Collection · 49 walks
Good walks in poor weather & low cloud
When the cloud is down and the high tops are wild, these are the lower-risk routes to consider — our walked routes that are both easy to navigate (clear lines, no featureless plateaus where you'd lose your way) and low in exposure (no edges or big drops). That makes them more forgiving in poor visibility. But lower-risk is not ‘safe’: hill weather is serious whatever you climb, so carry a map and compass and know how to use them, check the mountain forecast, and turn back if it doesn't feel right. The conditions shown are our daily prediction — and a route is only as good as its worst summit, so that's what we score.
49
walks
2.4–23.9 km
distance range
from 0.8 hr
shortest day
21
dog-friendly
11 of these are rated good to climb on 11 September — see live conditions →
A prediction from our daily fell score (clear summits, wind, rain, visibility), not a guarantee — always check the mountain forecast before you go.
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.
- Holme Fell and Black Fell13.7 km~604 m~3.5–5 hModerateCracking · 75Dry, firm underfootTwo low wooded tops between Coniston and Tarn Hows, and a fine half-day when the high fells are under cloud — nothing above 315 m, though 50 path junctions near the line mean it pays to keep track of which one you are on.
Great Mell Fell3.5 km~269 m~1–1.5 hEasyDecent · 70Dry, firm underfootThe gentler of the two Mell Fells and an easy hour from the road — a single steady pull of 268 m to a domed summit with no mapped crags anywhere near the line.- Lingmoor Fell from Elterwater11.5 km~487 m~3–4 hModerateDecent · 70Dry, firm underfootThe best low fell in Langdale, and the one that shows you the valley properly. Lingmoor sits between Great and Little Langdale, so the Pikes rear up across the dale in front of you the whole way along the ridge. Side Pike at the far end throws in a famous rock squeeze. Half the effort of the big Langdale rounds and arguably a better view of them.
Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave10.4 km~392 m~2.5–3.5 hModerateDecent · 68DryThe classic Ambleside circuit of Loughrigg Fell — up through Rothay Park and over Todd Crag past Lily Tarn, across the undulating top to the summit trig point, then down to Loughrigg Terrace above Grasmere and back along the fell's flank via Rydal Cave. Low in height, big in views, and the best-value 10 km in the central Lakes.
Rivings and Lothwaite4.4 km~271 m~1–1.5 hEasyDecent · 68Dry, firm underfootA short, steep little round above Wythop — Rivings, Lothwaite and Sale Fell in 4.4 km, but with 271 m of climbing packed into it and a stage averaging 12%. Easy for length and exposure; a little over an hour.
Stone Arthur from Grasmere6.8 km~516 m~2–3 hModerateDecent · 67DryThe steep little top above Grasmere, out and back in 6.8 km with 516 m of climbing. Easy for length, navigation and exposure — it is the gradient that makes it, rated hard. About 2.2 hours.- Green Crag & Great Whinscale — the wild Birker Fell round11.9 km~478 m~3–4.5 hModerateDecent · 66Dry, firm underfootA 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.
- Around Loweswater to Fellbarrow and Low Fell10.8 km~417 m~2.5–4 hModerateDecent · 65Mixed but walkableA short north-western round over Low Fell, Sourfoot Fell, Smithy Fell and Fellbarrow — 10.8 km and 417 m, moderate on every axis except steepness. Under three hours at a steady pace.
- High Rigg3.6 km~215 m~1–1.5 hEasyDecent · 64DryAn hour's round over Naddle Fell, and a great deal of view for 215 m of climbing — with one steep pull near the top and a stretch of pathless ground to keep it honest.
Wansfell Pike and Baystones11.9 km~534 m~3–4.5 hModerateDecent · 63DryThe pair above Ambleside — 11.9 km and 534 m, nothing steeper than about 12% on average, and easy for both navigation and exposure. A straightforward half-day at about 3.3 hours.
Heughscar Hill & Arthur's Pike11.7 km~436 m~3–4 hModerateDecent · 63Dry, firm underfootTwo gentle tops on the limestone above Pooley Bridge — 11.7 km and 436 m, nothing steeper than about 8%, and easy for exposure. Moderate throughout otherwise: around 3.1 hours.- Great Borne & Starling Dodd16 km~1100 m~5–6.5 hHardMarginal · 54Mixed but walkableRed Pike, Starling Dodd and Great Borne along the western end of the High Stile ridge — three tops, 16 km and 1,100 m, with one stage averaging 20%. Hard for length, severe for steepness; about 5 hours.
Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Lesser Man, Skiddaw and Bakestall in the sun!19.3 km~1116 m~5.5–7.5 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inSkiddaw the long way, taking in Lonscale Fell and Bakestall — 19.2 km and 1,116 m, with a 22% lung-buster onto Lesser Man and loose slate underfoot high up. The plateau is fully exposed to the wind, and the round commits you to a 9.7 km walk out from Bakestall.
Whinlatter Loop13.6 km~671 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inA quiet north-western round above Whinlatter that opens with a brutal 32% climb onto Graystones. After that it is undulating grass and forest over Broom Fell, Lord's Seat and Barf — boggy in places, and Lord's Seat is marked by the remains of an old fence post rather than a cairn.- Great Calva, Knott, High Pike and Carrock Fell17.6 km~656 m~4.5–6 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inCoomb Height, Knott and Great Calva in the empty country behind Skiddaw — 17.6 km and 656 m, nothing averaging steeper than about 8%. Hard for length and terrain, severe for steepness; about 4.6 hours.
Ling Fell & Sale Fell5 km~417 m~1.5–2.5 hEasyMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inTwo small grassy tops near Wythop — 5 km and 417 m, and the only route in this group rated easy on every axis but steepness. A stage averages 16%. Well under two hours.
Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell from Keswick12.5 km~655 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inA proper fell day that starts and finishes on foot from Keswick — no car needed. Walla Crag gives one of the great Derwentwater views for very little effort; Bleaberry Fell behind it is a rougher, boggier, quieter proposition that most people skip. Together they make a satisfying half-day horseshoe straight out of the town.
Up to Skiddaw Round Trip12 km~799 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inA compact way onto Skiddaw over Lonscale Fell — 12 km and 799 m — keeping off the tourist path for most of the climb. Burnt Horse Ridge is steep and often wet underfoot, the summit plateau is fully exposed to whatever the weather is doing, and the return is a sustained 519 m descent on stone and gravel.
Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove and Armboth Fell17 km~792 m~4.5–6.5 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe long boggy ridge south from Keswick — five tops in 17 km with 792 m of climbing, hard for both length and steepness but easy for exposure. About 4.7 hours.- West of Wet Sleddale - Birketts23.8 km~856 m~6–8 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inNine tops on the empty Shap fells — Seat Robert, High Wether Howe, Nabs Moor, Selside Pike and Hare Shaw among them — in 23.8 km with 856 m of climbing. Severe for length; about 6.2 hours.
West of Grasmere15.4 km~806 m~4–6 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inSix tops on the rough ground west of Grasmere — Tarn Crag, Codale Head, Sergeant Man, Blea Rigg and Swinescar Pike — in 15.4 km with 806 m of climbing. Hard for length and steepness; about 4.4 hours.
Raven Crag Easy Walk5.8 km~312 m~1.5–2.5 hEasyMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe short climb to the crag above Thirlmere — 5.8 km and 312 m with a stage averaging 20%. Easy for length, terrain, navigation and exposure alike; the gradient is the only thing rated hard. Under two hours.
North of Skiddaw13.2 km~707 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inEight tops in the quiet grassy country north of Skiddaw — Longlands Fell, Brae Fell, the two Sca Fells, Meal Fell and Great Cockup among them. Gentle underfoot and rarely busy, but nearly a fifth of the line is featureless ground where a compass earns its keep.
St Sunday Crag10 km~782 m~3–4.5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThree tops and an outlier on the long Patterdale ridge — Arnison Crag, Birks and St Sunday Crag, with Gavel Pike a short detour off the summit. Steep in places, but the walking line stays well clear of the crags throughout.- The Tongue Birkett10.6 km~689 m~3–4.5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe Tongue and Bowscale Fell from the Mungrisdale side — 10.6 km with 689 m of climbing and a stage averaging 17%, which is what earns it a severe steepness rating. Easy for exposure once you are up; about 3.3 hours.
Swineside Knott & Gowbarrow13.3 km~649 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit 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.
Blencathra to Mungrisdale Common and over the back17.6 km~961 m~5–7 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inBlencathra by its southern ridges — Scales Fell and Doddick Fell onto Hallsfell Top — then over the back for the quieter Bannerdale Crags and Bowscale Fell, taking in Mungrisdale Common on the way. Nine tops, 17.6 km and 961 m, rated severe for steepness but only moderate for navigation and exposure. About 5.1 hours steady.
Birketts North of Skiddaw23 km~1434 m~7–9.5 hSevereMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe full northern sweep over Skiddaw itself — Bakestall, the Middle and South Tops, Sale How and more, nine tops in 23 km with 1,434 m of climbing. Severe for length; about 7 hours of steady walking and the biggest day in this group.- Carrock Fell and Knott16.6 km~718 m~4.5–6 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inFive northern tops from Carrock Fell over Miton Hill and High Pike to Knott — 16.6 km and 718 m, with one stage climbing at an average of 25%. Severe for steepness, hard for length, but only moderate to navigate. About 4.5 hours.
Catbells, Maiden Moor & High Spy13.8 km~824 m~4–5.5 hHardMarginal · 40Summit 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.
Castle Crag, Brund Fell & Great Crag14.1 km~795 m~4–5.5 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inBorrowdale's small rough summits in one round — Castle Crag, King's How, Brund Fell and Great Crag. Nothing higher than 440 m, but with 58 path junctions near the line and four mapped crag features, it is a surprisingly easy day to wander off.- Allan Crags & Glaramara10.9 km~806 m~3.5–4.5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inGlaramara's knobbly crest and Allen Crags, five summits linked along the ridge above Borrowdale. 806 m of climbing in 10.9 km, rated severe for steepness though navigation and exposure both stay moderate. About 3.5 hours.
- A quiet Birkett13 km~587 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThree low tops on the empty northern edge of the fells — Green How, Lowthwaite Fell and Longlands Fell — in a 13 km round with 587 m of climbing. No stage averages steeper than about 6%, and it is easy for exposure: about 3.6 hours of quiet walking.
- Ard Crags & Knott Rigg19.7 km~687 m~5–7 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged in<AI-GENERATED for planned routes; replaced with Lee's own account once Revised>
Binsey Walk2.4 km~175 m~0.5–1 hEasyMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe northern outlier, and the biggest view-per-minute in the Lake District. Binsey stands alone above the Solway plain with nothing between it and Scotland — forty minutes up a grassy path and you can see the whole Skiddaw massif on one side and the Galloway hills on the other. A first fell, an evening fell, a fell for a bad forecast everywhere else.- Around Loweswater19.1 km~1019 m~5.5–7.5 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe full circuit of the fells around Loweswater — six tops from Darling Fell round to Blake Fell, 19.1 km and 1,019 m, with no stage averaging steeper than about 8%. A long day rather than a hard one: roughly 5.5 hours steady.
Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag, Steel Fell and Tarn Crag20.8 km~910 m~5.5–7.5 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe full Far Easedale horseshoe from Grasmere, and a longer, wetter day than Helm Crag alone suggests. The true summit — the Howitzer — needs an exposed scramble, and beyond Gibson Knott the ground turns to peat hags and bog that stay wet in all seasons, with Brownrigg Moss the hardest crossing of the day.
Grike, Crag Fell and Lank Rigg13.1 km~618 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inFour quiet tops in the far western fells — Grike, Crag Fell, Whoap and Lank Rigg — on a clear line throughout with no mapped crags beside it. Rough grass and big skies, and you will likely have it to yourself.
Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, Thornthwaite Crag and Gray Crag10 km~832 m~3–4.5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inFour tops above Hartsop in 10 km with 832 m of climbing, including a stage averaging 35% — as steep as anything on the site. Severe for steepness but only moderate for navigation and exposure. About 3.4 hours.
Helm Crag & Far Easedale15.9 km~850 m~4.5–6 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThe full skyline of Far Easedale from Grasmere — Helm Crag's rocky top first, then Gibson Knott, Calf Crag and Steel Fell around the rim of the valley. A long day at 15.9 km, and the head of Easedale can be vague in cloud.
Hartsop Fells and Hart Crag11.9 km~765 m~3.5–5 hModerateMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inSix tops from Gale Crag over Hartsop Above How to Hart Crag — 11.9 km and 765 m, with one stage averaging 20%. Severe for steepness, moderate everywhere else; about 3.6 hours.- Cockup at the White Hause and other Birketts23.9 km~1160 m~6.5–9 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inA long round on the northern fells over Great Cockup, Great Sca Fell, Knott and Little Calva — 23.9 km and 1,160 m, with no stage averaging steeper than about 10%. The distance rather than the gradient is what makes it a full day: roughly 6.7 hours of steady walking.
- Esk Pike and Great End17.7 km~1099 m~5–7 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inEsk Pike and Great End, the two big tops at the head of Eskdale, reached by a 17.7 km round with 1,099 m of climbing. Nothing on it averages steeper than about 11%: the difficulty is the scale rather than any one pull, and both navigation and exposure are rated only moderate. Allow around 5.4 hours.
Gowbarrow Fell and Little Mell Fell15.1 km~705 m~4–5.5 hHardMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inA linear crossing above Ullswater from Gowbarrow Fell to Little Mell Fell — two quite different tops, the first a rocky shoulder over the lake, the second a bare grassy dome. Not a loop, and about a fifth of it is pathless.- Bampton Fell11.2 km~455 m~3–4 hModerateA single top on Bampton Common, out and back in 11.2 km with 455 m of climbing and nothing steeper than about 7% on average. Moderate throughout and easy for exposure — about 3 hours at a steady pace.
- Watendlath & the packhorse bridge10.3 km~298 m~2.5–3.5 hModerateA roughly 6.4-mile Borrowdale loop up to the hidden hamlet of Watendlath, its tarn and the much-photographed packhorse bridge, returning down the valley. A satisfying low-level half-day.
- Low Light Haw5.6 km~247 m~1.5–2 hEasyA short, quiet loop onto Low Light Haw, one of the overlooked Bethecar Moor Birketts on the wild eastern side of Coniston Water. While the crowds file up the Old Man across the lake, this little top sees almost no one — a steep pull up through the woods onto open, heathery moor, a wide view over Coniston Water and the southern fells, and an easy return. Under 6 km, but with one genuinely steep climb: a fine short outing for a clear day and a bit of solitude.
- Eycott Hills11 km~216 m~2.5–3.5 hModerateEycott Hill and Little Eycott Hill on the open ground east of Skiddaw — 11 km with just 216 m of climbing and nothing averaging steeper than about 3%. Easy for both steepness and exposure; around 2.6 hours.
- Wastwater Shore (the Screes view)8.8 km~77 m~1.5–2.5 hEasyA level walk along the Wastwater shore for the view across to the Screes — 8.8 km with 77 m of climbing and no summits at all. Easy on every axis but length; about 1.9 hours.
Nothing matches those filters — .
Common questions
What makes a walk lower-risk in poor weather?
Two things, and we only include routes that have both, walked and confirmed: low exposure (no edges, scrambles or big drops where a slip in poor visibility has consequences) and easy navigation (clear paths and lines, not broad or featureless tops where you can easily go wrong in cloud). It's about reducing risk, not removing it.
Does that mean these walks are safe in cloud?
No. No fell walk is ‘safe’ in poor visibility. These are lower-risk than the edges and high plateaus, but you still need a map and compass and the skills to use them, the right kit, and to check the mountain forecast. Cold, wind and disorientation catch people out even on gentle ground. Turn back if conditions worsen.
How is "good today" decided for a whole route?
We take the worst of the route's summits in our daily fell score — a round is only as good as its hardest top, so this is the honest figure for the whole walk. As always it's a prediction from the forecast (clear summits, wind, rain, visibility), not a guarantee.