Ten scenic Lake District walks to enjoy in Cumbria this autumn

Here are ten walks, in ascending order of length, across the Lake District which will show Cumbria’s autumn colours in their finest.

(All are accessible by Stagecoach bus).

Take a look on the map below for a visual representation. 

1) Aira Force (2.5 miles, 212 ft ascent) and Aira Force Waterfall

To access this path, take the 508 bus from Penrith to Glenridding. From the bus stop, head north to join the main road, then right onto a footpath hugging the lake shore.

The path keeps close to the lake all the way to Aira Force where there is a tearoom.

You can extend the 2.5 mile walk further by climbing the path above Lyulph’s Tower for a breathtaking view of the head of Ullswater.

Alternatively, you can extend the walk to the Aira Force Waterfall. 

2) Hampsfell Hospice (3.5 miles, 740 ft ascent)

To access this walk, take the X6 bus from Barrow or Kendal to Grange-over-Sands.

From the bus stop at Grange railway station, walk along Windermere Road and take the path left into Eggerslack Woods where the pavement ends.

This will lead you to a limestone shelter with a topograph to identify landmarks. Savour the panorama of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Hills before heading south along the ridge. Finally, on your descent drop down to Spring Bank and then Hampsfell Road back to Grange.

*NOTE*: The path is muddy in places.

3) Loughrigg Tarn and Loughrigg Terrace (3.6 miles, 558 ft ascent)

You can take the 516 bus from Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge to access this route, before returning on the 555 or 599 bus from Rydal.

To begin, take the lane next to the bus shelter climbing uphill around a right bend and then left onto a track to Tarn Foot and Loughrigg Tarn.

When the track emerges at a lane, turn right, then as it descends go right onto Loughrigg Terrace for a stunning view of Grasmere.

The path then continues alongside Rydal Water, with an optional detour right to Rydal Cave, and on to Rydal village.

4) Tarn Hows (3.9 miles, 342 ft ascent)

If accessing this walk via public transport, you will need to take the 505 bus from Ambleside to Hawkshead Hill before returning from Coniston.

Take the lane signposted 'Tarn Hows' and then turn right at the junction before taking a left onto a path uphill to Rose Castle.

Follow the path keeping The Tarns on your right until you reach a car park. From here a path leads down to Boon Crag and Coniston.

5) Threlkeld to Keswick (4 miles, 95 ft ascent)

If using public transport, ask the bus driver on either the X4 or X5 from Workington or Penrith to Threlkeld to stop at the west end.

You can then walk towards the A66 where the dedicated path begins to enjoy the autumn colours of Brundholme Wood as the route crosses and re-crosses the River Greta.

6) Gelt Woods (5.7 miles, 667 ft ascent)

To access this walk, take a ride on the 685 bus from Carlisle or Newcastle to Brampton, before returning from Hayton Hall.

Ask the driver to drop you at St Martin’s Drive in Elmfield. Here, turn left across fields to Capon Tree Road and then right and immediately left along the lane to get to Low Gelt Bridge.

Take a left here and then climb uphill through the woods to emerge on the road at Middle Gelt Bridge.

Here, take two rights onto a path signposted 'Low Gelt' before turning left for Hayton. Finally, walk through the village and at the far end go right on a lane to the A69.

7) Orrest Head and Jenkin Crag (6 miles, 1,148 ft ascent)

This route is accessible via the 6, 505, 555, 599 and 755 bus services to Windermere, and the 555 or 599 buses back from Ambleside.

To begin, cross the main road from Windermere station to ascent Orrest Head. Admire the view and then head north to Far Orrest and beyond the A592.

Next, turn right where there is a pavement and then left onto a path to a bridge over Trout Beck. Then when you reach the road, turn right and then left to follow Robin Lane to Jenkin Crag and Ambleside.

The route offers an excellent vista across Windermere to the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Fells.

8) Watendlath, Surprise View and Friar’s Crag (7.1 miles, 1,228 ft ascent)

Take the number 78 bus from Keswick to Rosthwaite before returning from Keswick.

The hard work comes straight away with the steep climb up to Watendlath, but you can refuel at the tearoom.

Keep Watendlath Beck on your right, crossing on a footbridge to enter Ashness Wood and then the path will emerge near Surprise View looking down on Derwent Water.

Here, follow the lane to Ashness Bridge and then pick up the path that descends to the main road at Great Wood.

Finally, turn right, then left on the path to Friar’s Crag and Keswick for a truly amazing autumnal walk.

9) Lowther Castle (7.4 miles, 959 ft ascent)

You can access this walk by riding on the 508 bus from Penrith to Eamont Bridge before returning from Pooley Bridge.

When arriving at Eamont Bridge, walk back to the mini-roundabout and then turn right twice to get onto a track through woodland along the River Lowther.

Then, when the track reaches a road, go straight across to the ruin of Lowther Castle. Here, there is a café.

Once refreshed, head downhill to cross the river again to the picturesque village of Askham.

At the junction turn right and then immediately left. The road will become a bridleway climbing to Moor Divock.

Finally, at the top, turn right to join a track to Pooley Bridge.

10) Derwent Water and the Jaws of Borrowdale (7.8 miles, 532 ascent)

This walk starts at Keswick and ends in Rosthwaite.

You can access this route by taking the X4, X5, 554 or 555 buses to Keswick, before returning on the 78 bus.

From Keswick bus station, turn left at the main road to cross the River Greta and then take an immediate left.

Next, turn left to follow the road through the village and then just after the Nichol End entrance, go left on a path through woods to Hawse End alongside Derwent Water.

When the path reaches a lane, then turn left for Grange.

Once in Grange, finally turn right along the path to Rosthwaite through the Jaws of Borrowdale.