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Walks near Aira Force

21 routes and 10 fells within about 5 km of Aira Force, nearest first. Each fell carries today’s conditions and the bus where there is one. Planning the trip? See the full Aira Force guide for parking, buses and where to stay.

Walking routes near Aira Force

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.

• Gowbarrow Fell and Little Mell Fell →Start 0.3 km away15.11 km~713 m~4–5¾ hHard effort Hard: distanceWalked August 2023Park: Aira Force (NT, paid) · Bus: 508, 470 m walk from Matterdale, opposite Aira ForceA round above Ullswater over Gowbarrow Fell and Little Mell Fell — two quite different tops, the first a rocky shoulder over the lake, the second a bare grassy dome. About a fifth of it is pathless.Navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Birketts by Gowbarrow →Start 0.5 km away12.03 km~591 m~3¼–4¾ hModerate effort Hard: steepness and navigationWalked in partPark: Aira Force (NT, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startFive tops around Gowbarrow Park above Ullswater, including the Wainwright summit of Gowbarrow Fell — 12 km and 591 m, with one stage averaging 16%. Rated hard to navigate despite the modest scale. Around 3¼–4¾ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 27%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Aira Force & Gowbarrow Fell →Start 0.5 km away6.88 km~341 m~1¾–2¾ hEasy effort Hard: steepnessWalked in partPark: Aira Force (NT, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startAira Force's 65-foot waterfall, then up onto the open top of Gowbarrow Fell (481 m) for the view over Ullswater: 6.9 km and 341 m. The gorge at the falls has sheer sides, slippery rock and stone steps, and the pull above the falls onto Gowbarrow reaches about 31% over 250 m. Keep children and dogs close at the falls.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 27%. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 24 September 2026. Hazard notes checked by Lee McCoy: Gowbarrow Fell (Wainwright summit) (14 June 2026); they draw on Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
• Swineside Knott & Gowbarrow →Start 0.6 km away13.27 km~657 m~3¾–5 hModerate effort Hard: steepnessPlannedPark: Aira Force (NT, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startA satisfying loop over the heather tops of Gowbarrow above Ullswater, starting from the Aira Force car park and climbing quickly away from the waterfall onto rolling moorland. 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.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 29%.
• Birketts above Ullswater →Start 0.6 km away16.45 km~766 m~4½–6¼ hHard effort Hard: distance and navigationPlannedPark: High Cascades (NT, paid) · Bus: 509, 750 m walk from Dockray, outside The Royal HotelTen Birkett tops strung along the Dodds above Ullswater, from Low How and Randerside over Great Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd — 16.5 km and 766 m across eleven stages. Rated hard to navigate; about 4½–6¼ hours.Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Hart Side, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, Watson's Dodd and more →Start 2.4 km away21.89 km~1281 m~6½–8¾ hSevere effort Severe: distanceWalked August 2023Park: Low How (layby) · Bus: 509, 1.6 km walk from Dockray, outside The Royal HotelThe Dodds from High Row: seven tops in 21.9 km with about 1,280 m of climbing, over Birkett Fell and Hart Side to Raise, the highest at 883 m, then back north over Stybarrow Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Great Dodd and Clough Head. Severe for length and hard for navigation: the tops are broad grassy domes with few features, so carry a map and compass for cloud. The descent off Clough Head reaches about 37% over its steepest 250 m, and the day ends with a long walk east along the Old Coach Road. About 6½–8¾ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest descent, about 37% over 250 m. Navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 24 September 2026.
• The Mell Fells & Gowbarrow Fell →Start 3.8 km away15.78 km~776 m~4¼–6 hHard effort Hard: distance and steepnessPlannedPark: Roadside parking for Watermillock Fell (free) · Bus: UB1, 1.0 km walk from Horrockwood, opposite The Quiet Site
• Fusedale Circuit →Start 3.9 km away14.68 km~888 m~4¼–6 hHard effort Severe: steepnessWalked September 2024Park: unnamed car park south-east of Hallin Fell (free) · Bus: UB1, 540 m walk from Martindale Cattle Grid (near)A ~15 km circuit of the Far Eastern fells from St Peter's Church above 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.
• Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor →Start 3.9 km away15.58 km~1269 m~5–7 hSevere effort Hard: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposureWalked September 2023Park: Beckside Car Park (paid) · Bus: 508 at the startA hard round above Glenridding by every measure the site records — 1,269 m of ascent in 15.6 km. A steep pull straight out of the valley leads over Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike, then the notoriously wet ground at Nick Head, the fine cone of Catstye Cam, and a long 558 m descent that tells on tired knees.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 34%; the steepest descent, about 32% over 250 m. Terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Birketts to the South of Ullswater →Start 3.9 km away11.53 km~790 m~3½–5 hModerate effort Hard: steepness and navigationPlannedPark: unnamed car park south-east of Hallin Fell (free) · Bus: UB1, 550 m walk from Martindale Cattle Grid (near)Sleet Fell, Low Birk Fell and the Birk Fell tops on the southern shore — five summits in 11.5 km with 790 m of climbing. Hard for steepness and hard to navigate; about 3½–5 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 31%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Swarth Fell and Loadpot Hill →Start 3.9 km away9.69 km~599 m~2¾–4 hModerate effort Severe: steepnessWalked in partPark: Hallin Fell car park (free) · Bus: UB1, 530 m walk from Martindale Cattle Grid (near)Four far-eastern tops above Ullswater — Swarth Fell, Loadpot Hill, Brownthwaite Crag and Steel Knotts — in 9.7 km with 599 m of climbing. Severe for steepness, hard to navigate; about 2¾–4 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 36%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Hallin Fell →Start 3.9 km away1.98 km~165 m~½–1 hModerate: steepness🏞️ Easy & familyWalked in partOut and back · Park: unnamed car park south-east of Hallin Fell (free) · Bus: UB1, 530 m walk from Martindale Cattle Grid (near)A short, steep little climb from St Peter’s Church at The Hause, above Howtown, to a superb all-round viewpoint over Ullswater — maximum reward for minimum effort. The Howtown steamer pier is about 1 km from the start as the crow flies, further on foot, so it can make a car-free outing.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 25%.
• Lanty's Tarn and Glenridding Beck →Start 3.9 km away3.11 km~126 m~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.
• Helvellyn via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge →Start 3.9 km away12.71 km~948 m~4–5½ hHard effort Severe: terrain, navigation and exposureWalked in partPark: Beckside Car Park (paid) · Bus: 508 at the startThe most famous — and most serious — way up England's third-highest mountain, over the knife-edge arêtes of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, taking in shapely Catstye Cam. I've walked the summit and Catstye Cam, but not Striding Edge or Swirral Edge, and it's a genuinely dangerous route that demands a head for heights, sure footing and settled conditions; it sees accidents every year. If the edges aren't for you, the far safer walkers' option is to climb via White Side from Thirlmere. In winter the edges become full mountaineering terrain needing an ice axe, crampons and the experience to use them.Exposure and terrain: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked. Hazard notes checked by Lee McCoy: Helvellyn (17 July 2026) and Catstye Cam (13 June 2026); they draw on Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.
• Great Mell Fell →Start 4.2 km away3.47 km~274 m~1–1¾ hEasy effort Moderate: steepnessWalked August 2023Out and back · Park: Great Mell Fell layby · Bus: 509, 1.8 km walk from Matterdale End, outside Brook House FarmThe gentler of the two Mell Fells and an easy hour from the road — a single steady pull of 273 m to a domed summit with no mapped crags anywhere near the line.
• Howtown to Patterdale along Ullswater →Start 4.4 km away9.88 km~214 m~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.
• Grisedale Tarn, Fairfield, St Sunday Crag from Patterdale →Start 4.6 km away15.92 km~983 m~4¾–6½ hHard effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Patterdale Hotel Car Park (Patterdale Hotel, paid) · Bus: 508 at the start
• St Sunday Crag →Start 4.6 km away10.22 km~838 m~3¼–4¾ hModerate effort Severe: steepnessWalked January 2025Park: Patterdale Hotel Car Park (Patterdale Hotel, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startThree 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, 10 km and 838 m. The walking line stays clear of the crags, but it is not all grass: the ridge to St Sunday Crag turns rocky, and the way back off Gavel Pike crosses steep grass and small rocky steps that are treacherous when wet or icy. The descent reaches about 45% over 250 m near 8.3 km.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 45% over 250 m. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 24 September 2026. Hazard notes checked by Lee McCoy: Arnison Crag (14 June 2026), Birks (14 June 2026) and St Sunday Crag (13 June 2026); they draw on Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
• Patterdale to Silver Point and Back →Start 4.6 km away6.5 km~118 m~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.
• Patterdale to Hartsop and Brothers Water →Start 4.6 km away11.48 km~169 m~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.
• Place Fell and The Knight →Start 4.6 km away7.28 km~547 m~2¼–3¼ hModerate effort Hard: steepnessPlannedPark: Patterdale Hotel Car Park (Patterdale Hotel, paid) · Bus: 508 at the startStraight up from Ullswater to Place Fell and The Knight — 7.3 km and 547 m, with a stage averaging 16%. Easy for length but hard for steepness. About 2¼–3¼ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained descent, about 35%. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.

Fells within about 5 km

• Gowbarrow Fell (Wainwright summit) →1.5 km away481 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusDecent · 66 · rated on 27 OctoberDryGowbarrow Fell at 481m (1,579ft) rises above the wooded western shores of Ullswater, its open summit giving excellent views of the lake — particularly the middle reach from Howtown to Pooley Bridge.
• Hallin Fell →3.4 km away388 m~¾–1 h🚌 BusDecent · 65 · rated on 27 OctoberClear tops, dryHallin Fell at 388m (1,273ft) is one of Lakeland's most perfectly formed little summits — a grassy cone projecting into Ullswater above Howtown, its summit giving the finest aerial view of the lake's two bends in all of Lakeland.
• Glenridding Dodd →3.5 km away442 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsGlenridding Dodd at 442m (1,450ft) is a small grassy summit above the Glenridding valley, its top giving good views of Ullswater and across to Sheffield Pike.
• Place Fell →3.7 km away657 m~2¼–3 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsPlace Fell at 657m (2,156ft) is the great ridge fell on the eastern shore of Ullswater, its long summit ridge giving one of the finest views of the lake in all Lakeland.
• Sheffield Pike →3.8 km away676 m~5–6¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsSheffield Pike at 676m (2,218ft) is a craggy, satisfying summit above Glenridding with outstanding views of Ullswater.
• Hart Side →4.1 km away756 m~4¼–5½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHart Side at 756m (2,480ft) is a broad, grassy summit between Stybarrow Dodd and the Ullswater shoreline, giving commanding views over the eastern shores of the lake and across to the High Street range.
• Little Mell Fell →4.2 km away505 m~1½–2 h🚌 BusDecent · 65 · rated on 27 OctoberDryLittle Mell Fell at 505m (1,657ft) is the smaller companion of Great Mell Fell, standing above the Matterdale valley with views across to Ullswater and the Eastern Fells.
• Beda Fell (Beda Head) →4.5 km away509 m~5½–7¾ h🚌 BusDecent · 55 · rated on 27 OctoberDryBeda Fell at 509m (1,670ft) is a long ridge above Martindale, its summit giving outstanding views of Ullswater and the northern Eastern Fells.
• Steel Knotts (Pikeawassa) →4.8 km away432 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsSteel Knotts at 432m (1,417ft) is a small, rocky summit above Martindale with excellent views of Ullswater from its craggy top.
• Great Mell Fell →4.8 km away537 m~1–1¼ h🚌 BusDecent · 64 · rated on 27 OctoberDryGreat Mell Fell at 537m (1,760ft) is an isolated, conical summit above the Vale of Matterdale, its distinctive shape standing out from the surrounding farmland.

5 of the fells here are rated good to climb on 27 October — see live conditions →
A prediction from our daily fell score, not a guarantee — always check the mountain forecast before you go. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in new tab).

Distances are straight-line from the centre of Aira Force — ‘within ~5 km’ means as the crow flies, not that the walk necessarily starts there. Always plan your own route and check the bus before you travel.