The Lake District National Park is in the northern part of England in Cumbria. ‘Lakeland’ is the most well-known National Park in the UK (occupying 885 square mls) and is considered the most beautiful region and the UK’s best destination for walking and rock climbing.

Hills or mountains in the the Lake District are known by their local name of Fells. The Lake District’s Fells are England’s only real mountain range and though not large by international standards (ie none being anything above 3000 f.t or 1 thousand mtrs) they nevertheless offer a large number of energy sapping and rewarding fellwalks. All can be walked (instead of “climbed” without equipment) and because of the historical tradition of recreational walking there is a large number of walking routes. In addition there is unrestricted access to almost all paths above the “intake wall” (the final wall as you walk out of the valley).

According to respected local author (A. Wainwright) there are exactly 214 Peaks, most of which offer lots of routes, plus lots of chances to cross over between the fells.

The tallest is Scafell Pike. This “highest” designation means to lots of fellwalkers, and visitors who want to hike up a tall Lake District peak may want to choose another. Many of the slightly smaller hills are actually much more exciting to walk up as well as giving better views. Great Gable and Kentmere are popular choices. Less well-known ones include Bowfell, Fairfield and Grisedale Pike.

The central attraction are the many lakes and fells dug out by glacial erosion and giving wonderful and inspiring scenery although mainly modified by people, mainly by farming. It’s the old home of cultural celebrities for example William Wordsworth and Mr John Ruskin, and the walks and mountains are famously documented by Alfred Wainwright.

First settled around the Stone Age and invaded by the Romans old cumbria was heavily influenced by the Norse in their occupation about 900AD. The Norsemen cleared the forests to produce charcoal to smelt lead near Glenridding and copper near Borrowdale Valley and near Coniston. The Norsemen gave the Herdwick sheep to the mountains

The lake district is popular with both UK and international visitors and this can cause traffic jams around busy holidays at the most popular places.

Lake District Links
International Links
UK Links