Short and Rewarding Walks in the Lake District
I’ve recently been thinking about what “outdoorsy” means and I think there’s often an assumption that loving the outdoors has to involve extremes - big hikes, constant challenges or pushing yourself physically every time you head outside. But for me, it definitely doesn’t always look like that! Challenging hikes definitely have their place, but they’re not the only way to enjoy the outdoors. With that in mind, I wanted to share some of my favourite short but rewarding walks in the Lake District - perfect if you’re visiting in winter (with less daylight hours), have poor weather days or simply want stunning scenery without committing to a full-day hike.
If you are looking for where to stay in the Lake District or more inspiration for your Lake District trips, you can browse my previous guides:
Buttermere Lakeshore Walk
I’ve talked about this walk and shared lots of about it on my socials already, so of course I had to include it again here. It’s by far one of my favourite walks in the UK. I’ve only ever visited midweek, so it’s always felt peaceful and relatively quiet, making it extra special. The lakeshore walk is around 4.5 miles, making it a perfect short but rewarding route. The path takes you all the way around the lake, with stunning scenery the entire way. I’d really recommend packing a picnic to have by the water. It’s an easy, classic Lake District walk that delivers beautiful views without a big climb.
If you are looking for a longer walk or more challenging option, you can also extend the walk to include Crummock Water (which is much larger) or combine it with ascents of peaks like Haystacks or Red Pike.
Key facts:
Distance: 4.5 miles (7km)
Time: 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace
Difficulty: Easy
Hallin Fell
Hallin Fell is a short walk above Howtown with beautiful views of Ullswater, the mountains and valleys. The easiest version of the walk starts from St Peter's Church as it takes out a lot of the climbing. Despite being a relatively easy hike, the views are genuinely exceptional. The landscape in the northern Lakes feels particularly dramatic, and you’re rewarded with stunning 360-panoramic views at the top.
A note of caution: we visited on a very windy day and the conditions were intense! Always check the weather forecast before setting off, especially as conditions can change significantly with elevation. Even though it’s a short walk, it can feel surprisingly overwhelming in strong winds.
If you’re looking to extend the walk, you could park in Pooley Bridge and take the Ullswater Steamer to Howtown and start the walk from there. Alternatively, you could just head to the shores of Ullswater after for a relaxed lakeside stroll.
Key facts:
Distance: 1.2 miles (2.6km) if starting from St Peter’s Church
Time: 45 mins - 1 hour at a relaxed pace
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Black Moss Pot
The walk to Black Moss Pot takes you through the beautiful Langstrath Valley, and I always find valley walks some of the most dramatic and scenic (in general, not just in the Lakes!). This one was particularly lovely. We visited on a very rainy day, but I imagine it’s even more stunning in the sunshine.
The walk is easy and mostly flat, making it a great option if you want something low effort but high reward. At the upper end of the valley, you’ll reach Black Moss Pot itself - a beautiful waterfall pool surrounded by steep rock. It’s well known as a wild swimming spot in warmer months, although even if you’re not brave enough to take a dip, it’s a very lovely spot to take in the scenery. I really enjoyed it as a standalone walk as it’s another great example of a walk that doesn’t require a big ascent to feel special.
If you’re looking for a challenge, you can extend the walk by climbing Eagle Crag, Sergeant’s Crag or Ullscarf, all of which rise above the valley and offer bigger views.
Key facts:
Distance: 4.3 miles (7km)
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Raven Crag
This trail takes in great views as you make your way along the fairly straightforward path to the top of Raven Crag. It’s quite steep in places and almost entirely uphill, but it’s relatively short and very manageable if you take your time. The view at the top is more than worth the effort - you get views over Thirlmere and the surrounding fells, and even on a cloudy day the landscape feels SO atmospheric. I’d also recommend allowing extra time to soak in the views at the top.
Some rougher and steeper sections will be more difficult after rain, snow or in wintery weather. Make sure to check the weather forecast before setting out and carry warm and waterproof layers with you.
Key facts:
Distance: 2.1km
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Blea Tarn
Blea Tarn is another one of my favourites and although I haven’t been back for a few years, it’s one of my most memorable Lake District walks. I visited in September and it was genuinely one of the quietest, most peaceful places I’ve ever experienced. It was so silent that we ended up sitting for ages, enjoying a picnic while looking out towards the Langdale Pikes. The whole place felt incredibly atmospheric and far more remote than it actually is.
On a clear day, the reflections of the surrounding fells in the tarn are supposed to be stunning. We visited on a rainy, overcast day, but even then it was still beautiful in a more moody way!
A small note on getting there: the drive to Blea Tarn involves a narrow, winding road, so it’s worth making sure you’re confident driving on single-track roads before setting off. That said, once you arrive, the walk itself is gentle, accessible, and hugely rewarding for very little effort.
Key facts:
Distance: 3.2km
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Rydal Water and Grasmere
Rydal Water and Grasmere is one of the first places I ever visited in the Lake District and it’s still one I return to regularly as it’s so special. It’s also really easy to access by public transport, making it a brill option if you’re visiting the Lakes without a car. From Grasmere village, you can tailor the walk to be as short or long as you like e.g. you could do a gentle loop around Rydal Water, a stroll along Grasmere or a longer route that links both.
The views are so beautiful (I know I’ve said that for all of these walks…). It’s one of the more popular ones from my list so I recommend visiting early in the morning or midweek for a quieter stroll. There are also plenty of benches along the way so it’s an ideal spot for a picnic. After the walk, you can head back to Grasmere for a wander through the village’s shops and coffee spots.
Key facts:
Distance: 3-8km (depending on route)
Time: 1 - 2.5 hours (depending on route)
Difficulty: Easy
Glenridding and Patterdale Circular
One of my new favourite gentle hikes in the Lake District is the Glenridding to Lanty’s Tarn walk, which I discovered on my most recent trip. The route offers incredible valley views and a real sense of being immersed in the landscape (which I think is one of the best bits of these walks!) without the need for a demanding climb. The route is generally easy, with just a short uphill section leading up to Lanty’s Tarn.
If you’re feeling keen and the weather is on your side, you can extend this into the Glenridding, Patterdale and Rooking Round walk, which takes around 2.5 - 3 hours in total. This longer route adds more varied scenery while still being accessible for most fitness levels.
Key facts:
Distance: 4.3km
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
To summarise, my recommended short but rewarding walks in the Lake District are:
Buttermere Lakeshore Walk
Hallin Fell
Black Moss Pot walk
Raven Crag
Blea Tarn
Rydal Water and Grasmere Loop
Glenridding and Patterdale Circular
I hope this guide is a reminder that you can enjoy the outdoors and the Lakes without long, exhausting hikes. These short but rewarding walks have some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen in the UK and require little time planning and little physical effort. They’re ideal for a long weekend, gentle exploring and winter trips where you have less time.
If you are looking to plan a trip to the Lake District in 2026, I hope you found this guide helpful. If you are looking for more UK travel inspiration, follow along on Instagram and TikTok where I share more regularly.
Thanks for reading,
T.
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