Buttermere Round the Lake
Distance: 7km
Height gain: 89m
Time (approx): 2hrs
Difficulty: Easy
Often voted the best low-level walk in the Lake District - and we agree! Roughly 2hrs, with the cafes and pubs of Buttermere at the halfway point.
What you need to know: While there isn't much height change, the terrain is uneven in places & the path goes through a short tunnel.
Click here to see the route on the OS Maps website.
Warnscale Bothy Out & Back
Distance: 5km
Height gain: 325m
Time (approx): 2hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
For something more challenging, but still around the 2 hour mark, going up to Warnscale Bothy and back offers incredible views down towards Buttermere. It is one of the most photographed views in the Lake District.
What you need to know: The uphill section is fairly short, but steep (about 300m height gain over about 1km of the route). But you can decide to turn back whenever suits you - this is an "out and back" route.
Click here to see the route on the OS Maps website.
Haystacks & Innominate Tarn
Distance: 7km
Height gain: 560m
Time (approx): 3-4hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Want to climb a Wainwright fell? Haystacks was his favourite of all, and Gatesgarth Cottage is its nearest house. Innominate Tarn offers a spectacular point to pause. This is where Wainwright's ashes are scattered, and you'll see why he chose that spot.
What you need to know: Significant height gain, and some scrambling in places. There are several route options for coming down, but we tend to favour Warnscale as the route back.
Click here to see the route on the OS Maps website.
Ennerdale & Black Sail
Distance: 10km
Height gain: 600m
Time (approx): 4hrs+
Difficulty: Moderate
This route takes you over Scarth Gap, into the Ennerdale Valley, recently featured in the media as the wildest valley in the Lakes. Managed by Forestry England, the evergreen forest does feel remote and other worldly. Stop off at Black Sail Youth Hostel (an off-grid jewel in the YHA crown) for refreshments - they have an honesty box, so bring cash!
Click here to see the route on the OS Maps website.
Pillar & Black Sail
Distance: 13km
Height gain: 1300m
Time (approx): 8hrs+
Difficulty: Difficult
Experienced walkers in search of a longer day's climb may enjoy the challenge of Pillar. This is another route that takes in the Ennerdale Valley and Black Sail Youth Hostel, although it is considerably more challenging!
Click here to see the route on the OS Maps website.