Fell Walks for Beginners and Families

Going for a walk as a family is a wonderful way to spend quality time together. You can take in the incredible scenery of the Lake District, breath some fresh, mountain air into your lungs and enjoy a real sense of adventure & discovery, together – and what’s more its completely free!

If maybe you’re new to hill-walking yourself or perhaps if you’re taking to the hills for the first-time with younger ones in tow, we’ve put together some of our favourite, family-friendly fell walks – no scrambling, no hazardous precipices, no complicated navigation, just pleasantly enjoyable walking with a bit of a climb for that true sense of achievement and prized views upon reaching the summit.

1. Black Fell (Circular distance approx. 5 miles)

Black Fell can be reached as a detour from the popular Tarn Howes circular route. One of Wainwrights 2014 fells, Black Fell (or Black Crag as it is otherwise known) made his list for a reason – although relatively short in height, the 360 degree views from the summit make it a more than-worthy addition.

You can start the walk from the Tarn Hows National Trust Car Park, or to include Tom Gills Waterfalls in the walk, from the National Trust Tom Gill Car Park near Yewtree Farm. You can choose to walk Tarn Hows in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction (we recommend clockwise for maximum views). At the northern-most tip of Tarn Hows a stile leads north from the main tarn path. Follow the footpath to a gate leading on to the Mountain Road. Turn right and follow the road to a gate into the Iron Keld enclosure on your left. Follow this path through the plantation until a gate leads onto open fell side. Immediately after the gate turn right to follow a fainter footpath which will eventually take you to the summit of Black Fell. From the summit you can retrace your steps back to Tarn Hows before completing the circular walk around the tarn. A route description and map can be found here.

2. Black Combe (circular distance approx. 5 miles)

Whilst just about qualifying for mountain status at 600 metres, Black Combe at the south-western edge of the Lake District, makes for a perfect first-time fell walk due to its grassy, dome-like shape. What makes this walk a must however is the simply awe-inspiring views – Black Combe is where the mountains meet the sea and you’ll be treated to extraordinary mountain and coastal views throughout your ascent (try to chose a clear day if you can for this one). On the clearest of days this one of the only places in England where you can also see Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man from one spot!

The walk begins at the St Mary’s Church at Whicham on the A595 where there is a decent-sized car park with an honesty box. Behind the church a lane heads upwards before turning into a track. A gate on your right leads to an obvious path which in turn takes you all the way up to the summit. An initial steep climb makes way for a more gradual ascent – where you can enjoy the height gained as the astonishing views unfold. A route map can be found here.

3. Loughrigg Fell (circular distance approx. 3 miles)

There are many starting points for Loughrigg Fell including from Ambleside. We’ve chosen the route from White Moss however due to it being one of the most straight-forward in terms of navigation – plus it takes in woodland, lake and fell views so is a perfect all-rounder! There is also decent parking at one of 2 sizeable car parks at White Moss. In addition, this route can also be extended to include the excitement of Rydal Caves –  a must for parties with little explorers in their midst.  

From White Moss Car Park head towards the path in the southwest corner. The path soon meets the River Rothay. Cross the footbridge and follow the signed footpath to Loughrigg Terrace. You emerge from the woods onto the main Rydal to Grasmere footpath. From here your objective is to reach Loughrigg Terrace a path which runs alongside the fellside roughly parallel to Rydal Water. Turn right to follow the path as it heads towards Grasmere before turning back on itself as it gains height.By the wall near the end of the terrace a stone path heads steeply upwards towards the summit of Loughrigg. The views from the top of Grasmere, Rydal and the surrounding fells are simply breath- taking. When you finished taking in the views retrace your steps to descend to Loughrigg Terrace. As the path descends to Rydal Water you have the option of continuing on to White Moss or taking the obvious “high” path left running above and parallel to the lake which will take you to Rydal Caves. You can then drop down and follow the lakeside path back to the gate leading to the woods and White Moss. A route map can be found here.  

4. Latrigg (circular distance approx. 3.5 miles)

This fell is super easy (as Alfred Wainwright pointed out “anybody who cannot manage this short and simple climb is advised to give up the idea of becoming a fellwalker”) and benefits from starting and finishing in Keswick – so there are ample opportunities for much-deserved refreshments upon the walk’s completion.

The walk begins in Spooney Green Lane on the outskirts of Keswick. A footpath leads to a footbridge over the busy A66 before entering Latrigg Woods. Keep heading though the woods and ignore a signpost on your right to Latrigg. The path leaves the woods and passes through a gate leading onto the fellside with views across to the imposing Skiddaw. The path contours the fellside before zig-zagging it’s way upwards. The ascent is easy and gradual and the views delightful.

The summit is open and grassy and makes the perfect spot for a picnic with a view There is the then the option to retrace or steps head onwards on the summit path which then turns right to descend through the woods and eventually re-joins the path from Spooney Green Lane.

A route map for this walk can be found here:

5. Wansfell Pike (circular distance approx 4.7 miles)

While quite steep in places, the path from Ambleside to Wansfell Pike is stone-pitched and easy to follow. The route from the centre of Ambleside also takes in the impressive Stockghyll Force waterfalls, giving some added interest to younger, and older, walkers alike. The waterfalls are located just behind Ambleside town centre, the lane to which begins behind The Market Hall and what was once Barclay’s Bank. Continue uphill on Stockghyll Lane before an obvious path sign-posted to the waterfalls is reached on your left. Follow the path through the woods and alongside the magnificent falls. At the top end of the waterfall walk a branch off the path turns right to take you through a striking iron turnstile gate and back to the lane. Follow the lane up hill for a short distance before taking the stone stile over the wall on your right leading up to Wansfell Pike summit.

From the top there are unimpeded views of Ambleside, Coniston Old Man, the Langdale Pikes and more. Wainwright baggers can make the undulating trek from Wansfell Pike to the true summit of Wansfell around 1 mile away along the ridge. The best views however are to be had on here on Wansfell Pike which stands prominently over Windermere. Retrace your steps down to Stockgill Lane and into Ambleside for ice-cream, pasties, cakes or whatever takes your fancy! A map for this walk can be found here: