The hardest hikes in the Lake District National Park - 14 challenging routes
With 214 fells, 197 tarns, and thousands of miles of of paths to choose from, hiking is easily the best way to enjoy the incredible landscape that the Lake District National Park has to offer.
Unfortunately the abundance of choice can sometimes make deciding which route to pick seem difficult and overwhelming.
In this blog I share 14 of my favourite hard hikes in the Lake District National Park which are perfect for the adventurous hiker looking for a challenge.
I have grouped the hikes in two categories: hard and very hard.
All of the walks would be characterised by being long days in the hills which involve significant amounts of elevation gain. They will also navigate sections of steep and technical terrain which may require elements of scrambling.
A good level of fitness is needed to tackle these hikes alongside the appropriate hiking gear, knowledge of navigation, and plenty of food and drink.
Great gable
A navigation App is essential
As Google maps will not cut it out in the hills, I advocate that everyone uses a proper hiking app which they understand and is available to use offline.
My app of choice would be Ordnance Survey.
The yearly subscription, which costs £28, gives you digital access to all 607 OS maps which covers the whole of Great Britain.
You can use it on any device, download routes to your phone, and even print of physical to-scale maps as a backup.
Just always make sure your maps and route is downloaded before you set off, as signal in the hills can be very patchy.
I would also recommend downloading the app Maps.Me.
This is a free offline mapping service which helps with both navigation and finding essential locations such as shops, petrol stations, and restaurants.
I use this to navigate by car when I don’t have any signal, which is a common occurrence in the mountainous areas of the UK.
As it also shows topographical features such as mountains and waterfalls alongside displaying hiking trails and contour lines, it also doubles up as a back-up hiking app to OS Maps.
Finally, always carry a power bank and cable just incase you phone does run out of battery.
Coledale round
Hard hikes
Stickle Tarn and the Langdale Pikes
Hike type: Loop
Hike distance: 9km
Elevation gain: 960m
Hike time: 3-5 hours
Wainwrights summited: Pavey Ark, Thuncar Knott, Pike O Stickle, Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle
Stickle Tarn is another tranquil mountain lake situated in the Langdale valley.
At an elevation of 500m, the tarn sits in a wide mountainous bowl beneath the peaks of Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle and offers glorious views back down the Langdale Valley towards Lake Windermere.
The route initially follows a well-built path on the east side of Stickle Ghyll for one mile up to Stickle Tarn.
The path is not technical but does get steep in places, gaining 370m in elevation in just under a mile. The trade-off is that there are half a dozen waterfalls on route which provide a great excuse to stop for a breather.
From Stickle Tarn you continue to hike up to Pavey Ark, Thuncar Knott, Pike O Stickle, Loft Crag, and Harrison Stickle, where you will get magnificent panoramic views of the southern and western Fells.
Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 8km
Elevation gain: 768m
Hike time: 3-5 hours
Wainwrights summited: Fleetwith Pike (648m), Haystacks (597m)
Technical aspects: Minor scrambling on Haystacks
Parking: Gatesgarth Car Park
One of the classic walks in the Buttermere valley which summits Fleetwith Pike alongside Alfred Wainwright’s favourite hill – Haystacks.
The loop starts with punchy and steep climb up to Fleetwith Pike. From this summit you will be granted stupendous views back down the Buttermere valley and over the surrounding fells.
You'll then descend past two of the Lake Districts bothies before climbing back up to rocky summit of Haystacks.
On the descent you have the option to extend your hike up to High Crag (745m). This will add an extra 2km and 250m of elevation gain to the route.
The view from half way up Fleetwith Pike
The view of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks from the shoreline of Butttermere
Blencathra via Sharp Edge
Hike type: Loop
Hike distance: 7km
Elevation gain: 659m
Hike time: 2.5-5 hours
Wainwrights summited: Blencathra (868m)
Technical aspects: Exposed grade 1 scrambling
Parking: Limited parking at Comb Beck ///motoring.terminology.dumps
Blencathra from Catbells
Blencathra, also known as Saddleback, is an iconic part of the Lake District landscape. Its distinctive table-top shape which towers above the town of Keswick makes it instantly recognisable.
The ascent via the notorious Sharp Edge, one of the Lake District’s most famous Grade 1 scrambles, is a shot but thrilling route which is best saved for a fine day.
People have died falling from this knife edge ridge so treat it with respect and only tackle it if you are confident with heights, have the appropriate footwear and in the right conditions.
Blencathras location and short distance to the summit also makes this a great mountain to ascend for sunrise.
Sharp Edge
Old Man of Coniston via Dow Crag
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 10km
Elevation gain: 740m
Hike time: 4-6 hours
Wainwrights summited: Dow Crag (778m) Old Man of Coniston (803m)
Technical aspects: Some minor scrambling
Parking: Walna Scar Car Park - W3W:quote.guides.dent
The summit of the Old Man above Low Water
The highest point of the historic county of Lancashire, the Old Man of Coniston is iconic peak in the eastern Lake district.
The 803m peak towers over the small town of Coniston and Coniston Water and offers extensive views over the southern Lake District, Morecambe Bay, the Pennines, the Lancashire coast, and the Isle of Man.
Best tackled clockwise, this aried and slightly technical route which has a bit of everything -magnificent views, two great mountains, a trip through and old slate mine, and several hidden tarns.
Dow Crag is a lot quieter than the Old Man, however reaching it does involve a little bit of scrambling. If you dont fancy the technical element, I would recommended skipping out Dow Crag and ascending up to the Old Man via Goats Water instead.
Great Gable from Honister Pass
Hike type: Out and back
Hike distance: 9km
Elevation gain: 739m
Hike time: 4-6 hours
Wainwrights summited: Great Gable (899m), Green Gable (801m), Brandreth (715m), Grey Knotts (694m)
Technical aspects: Minor, non exposed scrambling
Parking: Honister Pass - £5 all day
A splendid walk to one of the finest view points in the Lake District.
The summit of Great Gable may not be the highest, but its unobstructed views down the Wastwater valley over the Lake Districts deepest lake are unprecedented.
The route starts at the Honister pass which cost £5 for all day parking.
I'd advise skirting around the wainwrights of Bandreth and Grey Knotts on the ascent and bag them on the way back down. This way you’ll ease yourself into the hike and avoid starting with very steep initial ascent.
Although not technical or exposed, the final climb up to Great Gable is very steep and may require some minor scrambling.
Skiddaw via Longside Edge
Hike type: Loop
Hike distance: 10km
Elevation gain: 925m
Hike time: 4-6 hours
Wainwrights summited: Ullock Pike (691m), Long side (734m), Carl Side (746m), Skiddaw (931m)
Technical aspects: Some steep sections
Parking: W3W: additives.boil.vines
A cracker of a route in the northern fells which calls by three wainwrights before summiting the monolith which is Skiddaw.
The anticlockwise route (do not tackle this clockwise) takes in some wide and non exposed ridge walking and offers sensational views south over Derwentwater and north back up towards Scotland.
There are some steep sections on the route, especially on the final climb and the descent down from Skiddaw, however it’s nothing technical and the views certainly make up for this.
Parking is in a layby off a narrow road and is very limited, with space for 6 cars, so get there early to snag a space.
Helm Crag and Wythburn Fells
Hike type: Loop
Hike distance: 10km
Elevation gain: 687m
Hike time: 3-5 hours
Technical aspects: One very steep slope
Wainwrights summited: Steel Fell, Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, and Calf Crag
Parking: Little Town - ///flamed.moon.hikes
A stones throw from the popular village of Ambleside, this 10km loop is one of the Lake District's finest rounds of the less prominent fells.
Of the wainwrights visited, Helm Crag is the most well known due to its unique and prominent rocky summit which offers terrific views over Grasmere and surrounding fells.
Although Helm Crag is worthy of a visit in itself, a full circuit of Steel Fell, Gibson Knott, and Calf Crag is a terrific loop and is needed to get a full appreciation of this incredible area.
Fairfield Horseshoe
Hike type: Loop
Hike distance: 15km
Elevation gain: 1,088m
Hike time: 5-8 hours
Wainwrights summited: Dove Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Hart Crag, Heron Pike, High Pike, Low Pike, Nab Scar
Technical aspects: Some minor scrambling
Parking: Pelter Bridge Car Park, Rydal
This route is a cracking day out in the fells and is definitely a must do hike if you’re staying in the surrounding area.
A combination wide ridges, sweeping scenery, panoramic vistas, and no-less than eight Wainwrights makes this horseshoe one of the best in all of Lakeland.
Although long, the hike isn’t technical and only has one very steep initial climb.
The route I have plotted is a shorter version of the classic which usually starts in Ambleside. I've also modified the route so it calls by Buckstones jump on the way back down.
This is a delightful series of plunge pools situated at the base of the valley which are perfect for a post hike dip so dont forget to pack a towel.
Very Hard Hikes
Kentmere Horseshoe
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 20km
Elevation gain: 1,182m
Hike time: 5-8 hours
Wainwrights summited: High Street, Thornthwaite Crag, Harter Fell , Mardale Ill Bell, Ill Bell, Kentmere Pike, Froswick, Yoke, Shipman Knotts
Technical aspects: None
Parking: Kentmere Institute
The Kentmere Horseshoe is one of the longest and most remote walks in the Lake District and is a mega day out in the mountains. The route takes in nine wainwrights traversing all the fells which surround the upper Kentmere valley and its reservoir.
I’d recommend tackling this hike if you want to escape the crowds alongside ticking off as many Wainwrights as possible in one walk. Limited parking is available beside the village hall so get there early to make sure you’ve got a space.
Newlands Horseshoe
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 15km
Elevation gain: 1031m
Hike time: 5-7 hours
Wainwrights summited: Hindscarth, Dale Head, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Catcalls
Technical aspects: Minor scrambling on steep ascents and descents
Parking: Little Town - W3W: receive.professed.craziest
Only a stones throw from Keswick, the Newlands Valley nestles within the fells on the western side of Derwentwater and encompasses an amazing array of mountain scenery.
This walk tackles the skyline crest above the valley and calls by 5 wainwrights in the process. Aside from some steep climbs and elements of scree the route isn’t technical and is relatively easy to follow
Its a cracking day out and offers terrific views back down the valley towards skiddaw, especially from the highest point on the walk, Dale Head.
Great Langdale Round
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 19km
Elevation gain: 1,694
Hike time: 6-10 hours
Technical aspects: Lots of scrambling
Wainwrights summited: Pike O'Blisco (701m), Crinkle Crags (859m), Bowfell (902m), Pike O'Stickle (709m), Harrison Stickle (720m)
Parking: National Trust - Sticklebarn
A challenge hike which traverses the Mickleden valley in Great Langdale, visiting the summits of 6 mountains on the way.
Now I cant comment on how hard this loop is as I’ve never completed it in one go. I have hiked the two halves separately and can tell you they are both cracking routes with epic views, so if you combine them both you’re in for one long but epic day out in the hills
This route starts off climbing Pike of Blisco before heading around and over Crinkle Crags before ascent of the highest peak on the hike– Bow Fell. You’ll then tackle the Langdale Pikes before descending past stickle tarn and back down into the Langdale valley.
Coledale Round
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 15.4km
Elevation gain: 1,302
Hike time: 5-8 hours
Wainwrights summited: Grisdale pike (791m), Hopegill head (770m), Crag hill (838m), Sail (773m), Scar crags (672m), Causey pike
Technical aspects: one steep bastard slope which require some minor scrambling
Parking: Car Park off Winlatter Pass
A proper day out in the mountains, this horseshoe takes in the entire skyline of the Lake District’s Coledale valley, visiting 6 Wainwrights in the process.
The route is incredibly varied with a mixed bag of steep ascents, scrambles, rocky steps, and pleasant soft underfoot grassy lawns.
Probably my favourite of the all the Lake District horseshoes, the ever changing views throughout the hike are unbelievable.
The only negative would be the savagely steep initial climb up to Grisdale Pike. Once you’ve gotten that out of thee way everything else will seem like a breeze.
Helvellyn via the Edges
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 13km
Elevation gain: 924m
Hike time: 4-6 hours
Technical aspects: Two exposed ridges which will require scrambling
Wainwrights summited: Helvellyn (950m) Catstye Cam (890m)
Parking: Glenridding
For those who like adventure, there's only one way to climb Helvellyn and that's from Glenridding using Striding and Swirral Edges to form a horseshoe.
This classic route, which tackles two of the Lake districts most iconic ridges, isn't for the faint-hearted and experience of scrambling is required.
The views are exceptional and the full panorama which you are granted from the third-highest point in England is simply mind blowing.
I would recommend an early start especially if you are tackling this hike in peak season or on a weekend, otherwise you may encounter a traffic jam on the ridge.
Also make sure you pop into Helvellyn café for a hearty bite to eat and a coffee post hike.
Scafell Pike from Seathwaite
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 15.6 km
Elevation gain: 1,143m
Hike time: 5-8 hours
Technical aspects: Some minor scrambling up loose scree
Wainwrights summited: Lingmell (807m), Scafell Pike (978m), Great End (910m)
Parking: Seathwaite Farm
The ascent of Scafell Pike via the corridor route is a classic Lakeland round which provides superb high level hiking on the way up to England’s highest peak.
Make no mistake, this is a tough outing covering many miles of stony and difficult terrain where great care is needed. However, this walk has a real mountaineering flavour to it and includes some easy scrambling.
You also have the option to bag two more wainwrights by calling by the lofty viewpoints of Lingmell and Great End.
Mosedale Horseshoe from Wasdale head
Hike Type: Loop
Hike distance: 16km
Elevation gain: 1,514m
Hike time: 6-9 hours
Technical aspects: Some scrambling, lots of steep climbs
Wainwrights summited: Kirk Fell, Pillar, Scoat Fell, Red Pike, and Yewbarrow
Parking: Wasdale Head Car Park
Mosedale horseshoe as viewed from Great Gable
A monster of a walk which is one of the finest and difficult mountain days in the Lake District.
The route starts at the isolated Wasdale head, with the drive to the car park requiring nearly a much effort as the hike itself. However the views over the deepest lake in the Lake District are worth the trip in itself,
the hike takes in 8 summits, 5 of which are Wainwrights, with the most iconic of those being the summit of Pillar.
At 892 metres (2,927 feet) it is the eighth-highest mountain in the Lake District. The fell takes its name from Pillar Rock, a prominent feature on the Ennerdale side, regarded as the birthplace of rock climbing in the district.
Alongside being granted incredible views, the difficulty of the hike and its isolated location means you wont encounter very many people on this walk.
Wastwater
So there we have it, my favourite 14 challenging hikes in the Lake District.
If I had to pick a favourite it would be Helvellyn via the edges closely followed by the Coledale round.
Apart from Blencathra and Helvellyn all of these hikes are dog friendly providing you keep them on a lead at all times.
How many of these hikes have you done and which is your favourite? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
If you did find the blog helpful, I’d appreciate you giving it a share or giving me a follow on social media, every bit of support goes a long way.
You can find more Lake District inspiration in the following blogs;
The best viewpoints in the Lake District - 12 easy to access locations
The hardest hikes in the Lake District National Park - 14 challenging routes
35 of the best hikes in the Lake district - From beginner to advanced
You can find more hiking inspiration in the following blogs
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