Collection · 75 walks
Classic horseshoes & rounds
The connoisseur's days out: horseshoes and ridge rounds — circular skyline walks that loop around a valley or tarn, linking four or more summits in a single grand outing and returning near where you started. These are the routes that show the Lakes at their best, walking the tops all day: the Fairfield and Kentmere Horseshoes, the Coledale and Newlands rounds, the Coniston and Mardale skylines and more. They're proper mountain walks — long days with real ascent, sometimes exposed, and committing once you're on the ridge. Check each route's distance, ascent and difficulty, allow plenty of daylight, carry a map and compass, and check the mountain forecast before you go.
75
walks
7–27.6 km
distance range
from 2 hr
shortest day
Map
● routes
An interactive map of the route start points and the fells within about 5 km. Each marker links to its page; the same routes and fells are listed below.
- Blencathra by Sharp Edge7 km~644 m~2.5–3.5 hSevereSummit likely clagged inThe most exposed ridge in the Lake District that walkers routinely attempt — a narrow, airy arete of polished rock above Scales Tarn, followed by a steep pull onto Blencathra and a fine descent over Doddick and Scales Fell. It is a magnificent line. It is also the single most dangerous thing on this site, and we are not going to soften that.
- Birketts South of Burnbanks7.6 km~265 m~2–2.5 h
- Two Birketts from Mardale Head9.6 km~512 m~2.5–3.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Great Gable from Honister Slate Mine9.6 km~690 m~3–4 hHardSummit likely clagged inThe kindest way to England’s most-loved mountain. Honister starts you at 350 m, so the Grey Knotts–Brandreth–Green Gable ridge does most of the climbing for you before the final stony pull onto Great Gable. Four Wainwrights, a summit war memorial and the finest view in Lakeland down into Wasdale — but the top is a broad boulder plateau, and in cloud it is one of the great navigation traps.
- Swarth Fell and Loadpot Hill9.7 km~568 m~2.5–4 hSummit likely clagged in
- Stile End, Outerside, Causey Pike, Rowling End9.9 km~682 m~3–4 hSummit likely clagged in
- St Sunday Crag10 km~782 m~3–4.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, Thornthwaite Crag and Gray Crag10 km~832 m~3–4.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Around Loweswater to Fellbarrow and Low Fell10.8 km~417 m~2.5–4 hSummit likely clagged in
- Allan Crags & Glaramara10.9 km~806 m~3.5–4.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts to the South of Ullswater11.5 km~663 m~3–4.5 h
- Birketts around Grisedale Pike11.7 km~598 m~3–4.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Green Crag & Great Whinscale — the wild Birker Fell round11.9 km~478 m~3–4.5 hModerateSummit likely clagged inA wild, trackless round over the knobbly tops of Birker Fell, in the empty south-western corner of the Lakes that most walkers never reach. From the Birker Fell road it crosses open, boggy moor past Devoke Water — the Lake District's largest tarn — to a cluster of five rocky little summits: Great Whinscale, Crook Crag, then Green Crag, the Wainwright and high point of the day, before Broad Crag and Great Crag on Birker Fell. Under 12 km but genuinely rough underfoot, with proper solitude and a big view over the Duddon, Eskdale and out to the sea.
- Hartsop Fells and Hart Crag11.9 km~765 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Blencathra via Blease Fell11.9 km~750 m~3.5–5 hEasySummit likely clagged inA shorter, easier way up the great northern fell of Blencathra than my favourite round from Mungrisdale over Souther Fell. From Threlkeld it climbs the grassy shoulder of Blease Fell (Knowe Crags) to the summit, with a fine high traverse over Gategill Fell Top, Doddick Fell and Scales Fell, and it avoids the boggy ground of Mungrisdale Common. A grand viewpoint over the northern fells and the Eden valley for relatively modest effort — and well clear of the notorious Sharp Edge.
- Scar Crags, Causey Pike12 km~850 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Up to Skiddaw Round Trip12 km~799 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts by Gowbarrow12 km~550 m~3–4.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Scope End, Hindscarth & Dale Head from Little Town12.1 km~729 m~3.5–5 hModerateSummit likely clagged inA proper Newlands mountain day that most walkers drive straight past. The shapely Scope End ridge lifts you out of Little Town onto Hindscarth, then an airy walk along Hindscarth Edge carries you over to Dale Head above the head of the valley before a long descent back to the start. It's about 12 km with 730 m of ascent, with no scrambling — but the pulls are steep and the tops are big and open. Walk it on a day the Catbells car parks are overflowing and you'll have the ridge largely to yourself.
Langdale Pikes Round12.3 km~830 m~3.5–5 hModerateSummit likely clagged inA grand round of the Langdale Pikes and the fells behind them. From Great Langdale it climbs past Stickle Tarn to take in Pavey Ark (by the walkers' line, not Jack's Rake), Harrison Stickle, Pike of Stickle and Loft Crag, then loops over Thunacar Knott, High Raise and Sergeant Man before dropping back to the valley. It's a simpler line than my previous version, which added Blea Rigg — boggy on the approach from Sergeant Man. Handily, there are toilets at the car park at the end.- Skiddaw via Ullock Pike and Dodd12.4 km~1081 m~4–5.5 hHardSummit likely clagged inA grand horseshoe of the northern Skiddaw group from the forest at Dodd Wood. The walk climbs the clean, shapely ridge over Ullock Pike and along airy Longside Edge to Long Side, then drops to the col by Carl Side before the stiff, loose scree pull onto Skiddaw itself — and one of the great Lakeland summit views, out across the Solway Firth to Scotland. The return crosses back over Carl Side and takes a careful, GPS-checked line down to the wooded little top of Dodd before the drop home through the trees. Five Skiddaw-group Wainwrights — Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, Skiddaw and Dodd — on a satisfying, varied loop: clean ridge, real summit, quiet forest to finish.
- Caudale Moor & St Raven's Edge13 km~724 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
- High Stile, Seat via Buttermere13 km~836 m~4–5.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Grike, Crag Fell and Lank Rigg13.1 km~618 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
- North of Skiddaw13.2 km~707 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
Swineside Knott & Gowbarrow13.3 km~649 m~3.5–5 hModerateSummit likely clagged inA satisfying loop over the heather tops of Gowbarrow above Ullswater, starting from the busy Aira Force car park — but climbing quickly away from the waterfall crowds onto quiet, rolling moorland that most of them never reach. The round takes in Brown Hills, Swineside Knott and Common Fell before the open summit of Gowbarrow Fell, a Wainwright with one of the finest views over Ullswater, which stays with you for much of the way. Moderate, with one steep early pull — save it for a clear day and let the lake do the rest.- Whinlatter Loop13.6 km~671 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Mardale Ill Bell, High Street, The Knott, Rampsgill Head, High Raise and Kidsty Pike13.7 km~862 m~4–5.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Catbells, Maiden Moor & High Spy13.8 km~824 m~4–5.5 hEasySummit likely clagged inA lovely, accessible ridge walk above the western shore of Derwentwater, and a great introduction to the fells. From Hawes End it climbs the shapely little peak of Catbells, then follows the airy but easy ridge south over Maiden Moor to High Spy, with Derwentwater and the Newlands valley spread out below. There are a few easy scrambly steps on Catbells that some guides don't mention, but nothing most people can't manage. A modest, rewarding day with some of the best views in the northern Lakes for the effort.
- Birketts North of Thirlmere13.8 km~910 m~4–5.5 h
- Blake Fell, Gavel Fell, Hen Comb14 km~732 m~4–5.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Castle Crag, Brund Fell & Great Crag14.1 km~795 m~4–5.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Standing Crag, High Tove, Armboth14.3 km~545 m~3.5–5 hSummit likely clagged in
Fusedale Circuit14.7 km~856 m~4–6 hSummit likely clagged inA quiet ~15 km circuit of the Far Eastern fells from Howtown on Ullswater — Hallin Fell, Steel Knotts, Wether Hill, Loadpot Hill, Arthur's Pike and Bonscale Pike — broad grassy tops with grandstand views over the lake. A fine Steamer-and-walk outing.- Seathwaite, Green Gable, Base Brown14.8 km~938 m~4.5–6 hSummit likely clagged in
Ullscarf, Eagle Crag & Sergeant's Crag14.8 km~720 m~4–5.5 hSummit likely clagged inA rugged ~15 km round from Stonethwaite over three Wainwrights — the bold rocky nose of Eagle Crag, neighbouring Sergeant's Crag, and the broad whaleback of Ullscarf — returning down the quiet head of Borrowdale.- Mardale Horseshoe15.3 km~900 m~4.5–6 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts by Carrock Fell15.3 km~668 m~4–5.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- West of Grasmere15.4 km~806 m~4–6 hSummit likely clagged in
- Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor15.6 km~1209 m~5–7 hToo windy for the tops
- Helvellyn & Nethermost Pike via Seat Sandal15.7 km~1121 m~5–6.5 hToo windy for the tops
- High Snockrigg, Eel Crag & Lad Hows15.7 km~1399 m~5.5–7.5 hSummit likely clagged in
Helm Crag & Far Easedale15.9 km~850 m~4.5–6 hSummit likely clagged in
Coledale Round16 km~1108 m~5–7 hHardSummit likely clagged inOne of the great north-western horseshoes, and a properly big mountain day from Braithwaite. From the little car park tucked behind the trees on the Whinlatter Pass road — or straight off the bus — a steady wake-up climb leads up over Kinn and Sleet How before Grisedale Pike shows its hand: a steep, craggy pull the map never quite warns you about, with hands needed on rock near the top. From its rocky summit the round opens out — the airy ridge over Hobcarton Crag to Hopegill Head's tiny, wind-blown perch, the broad sweep to Crag Hill and Sail, then a long, satisfying horseshoe back over the quieter tops of Outerside, Stile End and Barrow. Six Wainwrights, a handful of Birkett tops, and some of the best ridge-walking in the Lakes for the effort.- The Grasmoor round: Whiteside, Hopegill Head and Whiteless Pike16.2 km~1068 m~5–6.5 hHardSummit likely clagged inTen tops and the finest ridge walking in the North Western Fells — up Whiteside, along the narrow crest of Gasgale Crags to Hopegill Head, over the great whaleback of Grasmoor, then out along Wandope and down the elegant cone of Whiteless Pike to Rannerdale. Sixteen kilometres, a thousand metres of climbing, and views over Crummock Water all the way round.
- Birketts above Ullswater16.5 km~694 m~4–6 hSummit likely clagged in
- Extended Mosedale Horseshoe16.6 km~1303 m~5.5–7.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Carrock Fell and Knott16.6 km~718 m~4.5–6 hSummit likely clagged in
Fairfield Horseshoe16.9 km~925 m~4.5–6.5 hModerateSummit likely clagged inOne of the classic Lakeland rounds and a fine first big horseshoe. From the car park at Rydal it's a steady, moderate climb with only a minor amount of scrambling — my kids, then 7 and 10, managed it, though they found it a long day. You can easily start from Ambleside instead: stock up at the shops on the way out and finish at the Royal Oak for a well-earned pint. The full round takes in eight tops, with Fairfield's broad summit the high point and Windermere laid out behind you on the descent.- Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove and Armboth Fell17 km~792 m~4.5–6.5 hSummit likely clagged in
Coniston Old Man Round17.4 km~1148 m~5–7 hModerateSummit likely clagged inA satisfying round of the Coniston fells, and a simpler approach to the Old Man than my longer outing. From Coniston it climbs to the Old Man itself, then follows the high ridge over Brim Fell and Swirl How and back over Wetherlam, with Grey Friar an easy extra along the way. You can extend it further by adding Dow Crag. Big views over the southern fells and the sea, old copper-mine history underfoot, and a proper mountain feel without the biggest mileage.- Mardale circuit17.5 km~1099 m~5–7 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts by Kentmere Horseshoe17.6 km~754 m~4.5–6.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Blencathra to Mungrisdale Common and over the back17.6 km~961 m~5–7 hSummit likely clagged in
Longsleddale Round (Kentmere Pike, Tarn Crag, Grey Crag & Shipman Knotts)17.7 km~1043 m~5–7 hSummit likely clagged inA long ~18 km round from Sadgill in quiet Longsleddale over five Wainwrights — Grey Crag, Tarn Crag, Kentmere Pike, Harter Fell and Shipman Knotts — across some of the loneliest, broadest grass tops in the Far Eastern fells. Real navigation in cloud.- Rosett Pike, Allen Crags, Great End and more17.7 km~1176 m~5.5–7.5 hToo windy for the tops
- Middle Fell, Haycock Seatallan and Buckbarrow17.8 km~1253 m~5.5–7.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts by Loweswater18.7 km~995 m~5–7 hSummit likely clagged in
- Around Loweswater19.1 km~1019 m~5.5–7.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Lesser Man, Skiddaw and Bakestall in the sun!19.3 km~1116 m~5.5–7.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Brock Crags, Angletarn Pikes, Beda Fell & Place Fell19.7 km~1070 m~5.5–7.5 hHardSummit likely clagged inA big, varied Far Eastern round above Patterdale and the quiet Boredale and Bannerdale valleys — over Brock Crags to lovely Angle Tarn (one of the prettiest sheets of water in the Lakes), along the grassy whaleback of Beda Fell, and up characterful Place Fell for its superb view down Ullswater. Nearly 20 km and a proper day out, but rarely hard underfoot.
- Kentmere Horseshoe20.1 km~1029 m~5.5–7.5 hSummit likely clagged inThe classic round of the Kentmere valley — a 20 km, ~1,030 m horseshoe over eight Wainwrights: up over Yoke and the shapely Ill Bell ridge to Thornthwaite Crag, then back over Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts. A long, high, broad-ridged day in the Far Eastern fells.
- Langdale Horseshoe20.2 km~1497 m~6.5–8.5 hSevereToo windy for the topsThe full Langdale Horseshoe — fifteen tops, 1,500 m of ascent and one of the hardest days in the Lakes that involves no rope. The Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, the whole Crinkle Crags ridge and Pike of Blisco in a single round. It is long, rough, and the Crinkles will try to lead you down the wrong side. Do not start it late.
- The Coniston Horseshoe20.8 km~1279 m~6–8.5 hSummit likely clagged inThe full Coniston Horseshoe — the grand ~21 km, ~1,280 m round of seven Wainwrights above Coniston: Wetherlam, the steep Prison Band onto Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Brim Fell, the Old Man of Coniston and Dow Crag. The big day out; for the shorter version see the [Coniston Old Man round](/routes/coniston-old-man-round.html).
- Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag, Steel Fell and Tarn Crag20.8 km~910 m~5.5–7.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Angletarn Pikes and the Martindale round22.2 km~1349 m~6.5–9 hHardSummit likely clagged inA long, quiet circuit of the Far Eastern fells above Patterdale — over Rest Dodd and out to the remote peak of The Nab, then back across Brock Crags to the twin tops of Angletarn Pikes, and home over Beda Fell and Place Fell. Twenty-two kilometres and six summits in some of the emptiest country in the National Park.
- Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside22.4 km~1350 m~6.5–9 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts North of Skiddaw23 km~1434 m~7–9.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts West of Thirlmere23.1 km~1047 m~6–8.5 hSummit likely clagged in
- West of Wet Sleddale - Birketts23.8 km~856 m~6–8 hSummit likely clagged in
- Birketts West of Haweswater23.8 km~1235 m~6.5–9 hSummit likely clagged in
- Cockup at the White Hause and other Birketts23.9 km~1160 m~6.5–9 hSummit likely clagged in
- Hart Side, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, Watson's Dodd and more24.4 km~816 m~6–8 hSummit likely clagged in
- Very Long Day Out26.8 km~1743 m~8–11 hSummit likely clagged in
- Sour Howes, Sallows, Yorke, Illl Bell, Frostwick and Troutbeck Tongue in the sun!27.6 km~1395 m~7.5–10.5 hSummit likely clagged in
Nothing matches those filters — .
Common questions
What is a horseshoe walk in the Lake District?
A horseshoe is a circular ridge walk that climbs onto the skyline at one side of a valley or tarn, follows the tops around the head of it, and descends the far side — tracing a horseshoe shape back to near the start. Linking several summits in one continuous high-level round, they're among the most rewarding (and most committing) days in the fells. A ‘round’ is the same idea, often named after the valley it encircles.
What are the best horseshoe walks in the Lakes?
The classics include the Fairfield Horseshoe (from Ambleside), the Kentmere Horseshoe, the Coledale and Newlands rounds (from Braithwaite and Keswick), the Coniston skyline over Wetherlam and the Old Man, and the Mardale Horseshoe above Haweswater. This page lists every multi-summit ridge round on the site, with its distance, ascent, time and difficulty.
How long and how hard are these rounds?
Most are half-day to full-day walks — typically 13–20+ km with 900–1,400 m of ascent over four to ten summits. They demand a good level of fitness and confident navigation, and a few add real exposure on edges and ridges. Read each route's difficulty rating (length, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposure) before you commit, and pick a settled day with enough daylight.