Winter walks in the Lake District

We can’t think of a better place to take to the snow capped fells, paths or lake shores than here in the heart of the Lake District. Pull on your boots and step outdoors – here's a selection of our favourite walks this season.

Visitors walking through a garden in spring

Latest visiting update 

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops and countryside locations are open. Many houses are also open to visit. Advance booking for visits helps us keep everyone safe and socially distanced. At quieter times such as weekdays, booking shouldn't be necessary, but to guarantee entry we recommend booking in advance, especially at weekends and bank holidays.

More details on what's open
View of Mickleden and Great Langdale from Side Pike at Sticklebarn

Our top walks in Langdale  

Enjoy the winter landscape in all its glory on one of our walks in the dramatic Langdale Valley. Choose from short, serene, low-level walks to more challenging fell top expeditions.

Choose a walk in Langdale
walkers and bare trees low sun shining on green moss
Borrowdale and Derwent Water   Cumbria

Find your perfect winter walk in Borrowdale

Make the most of the winter weather - frost crunching under foot, low winter sun making the moss glow green, waterfalls swollen and spectacular with winter rainfall. Here are some of our recommendations for great winter walking.

Find the walk that's right for you in Borrowdale
Tarn Hows in winter, showing the Old Man of Coniston dusted in snow
Walking trail

Tom Gill to Tarn Hows  

This walk is quite steep but if you've got the energy to make it to Tarn Hows at the top, the return route offers spectacular views of the white topped high fells of Wetherlam and The Old Man of Coniston.

Take in the views at Tarn Hows
People walking on the path around Tarn Hows
Tarn Hows and Coniston   Cumbria

Tarn Hows Circular Walk

Tarn Hows is a Lake District classic and this short walk is one anyone can have a go at, with impressive views in every season.

Find out more
Remains of a disused lime kiln, Coniston, Cumbria
Walking trail

Yewdale Valley walk  

A great circular route from the centre of Coniston. This route climbs high enough to take in picturesque frosted views, but it's low-level enough not to be too hard work!

Follow the Yewdale Valley walk
Stone cairn on top of Latterbarrow hill, Lake District
Wray Castle   Cumbria

Wray Castle to Latterbarrow Circular Walk

If you're looking for a walk with rewarding Lakes views, without the big fell climb, don't miss this Latterbarrow loop starting and finishing at Wray Castle.

Plan your walk
Walkers along Windermere's western shore
Walking trail

Windermere western shore 

This is a wonderful linear low-level lakeshore walk, through woodland and parkland. With the trees, bare, make the most of the great views of the islands, interesting woodland archaeology and the Victorian Gothic Wray Castle.

Explore Windermere's western lakeshore
Reflections on Windermere
Fell Foot   Cumbria

Fell Foot's heritage and garden circular walk

Take in the autumn colours as you stroll around Fell Foot, with its complex of historic gothic boathouses, modern Active Base and a wonderful 18th-century pleasure ground including a Pinetum, garden and native flower meadows.

Download the trail
bird hide park end moss
Sizergh   Cumbria

Park End Moss wetland

This circular walk to Park End Moss showcases the diverse nature of the Sizergh estate, taking in ancient woodlands, historic deer parks, pastureland, orchards and a man-made wetland. Please note - the bird hide is shut due to current COVID restrictions.

View our walks online
The 12th-century church in the hamlet of Isel, Cumbria
Walking trail

Explore from Wordsworth House 

Try this lengthy circular walk starting outside Wordsworth House in Cockermouth – the birthplace and childhood home of poet William Wordsworth – and take in fantastic wintry views. Remember to wear your muddy boots for this one as you'll walking along tracks and across fields.

Stretch your legs from Wordsworth House