Walking in the Lake District doesn’t have to be extreme. If you’re just getting into hiking or want a peaceful day out with family or friends, these beginner-friendly routes offer beauty, ease, and a big mental boost.

Why Walking Is More Than Just a Workout

There’s something powerful about putting one foot in front of the other. Walking, especially in natural spaces like the Lake District, offers far more than physical exercise.

It helps lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and burn calories—but the mental benefits are just as compelling. Studies show walking in nature can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and even boost creative thinking.

But perhaps the best part? That sense of achievement when you finish a route—whether it’s your first mile or your fiftieth. It gives you a quiet kind of pride. You did it. And you didn’t need to summit a mountain to feel it.

Whether you head out solo to clear your mind, go with a partner for bonding time, or make it a full-on family outing, a good walk is time well spent.

1. Tarn Hows Circular Walk

• Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)

• Time: 1 hour

• Start point: Tarn Hows car park

• Best for: Peaceful views, wheelchair/pushchair accessible

This flat and well-maintained path around Tarn Hows is one of the Lake District’s most scenic short walks. The still waters reflect the surrounding hills and trees beautifully, making it a favourite for photographers and casual walkers alike.

If you’re just beginning your walking journey or going out with kids or elderly relatives, this route is perfect. It’s accessible, calm, and incredibly rewarding.

Achievement boost: You complete the full loop with very little effort—and come away with a pocketful of peaceful views.

2. Orrest Head, Windermere

• Distance: 2.7 miles (4.3 km)

• Time: 1.5–2 hours

• Start point: Opposite Windermere train station

• Best for: Panoramic views with minimal effort

If you’re looking for that first ‘wow’ moment in the Lakes, Orrest Head delivers. This low-level climb rewards you with sweeping views over Lake Windermere and the fells beyond.

The path is clearly marked and includes some gentle uphill walking through woodland. It’s a classic introduction to Lake District walking—and for many, the spot where they fall in love with hiking.

Achievement boost: That first summit. You stand above the trees, look out over the landscape, and feel like you’ve earned it.

3. Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge

• Distance: 2 miles (one way)

• Time: 1–1.5 hours

• Start point: Elterwater village

• Best for: Riverside beauty, lunch stops

This walk follows a gentle riverside trail with constant natural beauty—think stone bridges, waterfalls, and charming woodland. There’s even a café at the end (Chesters by the River) for a well-earned slice of cake.

It’s ideal for beginners who want a satisfying walk that doesn’t require hiking boots or a map.

Achievement boost: Enjoy the sense of progression as the scenery changes, then celebrate with a coffee and cake at the end.

4. Buttermere Lake Circuit

• Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

• Time: 2–2.5 hours

• Start point: Buttermere village

• Best for: Iconic views, gentle terrain

One of the most beloved low-level walks in the Lakes, the Buttermere loop combines lakeside serenity with jaw-dropping views of Haystacks and surrounding peaks.

The terrain is mostly flat and well-marked, making it beginner-friendly. It’s also a great choice for photography lovers.

Achievement boost: It’s a longer walk than most beginner routes, so finishing it feels like a real accomplishment—without being too demanding.

5. Derwentwater Lakeside Walk

• Distance: Up to 10 miles (but you can shorten it)

• Time: 3–5 hours

• Start point: Keswick

• Best for: Custom-length walks, flexible pacing

If you’re ready to level up slightly, the Derwentwater loop offers flexibility. You can walk the full circuit or just do part of it—thanks to regular boat landings that let you hop on and off the Keswick Launch.

You’ll get forests, wildlife, lake views, and mountain backdrops. It’s a great day out, and you can tailor it to suit your energy levels.

Achievement boost: You get to pick your own adventure—walk part, all, or more the next time. Either way, you’re winning.

Why It Matters That You Finish

Each time you finish a walk, no matter how easy or short, your brain gets a hit of dopamine—that feel-good chemical linked to motivation and achievement.

You don’t need a finish line or a medal. Just reaching the car park again or stopping at a quiet viewpoint is enough to tell your brain: you did something today.

That’s why walking in the Lakes is more than sightseeing. It’s therapy in hiking boots.

Ready to Go!

If you’ve been wondering whether walking in the Lake District is for you, this is your sign to start. You don’t need fancy gear, years of fitness, or a Sherpa.

All you need is a little time, the desire to breathe fresh air, and the curiosity to see what’s around the next bend in the path.

Go alone to clear your head. Bring your family to reconnect. Walk with a friend and talk without distractions.

Whatever the reason, these beginner-friendly routes in the Lake District offer more than just views—they offer peace, pride, and a quiet sense of progress.