The 5 best walks in Grasmere, Cumbria: Routes, difficulty, and what to expect

Grasmere village has loads of walks on its doorstep, which sounds great until you’re actually trying to pick one. Do you fancy a flat stroll or a proper climb? A couple of hours or half a day? 

To help you figure it out, here are five of the best walks from Grasmere village. We list the real distance, elevation, and time for each one, so you can choose based on facts rather than guesswork.

The best Grasmere walks at a glance

Difficulty ratings and durations are subject to your experience and fitness. All five of these walks from Grasmere village require reasonable fitness, but they vary in length and elevation. Make sure to research routes thoroughly outside of this article to ensure that you’re prepared for the walk you choose. 

1. Grasmere Lake circular

If you want to stretch your legs without committing to a fell, this is the route to choose. It’s one of the gentle circular walks from Grasmere, looping around the lake itself.  It’s also flat enough for most fitness levels and ages.

Start from the village and head down towards the lake via Redbank Road, then follow the shoreline path through Deerbolts Wood before looping back. There’s a lovely spot on the southern shore for a paddle or a bit of stone skimming, and it’s an easy one to do with kids or dogs in tow.

Good to know: This route can get boggy in wet weather, especially through the woodland sections, so decent shoes still matter (even on an “easy” walk!).

2. Helm Crag

Helm Crag is the fell that looms right over the village. Known as “The Lion and the Lamb” for the rock formations on its summit, it’s short and steep but still manageable if you don’t hike in the fells all the time. 

The path climbs steadily up through the Easedale valley before reaching the summit ridge, with views over Grasmere and out towards the Easedale valley waterfalls on the way. You don’t need to attempt the final scramble to enjoy the views; most walkers are happy reaching the plateau below it.

Good to know: If you want more of a challenge, the Calf Crag extension below adds two extra summits to this same fell.

3. Easedale Tarn

The Easedale Tarn walk from Grasmere is the route for waterfall lovers! The path follows Sourmilk Gill, a series of cascades that tumble down from the tarn. The setting at the top (a glacial tarn tucked into the fells above the village) is beautiful, with the surrounding fells reflecting in the water on a clear and still day. 

The first stretch out of Grasmere is flat and easy, passing a stone bridge and cobbled path, before the route steepens alongside the waterfalls and up the Sourmilk Gill valley. Most people treat the tarn as the turnaround point, with plenty of spots to stop for a picnic before heading back down.

Good to know: The tarn’s stony shore is a popular wild swimming spot in summer, so pack a towel if that’s your thing!

4. Rydal Water loop

This is the longer, more scenic option if you want to link Grasmere with its smaller neighbour, Rydal Water. The path follows part of the historic Coffin Route before dropping down to the lake itself, with a little beach to stop halfway round.

The route passes Rydal Hall and Gardens (worth a stop at the café and to see the waterfall visible from the bridge) before crossing stepping stones over the River Rothay. From here, you’ll reach Rydal Water, a good spot for swimming or just watching the water. Continue past Rydal Cave and back over White Moss Bridge.

Good to know: This is a longer walk than the others so far, but the terrain is gentle throughout. It’s more about distance than difficulty. 

5. Calf Crag and Helm Crag summit loop

This route involves a proper ridge walk taking in three summits: Steel Fell, Calf Crag, and Helm Crag, with Gibson Knott along the way too. It’s the longest and highest-climbing route in Grasmere by some distance, so treat it as a full day out! 

The route climbs to Steel Fell summit first, then follows the ridge over Calf Crag and Gibson Knott (with great views back over Easedale Tarn along the way. Head to the final summit (Helm Crag summit) to see panoramic views over Grasmere village and the surrounding fells.

Good to know: this one covers nearly 600m of climbing, so it’s a proper mountain day rather than an afternoon stroll. Save it for good weather and a full day, and make sure you’ve got the fitness and navigation confidence for a longer ridge route.

FAQs about walks in Grasmere, Cumbria

Which Grasmere walk is best for families with young children? 

The Grasmere Lake Circular is the easiest and flattest option, with plenty of spots to stop for a paddle. The lower section of the Easedale Tarn path (before the climb alongside the waterfalls) also works well if you want a shorter, gentler outing.

Are these walks dog-friendly? 

Yes, all five are popular with dog walkers, though it’s worth keeping dogs on a lead near livestock, which you’ll find on several of the routes (particularly around Helm Crag and Easedale Tarn).

Where can you park in Grasmere?

Grasmere village has a handful of pay-and-display car parks, all a short walk from the trailheads above:

• Stock Lane car park is the first car park you’ll reach when entering Grasmere from the south, with public toilets alongside. 

• Broadgate Meadow car park on the northern edge of the village, next to the children’s playground.

• Red Bank Road car park has 77 spaces, no height restriction, and is the closest car park to Grasmere Lake. 

Book your Lake District base to explore walks in Grasmere, Cumbria

From a flat afternoon walk by the lake to a full day on the ridge over Calf Crag, Grasmere has a walk for whatever kind of day you’re after. 

Take a look at Coppermines Cottages for a self-catered base nearby. You’re a short drive (or even a bus ride) from every trailhead on this list, so no early starts lost to motorway traffic and no long drive back with tired legs at the end of the day.