hikes.guideLake District

A Lake District walking collection — generated from live fell & route data.

A footbridge over the wooded cascades on the Stock Ghyll walk above Ambleside
Collection · 47 walks

Walks that are kind on the knees

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Three with the gentlest descent

  1. West Side of ConistonSteepest descent 2% over 250 m5.8 km · ~1–1¾ h
  2. Blea Tarn (Little Langdale)Steepest descent 3% over 250 m2.66 km · ~½–1 h
  3. Buttermere lake circuitSteepest descent 3% over 250 m7.41 km · ~1½–2¼ h

How this list is chosen. A walk is on this list when the steepest sustained descent over any 250 m of its recorded track stays under 18%. These three have the lowest figure, the shorter day first when two tie; a walk drawn one way and walked back is ranked by the steeper of its way in and its way back. It is a gradient measurement, not a surface one. How we check our routes.

Going up is lungs. Going down is knees. Most walk gradings tell you how hard a route is to climb, which is no help at all if the thing you are wary of is the descent. So this list is built from the descent alone. We take each route's recorded GPS track, slide a 250 metre window along it, and find the steepest sustained drop anywhere on the walk. A route only appears here if that worst drop stays under 18% — no sustained steep descent anywhere on the line. Two things this does not claim. It is a gradient measurement, not a surface one: it says nothing about wet rock, loose scree or big awkward steps, which can punish knees on ground that is barely tilted at all — each route guide has that detail. And it measures our recorded line, so a different way off the same fell may be steeper. Routes that did not make the list are not written off; they simply carry a steeper descent somewhere, and we would rather say so than let you find out at the bottom.

47
walks
1.2–15.4 km
distance range
from 15 min
shortest walk

The count is of the list on this page. Distances are measured from each route’s GPX track. Times are worked from distance and climb by Naismith’s rule. How we check →

Effort is the size of the day, from the distance and the climb; each route’s own page grades the steepness, navigation, exposure and ground underfoot, and names the hardest.

  • The Bowder StoneSteepest descent 1% over 250 m on the way in and 4% on the way back1.16 km there and back~16 m climb~¼–½ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedOut and back · Park: Quay Foot Quarry, Borrowdale (NT, paid) · Bus: 78 at the startA very short stroll to Borrowdale's famous balanced boulder — the house-sized Bowder Stone, with steel steps to climb to the top. About 0.6 km each way, so roughly 1.2 km there and back, plus your time at the stone.Terrain: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
  • A footbridge over the wooded cascades on the Stock Ghyll walk above AmblesideStock Ghyll ForceSteepest descent 14% over 250 m1.92 km~89 m climb~½–¾ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationWalked April 2026Park: Ambleside, King Street (paid) · Bus: 555, 810 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA short woodland loop from the middle of Ambleside to the 70-foot Stock Ghyll Force in its steep-sided gorge — at its thundering best after rain, and easily tacked on to a town visit.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 12%.
  • Blea Tarn in Little Langdale on a still, overcast day — boulders in the clear shallows, the Langdale Pikes under cloud beyondBlea Tarn (Little Langdale)Steepest descent 3% over 250 m2.66 km~34 m climb~½–1 hEasy effort Easy: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposureWalked May 2024Park: Blea Tarn (NT, paid) · Bus: 516, 2.4 km walk from Old Dungeon Ghyll HotelA short, lovely loop around little Blea Tarn, with the classic view of the Langdale Pikes mirrored in the water — one of the most photographed scenes in the Lakes for very little effort.
  • Slater Bridge & Cathedral CaveSteepest descent 17% over 250 m2.2 km~92 m climb~½–1 hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedBus: 516, 2.2 km walk from Elterwater, opposite The Britannia InnA short loop from Little Langdale over the slate Slater Bridge and up to Cathedral Quarry, a disused slate quarry on National Trust land. The Trust warns of unprotected sheer drops, deep water and a chance of rockfall at the quarry, and asks visitors to bring a torch. The Trust says there is no parking at the quarry itself; this walk starts beside the Three Shires Inn, whose car park is for its customers. Uneven, rocky ground in places.
  • Tarn Hows ringed by pines, with the fells beyondTarn Hows circuitSteepest descent 7% over 250 m2.92 km~61 m climb~½–1 hEasy effort Moderate: navigationWalked in partPark: Tarn Hows (NT, paid) · Bus: 505, 1.4 km walk from Holling Brow (near)A gentle circuit of one of the Lake District's prettiest tarns, ringed by pines with the Coniston and Langdale fells beyond. Easy underfoot, with National Trust parking, toilets and a seasonal refreshment van.
  • The view over Keswick and Derwentwater from LatriggDryLatriggSteepest descent 10% over 250 m2.48 km~106 m climb~½–1 hEasy effort Easy: distance, steepness and navigationWalked in partPark: Latrigg car park (free) · Bus: 554, 2.6 km walk from Keswick, opposite The PheasantThe little fell on Keswick's doorstep with an outsized view — a short pull from the Gale Road car park to a grassy top looking straight down on the town, Derwentwater and the Borrowdale fells.
  • Lanty's Tarn and Glenridding BeckSteepest descent 15% over 250 m3.11 km~126 m climb~¾–1¼ hEasy effort Moderate: steepness and navigationPlannedPark: Beckside Car Park (paid) · Bus: 508 at the startA short circular of about 3.1 km from Glenridding: a short way up the valley of Glenridding Beck on a public bridleway, up a public footpath and a short path to Lanty’s Tarn, then down public footpaths by Mires Beck and back along the bridleway, with about 130 m of climbing.
  • Ambleside over Miller BridgeSteepest descent 4% over 250 m3.16 km~162 m climb~¾–1¼ hEasy effort Easy: distance, steepness and navigationWalked April 2023One-way: finishes at Pine Rigg · Start: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555, 350 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA short one-way walk of about 3.2 km from the centre of Ambleside, across the River Rothay at Miller Bridge and up the bridleway towards Loughrigg, finishing near Pine Rigg. Town pavements, then a surfaced lane and a compacted bridleway, with about 160 m of climbing. Lee walked it with family and a pram in April 2023.
  • Derwentwater and the Borrowdale fells from Friar's CragFriar's Crag & the Derwentwater shoreSteepest descent 5% over 250 m4.22 km~43 m climb~¾–1¼ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Keswick Rugby Club car park (paid) · Bus: 554 at the startAn almost-level lakeshore stroll from Keswick to Friar's Crag — Ruskin's favourite view down Derwentwater to the Jaws of Borrowdale — on surfaced paths.
  • Elterwater riverside loopSteepest descent 11% over 250 m4.25 km~91 m climb~1–1½ hEasy effort Moderate: terrainPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA short loop from Elterwater village, partly beside Great Langdale Beck — easy, pretty and quick, with the Langdale Pikes ahead. A gentle leg-stretch or a lazy family afternoon.
  • Kentmere to HartriggSteepest descent 8% over 250 m4.47 km~62 m climb~1–1½ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedOut and back · Park: Kentmere Institute (donation, very limited)A short out-and-back of about 4.5 km from Kentmere village up the valley to Hartrigg: a lane and a footpath out of the village, then the valley track, with about 60 m of climbing.
  • Orrest HeadSteepest descent 15% over 250 m4.16 km~173 m climb~1–1½ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Windermere Station car park (Northern, paid) · Bus: 505 at the startWainwright's first Lakeland summit and still the best short introduction to the fells — a steady wooded climb from Windermere to a rocky crown with a sweeping panorama over the lake to the Coniston and Langdale skyline.
  • Humphrey Head from Kents Bank stationSteepest descent 6% over 250 m5.33 km~54 m climb~1–1¾ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedOut and back · Bus: X6, 3.2 km walk from Grange-over-Sands, at Rail StationAn out-and-back walk of about 5.3 km from Kents Bank station to the top of Humphrey Head, with about 50 m of climbing: along the Embankment Path and footpaths past Kirkhead End to Pigeon Cote Lane, then Holy Well Lane and grass paths up the headland to the trig point, and back the same way.
  • Scout Scar from KendalSteepest descent 8% over 250 m5.16 km~96 m climb~1–1¾ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: unnamed car park east of Scout Scar (free) · Bus: 555, 1.6 km walk from Kendal South, opposite Hadwins GarageA loop of about 5.2 km from a car park on Brigsteer Road over Scout Scar, with about 100 m of climbing: west up a public footpath across Bradley Field to the top by the Mushroom shelter, south along the top of the scar, then back east across Helsington Barrows.
  • West Side of ConistonSteepest descent 2% over 250 m5.8 km~27 m climb~1–1¾ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedOut and back · Park: Coniston (layby) · Bus: 505, 660 m walk from Coniston, outside John Ruskin SchoolAn out-and-back of about 5.8 km from the lake end of Lake Road in Coniston, with a short loop where it turns, on permissive cycle paths, surfaced and compacted tracks and lanes, with almost no climbing (about 30 m).
  • Grasmere lake ringed by fells, from the shore pathGrasmere lake circuitSteepest descent 9% over 250 m5.67 km~95 m climb~1¼–1¾ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA gentle circuit of Grasmere lake from the village — easy field paths along the eastern shore and undulating woodland on the west, with the fells reflected in the water and Wordsworth's Grasmere all around. About 3½ miles, almost no climbing.
  • Loweswater circuitSteepest descent 6% over 250 m5.87 km~56 m climb~1¼–1¾ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater (NT, paid) · Bus: 77, 3.2 km walk from Lanthwaite Green Farm (opposite)A nearly-level lap of Loweswater, taking in the lakeshore and the path through Holme Wood. Lovely with a dog.
  • The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside)Steepest descent 4% over 250 m5.94 km~68 m climb~1¼–1¾ hEasy effort Easy: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposurePlannedPark: Ambleside, Rydal Road (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startAn easy, near-level amble from the heart of Ambleside out along the River Rothay and back — parkland, riverbank and quiet lanes beneath the wooded flanks of Loughrigg, with barely 70 m of climbing across 6 km. A gentle leg-stretch to bookend lunch at the Royal Oak.
  • Gummer's HowSteepest descent 18% over 250 m4.75 km~183 m climb~1¼–1¾ hEasy effort Hard: navigationPlannedPark: Gummer's How car park (free) · Bus: 6, 1.2 km walk from Fell Foot, at Gummers HowThe short pull above the foot of Windermere — 4.8 km and 183 m, one of the shortest walks here. Easy for length, and about 1¼–1¾ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
  • Ambleside to Rydal, with Refreshments and Stepping StonesSteepest descent 6% over 250 m6.21 km~78 m climb~1¼–2 hEasy effort Easy: distance, steepness, terrain and navigationWalked in partOut and back · Park: Ambleside, Market Place (4 on-street bays) · Bus: 555 at the startAn out-and-back of about 6.2 km from Ambleside to Rydal along Under Loughrigg Road, the lane on the far side of the River Rothay from the main road. Cross Miller Bridge, pass the stepping stones over the river without crossing them, cross at Pelter Bridge into Rydal, where Rydal Hall’s Old School Room Tea Shop is mapped just off the line, and come back along the lane. Almost all surfaced lane and bridleway, with about 80 m of climbing.
  • Grange-over-Sands to HampsfellSteepest descent 12% over 250 m5.31 km~221 m climb~1¼–2 hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Grange-over-Sands station (paid) · Bus: X6 at the startA loop of about 5.3 km from Grange-over-Sands railway station to the Hospice on the top of Hampsfell, with about 220 m of climbing: up through the edge of the town and on public footpaths to the top, then down by other footpaths and lanes back into the town.
  • Knipe Scar - BirkettSteepest descent 16% over 250 m5.74 km~166 m climb~1¼–2 hEasy effort Hard: navigationPlannedPark: Knipescar Common (verge)A short limestone walk on Knipescar Common east of Haweswater — 5.7 km and 166 m, with one 19% pull over 250 m, and easy for length. Rated hard to navigate from the map: about a third of the line is open, featureless ground with many path junctions, so it needs care in cloud (a desk estimate; this route is planned, not yet walked). About 1¼–2 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained climb, about 17%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
  • The Old Dungeon Ghyll Pub Walk (Great Langdale)Steepest descent 15% over 250 m6.61 km~106 m climb~1½–2 hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Old Dungeon Ghyll (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startAn easy, near-level loop of the Great Langdale valley floor from the Old Dungeon Ghyll, walked entirely beneath the Langdale Pikes — Pike o' Stickle and Harrison Stickle rearing up on one side, Bowfell and the Band on the other. Barely a hundred metres of up-and-down across 6.6 km, so it's a proper leg-stretch with all of the drama and almost none of the grind — and it begins and ends at the pub.
  • Patterdale to Silver Point and BackSteepest descent 8% over 250 m6.5 km~118 m climb~1½–2 hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedOut and back · Park: Patterdale Hotel Car Park (Patterdale Hotel, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startAn out-and-back of about 6.5 km from Patterdale: over Goldrill Bridge, a public footpath, then north on a public bridleway along the east side of Ullswater to Silver Point, with about 120 m of climbing.
  • Ambleside to Wray CastleSteepest descent 6% over 250 m6.54 km~189 m climb~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Easy: distance, steepness and navigationWalked April 2023One-way: finishes at Wray Castle · Start: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555, 360 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA one-way walk of about 6.5 km from the centre of Ambleside to Wray Castle above the north-west shore of Windermere: over the Bronwen Nixon footbridge, through Clappersgate and across Brathay Bridge, then by cycle path, compacted bridleway and a quiet lane over Low Wray Bridge. Lee walked it with family and a pram in April 2023.
  • The Sun Pub Walk (Coniston)Steepest descent 15% over 250 m6.42 km~202 m climb~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Moderate: terrainPlannedPark: Coniston, Ruskin Avenue (paid) · Bus: 505 at the startA short circuit from the door of The Sun in Coniston: 6.4 km with around 200 m of climbing, on the east side of the village. Our description of the way round is being rewritten to match the track; until then, follow the map and the GPX.
  • Buttermere lake circuitSteepest descent 3% over 250 m7.41 km~66 m climb~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Buttermere village (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 77 at the startThe classic low-level lap of Buttermere — a flat, well-made path right around the lake beneath High Stile and Fleetwith Pike, passing the famous lone tree and a short rock-cut tunnel. One of the great easy walks in the Lakes.
  • Rydal Water & Rydal CavesSteepest descent 9% over 250 m6.46 km~216 m climb~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Moderate: steepness and navigationWalked May 2023Park: Pelter Bridge, Rydal (paid) · Bus: 555, 2.3 km walk from Rydal, at White Moss CommonA 6.46 km loop round Rydal Water from Pelter Bridge, with a short there-and-back to Rydal Cave above the south shore and the Coffin Route home under Nab Scar. Low-level, with one short rougher stretch near the cave. The 555 stops beside the loop at White Moss Common, and the route map and GPX are further down.
  • Along Windermere's Western ShoreSteepest descent 5% over 250 m7.57 km~94 m climb~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedOut and back · Park: Harrowslack (NT, paid)An out-and-back of about 7.6 km from Ferry House, where the Windermere Ferry from Bowness lands, north along the western shore of Windermere and back: a lane, then a compacted track that is a restricted byway, with about 90 m of up and down.
  • Elterwater & Skelwith ForceSteepest descent 15% over 250 m7.6 km~164 m climb~1¾–2½ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA riverside walk from pretty Elterwater past Skelwith Force to the reedy shores of Elter Water, with the Langdale Pikes filling the skyline — gentle, varied and largely level.
  • Wastwater Shore (the Screes view)Steepest descent 5% over 250 m8.82 km~77 m climb~1¾–2¾ hEasy effort Moderate: distance and navigationPlannedOut and back · Park: Overbeck Bridge, Wastwater (NT, paid)A low-level walk by Wastwater for the view across the lake to the Screes: 8.8 km with 77 m of climbing and no summits. It looks at the Screes from across the water; it does not cross their boulder field. We have drawn this line from the map and not walked it yet, so we have not checked how much of it is on the road. About 1¾–2¾ hours.Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 24 September 2026.
  • Looking straight up through the conifer canopy in Whinlatter Forest, moss on the trunks and bright overcast sky between the branchesWhinlatter Forest: Tarbarrel Moss, Ullister Hill & Seat HowSteepest descent 17% over 250 m7.32 km~261 m climb~1¾–2¾ hEasy effort Moderate: navigationPlannedPark: Whinlatter Visitor Centre (paid) · Bus: 77 at the startA sheltered forest loop above Whinlatter, climbing on good tracks through the plantation to a trio of low, easily-missed tops. Tarbarrel Moss, Ullister Hill and rocky little Seat How give sudden, outsized views to Skiddaw, Grisedale Pike and the north-western fells for barely 250 m of climbing. A lower option under the trees when the high tops are in cloud; Forestry England can close the forest in storms and divert paths for felling, so check before you go.Navigation: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet.
  • Birketts South of BurnbanksSteepest descent 15% over 250 m7.64 km~303 m climb~2–2¾ hModerate effort Hard: navigationPlannedPark: Haweswater, by the dam (verge) (free)Four low tops in the woods and crags above Haweswater — Naddle Low Forest, Hugh's Laithes Pike, Wallow Crag and Naddle High Forest. Just 7.6 km and 303 m, easy for length but rated hard to navigate. About 2–2¾ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
  • Wray Castle & the Windermere west shoreSteepest descent 7% over 250 m9.58 km~114 m climb~2–3 hModerate effort Moderate: distancePlannedPark: Wray Castle (NT, paid) · Bus: 505, 1.6 km walk from Low Wray, at Wray Castle Road EndA roughly 6-mile circular taking in the mock-Gothic Wray Castle and the western shore of Windermere. A varied, low-level day — flat underfoot but a fair distance.Measured from the GPX track: the distance.
  • Windermere Station to Brockhole and BackSteepest descent 12% over 250 m9.12 km~153 m climb~2–3 hModerate effort Moderate: distancePlannedOut and back · Park: Windermere Station car park (Northern, paid) · Bus: 505 at the startAn out-and-back of about 9.1 km from Windermere railway station to Brockhole on the shore of Windermere, through Troutbeck Bridge and along the shared cycle path beside the A591, with about 150 m of climbing.
  • Birketts by KirklandSteepest descent 16% over 250 m9.15 km~249 m climb~2¼–3 hModerate effort Hard: terrain and navigationPlannedPark: Kirkland road end (verge)A single top at Godworth, a 9.2 km loop with 249 m of climbing, the steepest sustained descent about 12%. The ground and the route-finding are what make it, both rated hard; about 2¼–3 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 16% over 250 m. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
  • Howtown to Patterdale along UllswaterSteepest descent 12% over 250 m9.88 km~214 m climb~2¼–3¼ hModerate effort Hard: navigationPlannedOne-way: finishes at Patterdale · Start: Hallin Fell (layby) (free) · Bus: UB1 at the startA one-way walk of about 10 km from the Howtown pier back to Patterdale along the south-east side of Ullswater: round the foot of Hallin Fell to Sandwick, then a public bridleway past Silver Point and public footpaths over Goldrill Bridge, with about 210 m of climbing in short rises.
  • Round Ennerdale Water from Bowness KnottSteepest descent 9% over 250 m10.9 km~92 m climb~2¼–3¼ hModerate effort Moderate: distance, terrain and navigationPlannedPark: Bowness Knott, Ennerdale (Forestry, paid)A loop of about 10.9 km right round Ennerdale Water from the Bowness Knott car park, with about 90 m of climbing: east on the forest track along the north shore, over the River Liza near the head of the lake, west on the south shore path past Angler's Crag to the foot of the lake, over the River Ehen, and back on bridleways past Bowness to the car park.
  • Rydal Water seen from the Loughrigg shoreLoughrigg Terrace & Rydal WaterSteepest descent 14% over 250 m10.71 km~288 m climb~2½–3½ hModerate effort Moderate: distance and navigationWalked in partPark: Ambleside, Rydal Road (paid) · Bus: 555, 1.6 km walk from Ambleside, at Scandale BridgeA terrace walk from Ambleside over Loughrigg's southern slopes to the famous Loughrigg Terrace view down Grasmere, then past Rydal Cave and back under Loughrigg. Easy-moderate, with a little climbing and some rougher ground.
  • Patterdale to Hartsop and Brothers WaterSteepest descent 11% over 250 m11.48 km~169 m climb~2½–3½ hModerate effort Hard: navigationPlannedPark: Patterdale Hotel Car Park (Patterdale Hotel, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startA low circular of about 11.5 km from Patterdale: south, mostly on public footpaths and bridleways, on the east side of the valley to Hartsop, along the west shore of Brothers Water on a public footpath and back, then north on a permissive path west of Goldrill Beck to Menneting Bridge and home the way you came, with about 170 m of climbing.
  • Eycott HillsSteepest descent 12% over 250 m11.04 km~217 m climb~2½–3½ hModerate effort Moderate: distance and navigationPlannedPark: Mungrisdale village hall (paid) · Bus: 509, 3.2 km walk from Mungrisdale, adjacent to Road EndEycott Hill and Little Eycott Hill on the open ground east of Skiddaw — 11 km with just 217 m of climbing, and its steepest sustained descent is about 10%. Easy for steepness; around 2½–3½ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 12% over 250 m. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
  • Carron Crag from GrizedaleSteepest descent 15% over 250 m10.99 km~392 m climb~2¾–4 hModerate effort Hard: navigationPlannedPark: Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre (paid) · Bus: 505, 4.8 km walk from Hawkshead, at Tourist Information CentreThe high point of Grizedale Forest, a loop of 11 km with 392 m of climbing averaging about 9% with a 21% pull over 250 m at the start. Rated hard to navigate — forest tracks all look alike. About 2¾–4 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 18%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
  • Crummock Water shore circuitSteepest descent 16% over 250 m13.17 km~191 m climb~2¾–4 hModerate effort Moderate: distancePlannedPark: Buttermere village (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 77 at the startThe full circuit of Crummock Water — about 8.2 miles around one of the loveliest of the western lakes. Largely level but long, and boggy in places along the western shore.
  • The full circuit of Derwentwater from KeswickSteepest descent 5% over 250 m14.38 km~103 m climb~3–4¼ hModerate effort Hard: distancePlannedPark: Lakeside long stay car park, Keswick (paid) · Bus: 78, 530 m walk from Keswick, outside Daleview HotelA loop of about 14.4 km right round Derwentwater from the Keswick landing stages, with about 100 m of climbing: south along the east shore past Friar's Crag to Lodore, over the River Derwent on a footbridge at the head of the lake, north along the west shore past Brandelhow and Hawes End to Portinscale, and back into Keswick through the town.
  • Walkers on the grassy top of Wansfell Pike, bog cotton in the foreground and Windermere stretching away belowSummit likely clagged inWansfell Pike and BaystonesSteepest descent 15% over 250 m11.92 km~560 m climb~3¼–4½ hModerate effort Hard: steepnessWalked June 2023Park: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startThe pair above Ambleside — 11.9 km and 560 m, stages averaging about 12% with a 33% pull over 250 m onto Wansfell Pike, and easy for both navigation and exposure. A straightforward half-day at about 3¼–4½ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 31%. Exposure and navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
  • Too windy for the topsGreen Crag & Great Whinscale — the wild Birker Fell roundSteepest descent 17% over 250 m12.03 km~544 m climb~3¼–4½ hModerate effort Hard: terrainPlannedPark: Devoke Water turning, Birker Fell road (verge) (free)A 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, at the turning for Devoke Water, it heads north-north-east across open, boggy moor 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. About 12 km but genuinely rough underfoot, with a big view over the Duddon, Eskdale and out to the sea.Terrain: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
  • Pooley Bridge to ShapSteepest descent 11% over 250 m15.4 km~382 m climb~3½–5 hModerate effort Hard: distance and navigationPlannedOne-way: finishes 12.8 km from the start in a straight line · Start: Eusemere Car Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startA one-way crossing from Ullswater to Shap by the lower line: up the byway from Roehead onto Askham Fell, over Moor Divock past the Cop Stone, then down to the valley road through Butterwick, Bampton and Bampton Grange, joining the Coast to Coast path at Rosgill Bridge for the last 4 km past Shap Abbey. No summit and 15.4 km, more than half of it on minor roads, with a pub and a village shop in Bampton a little past halfway.

Map

● routes

Common questions

How do you decide a walk is kind on the knees?

By measuring, not by opinion. For every route we take the recorded GPS track and slide a 250 metre window along its whole length, looking for the steepest sustained drop. That worst figure is the route's verdict:

  • Under 18% — gentle descent. These are the walks on this list.
  • 18–30% — steep in places. Jarring on tired knees, and we say where on the route it happens.
  • Over 30% — tough descent.

The window matters. A single sharp step and a long sustained descent are different things, and it is the sustained one this measures: a 250 m window finds a quarter-kilometre of steep ground and passes over one steep step.

Does this mean the walk is easy?

No, and the two come apart more often than you would think. A route can be long, boggy, hard to navigate or genuinely remote and still have no steep descent on it — several walks here are full days out. It measures one thing: whether the way down is sustained-steep anywhere. Check the overall grading beside each route for the rest.

What about wet rock and big steps?

Not captured, and worth being plain about. This is a gradient measurement taken from elevation along the track. Polished pitched stone in the rain, loose scree, or a series of awkward knee-high steps can hurt on ground that is barely tilted, and none of that shows up in a percentage. Read the route guide for the surface; use this list for the profile.

Could a walk not on this list still suit me?

Very possibly. A route is excluded the moment any 250 m of its descent passes 18%, even if that is one short section on an otherwise gentle day — and each route page names the point where it happens, with the distance mark, so you can judge whether that one stretch is a problem or whether a pole and five slow minutes covers it.

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Classic horseshoes & roundsLakeland ridge rounds — circular routes that link four or more summits and finish near where they started.103 walksDog-friendly walksWalks where our gate-by-gate census found no stiles blocking a dog's way round — honest verdicts, lead advice included.26 walksEasy & family walksLow-level lakeshores, waterfalls, tarns and gentle viewpoints under 500 m of climb and graded no harder than Moderate on any measure — with honest pushchair, young-kids, view and underfoot flags.31 walks