Monument, a lighthouse-shaped tower built to honour the Ulverston-born explorer and Admiralty official. From the top there are views across Morecambe Bay and north to the Coniston Fells. Ulverston is on the Furness railway line, so it's easy to reach without a car.

Making the most of a town walk

Town walks are often busier near the start, so go early in summer. Most still involve a proper climb on rough paths, so wear decent shoes and take a waterproof. Check each guide for toilets and cafés along the way. If you're staying in town for a few days, use these as a warm-up before longer routes: from Ambleside, for example, Whorneyside Force in Langdale and the Old Man of Coniston are both reachable by bus.

Our car-free guide lists the buses and trains to every town, and the area guides show all the walks around each base.

Town walks also make a good choice when the weather is uncertain: you are never far from shelter, and you can cut the walk short and head back for a cup of tea if the rain sets in.