Winter Fell Walking Tips
With the first snows beginning to fall on higher ground, the more adventurous among you may be thinking of visiting the Lake District and exploring the fells over the next few months.
The Coppermines has a great range of cottages within walking or easy driving distance to the best winter walks in the UK. Then after your walk, kick back and enjoy warming up by a real fire and making some great food in the well-equipped kitchens all our cottages come with.
Walking during the colder winter is a lot different from taking a gentle stroll around a lake in the spring and summer. As with any trip up to the fells, making sure you have the right kit and prepare properly is essential. Here are some of our top tips if you are planning on some great winter walks in the Lake District this Winter.
Walk with Someone Who Has Experience
If this is your first-time winter fell walking, it’s a good idea to go with someone who has a bit more experience, just to be on the safe side. When you’re climbing a remote fell like Helvellyn, one of the more popular routes in the Lake District, it’s easy to get into difficulty if the conditions are challenging.
Keep Track of the Weather
As you might expect, the weather plays an important part in fell walking around the Lake District. If it’s changeable, seriously consider delaying your walk until conditions have settled a bit more.
The good news is that websites such as Lake District Weather Line will help keep you up to date and make an informed decision on whether to go for your hike or not.
Kit You Need in Your Backpack
As any experienced fell walker will tell you, having the right kit with you is essential. Not only do you need warm clothing and suitable winter footwear but some equipment that is specific to walking in cold weather.
These include ice picks and crampons, a pair of goggles and a torch. It’s also a good idea to teach yourself map reading and how to use a compass.
The weather can change pretty quickly over the fells so another piece of kit you’ll need is some good waterproofs.
3 Great Winter Fell Walks to Try
Picking the right route can be a challenge in the Lake District because there is so much to choose from.
One of the most popular tracks is Helvellyn which is a great place to start for less experienced fell walkers. It’s highly accessible and there are different routes with varying degrees of difficulty. Around Christmas and New Year it also attracts more walkers so you’ll never really be completely alone.
Kentmere Horseshoe is another medium difficulty walk and offers some amazing views of the local area. It’s a spectacular hike especially when there is snow on the ground. One problem with the walk, however, is that parking is pretty limited which means you should be getting there as early as you can.
Another brilliant hike is Wansfell Pike which is less demanding and the perfect place to start your winter fell walking experience. The summit gives you a beautiful view of Windermere and it’s an excellent choice if there is a low cloud around. Where other fells might be shrouded in mist, Wansfell is low enough to still give you amazing views.
There’s no doubt that walking over the fells during the winter is a different experience compared to hiking during the spring and summer. It’s important, however, to make sure that you have the right kit with you and that you are fully prepared. Even if you don’t need a particular bit of kit, it’s better to have it in your backpack than not have it at all.
