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7 family friendly walks in the Lake District National Park

Chris Knight

Walking is easily the best way to enjoy the incredible mountain scenery and landscape that the Lake District National Park has to offer.

With thousands miles of of paths, tracks, and national trails to choose from, there are a bounty of great walks in the Lake District for people of all ages and abilities.

Unfortunately the abundance of choice can sometimes make deciding which route to pick seem difficult and overwhelming.

In this blog I share seven family friendly walks the Lake District National Park.

They include a little bit of everything from lakeside strolls, wonderful waterfalls, terrific tarns and even a hike to a wainwright.

All of the walks are characterised by being low level, having minimal elevation gain, and requiring very little effort to complete.

The majority are also both wheelchair and pushchair friendly, making them perfect for those with young families or if you are looking to give the legs a break from the mountains.

At a glance

  • Friars Crag, Derwentwater

  • Blea Tarn, Langdale

  • Tarn Hows, Hawkshead

  • Buttermere Lake

  • Latrigg Fell, Keswick

  • Rydal Water and Falls, Grasmere

  • Stock Ghyll force, Ambleside

Friars Crag, Derwentwater

A magical short walk along the Derwentwater foreshore to one of the most accessible and beautiful viewpoints in the Lake District.

The 1km route takes you out to Friars crag, which looks out over Derwentwater towards Cat Bells and the Jaws of Borrowdale.

There’s even a bench perfectly positioned at the headland allowing you to enjoy the view for even longer.

From here you can either continue for a further 1.5km around the lake to Calfclose Bay or retrace your steps back to the car park.

Because of its popularity and accessibility I would recommend heading to this spot for sunrise to avoid the crowds and to get an even more magical experience.

Blea Tarn, Langdale

Situated in a hanging valley between Little and Greater Langdale, Blea Tarn is a small but tranquil body of water surrounded by craggy fells.

The mountain lake is extremely popular with landscape photographers due to the mirror-like reflections it produces of the Langdale Pikes. It’s also a great location for stargazing and astrophotography due to its ease of access and dark sky location.

A National trust car park is situated opposite the tarn and is £3 for 2 hours or £5 for all day. Once at the car park you simply cross the road and descend the wheelchair friendly path for 200m until you reach the shoreline.

I'd recommend heading to Blea Tarn for sunrise in order to enjoy it's full beauty.

Tarn Hows, Hawkshead

Situated in the low-level hills between villages of Coniston and Hawkshead, Tarn Hows is one of the most visited and easily accessible tarns in Lakeland. 

Once owned by children’s author Beatrix Potter, The area is a series of tranquil lakes surrounded by beautiful countryside and a thick conifer woodland.

Encircling the Tarn is a 3km wheelchair friendly path which is perfect for people of all ages and abilities.

On route there are several viewpoints which offer mountain views towards the Helvellyn range and the Langdale Pikes.

As it is one of the most popular spots in the Lake District I would recommend heading here in the early morning or the late afternoon to beat the crowds

Buttermere Lake

  • Hike type: Loop

  • Hike distance: 7.4 km

  • Elevation gain: 96m

  • Hike time: 2-3 hours

  • Wheelchair Friendly: Sections, including the northern & western shore

  • Parking: National Trust Buttermere

  • OS Maps Route 

Buttermere valley and lake is consistently voted for as one of the most beautiful landscapes in both the Lake District and the UK. 

The lake shoreline is lined with forests enveloped on three sides by craggy fells. On a calm day you will be treated to glorious reflections of the lofty craggy fells which encircle the lake on three sides.

This 6km hike completes a full loop of the beautiful Buttermere lake and although long, is arguably one of the most relaxing and picturesque in the Lake District. The entire trial is pretty much flat and over half of it is wheelchair friendly.

If you didn’t want to complete a full loop of the lake, you can take a short stroll out to the foreshore at the north western end of the lake.

If the weather is glorious I’d recommend packing some swimmers and a towel for a dip and calling by Croft House Farm Café for a hot drink and some food afterwards.

Latrigg Fell from Underskiddaw

A short (1km each way), but initially steep walk to an amazing view over Derwentwater and the Borrowdale valley.

On a good day, most of the highest mountains in England - Scafell Pike, Great End and Great Gable - should all be seen at the head of Borrowdale and Helvellyn is over to the left.

The car park is located at the head of Gale Road (CA12 4PH). From there pass through the two gates, the wheelchair friendly path skirts around to the right, and the more direct route leads over the t op of the Latrigg Fell.

A great sport for sunrise there also a appropriately placed bench at the viewpoint so you can sit and enjoy the views.

Rydal Water and Falls

A low level loop of the beautiful Rydal Water taking in a easy to follow and well maintained path.

The loop does involve walking on the roadside for the second half of the walk, this can be avoided by retracing your steps.

I’ve also included a visit to the magical Rydal Gardens.

Free to enter, this quaint little area was once home to poet William Wordsworth. It has a stunning waterfall with small viewing house which sits at its base.

Originally built in 1668, ‘The Grot’ is regarded as the oldest viewing house in the country and has a large glass panelled side which looks directly towards Rydal falls. 

Parking near the trailhead can be limited during peak times. Make sure to arrive early enough to beat the crowds. Additionally, the trail can be a bit boggy in places, so remember to wear proper walking footwear.

Stock Ghyll force, Ambleside

A short but scenic hike which starts in the popular village of Ambleside and heads up Stock Ghyll force, a 70ft Waterfall.

The route is well signposted and easy to follow and Although I have listed it as very easy, it does have sections which incooolve steps and some uneven ground to navigate.

So there we have it, seven of the best very easy walks in the Lake District National Park which are perfect for families.

If I had to pick a favourite it would be Buttermere, closely followed by Latrigg Fell.

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You can find more Lake District inspiration in the following blogs;

You can find more hiking inspiration in the following blogs

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