Spring is a magical time of year when we look forward to exploring nature’s wonders and watching the landscapes come alive with wildife and vibrant colours. With so many spring walks in the Lake District on offer, it would take too long to list them all so I’ve selected just a few of my favourites…
Windermere Lakeside Walk
Fringed by epic fells, Lake Windermere meanders for 11 miles and is one of the most popular areas for lakeside walks owing to its incredible beauty and nearby towns and villages. There are plenty of trails to choose from, each with their own unique charms.
Walks along the western shore tend to be quieter and there’s so much to pique your interest on the way. Perhaps enjoy a ride on the steamer, visit the Victorian Gothic Wray Castle, or ramble through the woodlands, which come alive with flowers in the springtime.
Rydal Mount and Rydal Hall Gardens in Spring
Nestled among acres of picturesque grounds, Rydal Mount was once home to William Wordsworth. The gardens are divided into various sections with a meandering terrace that leads to manicured lawns and fabulous views over Rydal Water. In the spring, Dora’s field is carpeted with “a host of golden daffodils”. Across the track from Rydal Mount, you’ll find Rydal Hall and Estate with its beautiful gardens and intriguing sculptures. Bluebells pepper the woodlands in springtime and Rydal Grot is an enchanting place to sit and watch the waterfall and immerse yourself in the sounds of nature.
Derwentwater Lakeshore Walk
Spanning 10 miles, the lakeside walk around Derwentwater is an absolute delight at any time of year but it’s even more special in spring when the wildlife in the woodlands awakens and the fells and trees start to change colour. As you ramble along the water’s edge you’ll pass several places of interest, including the iconic Ashness Bridge, Friar’s Crag, The Ruskin Memorial, Entrust hand sculpture, Calfclose Bay and the Centenary Stone.
If you don’t want to walk the full 10 miles, you can take a lake cruise from the Keswick Launch to really appreciate Derwentwater in all its glory.
Hallin Fell Spring Walk
Situated on the eastern shore of Ullswater, Hallin Fell is a short but steep climb above the hamlet of Howtown. A circular walk takes you to the summit of the fell where you’ll be blessed with glorious 360-degree views of Ullswater and the Far Eastern Fells. Although the initial climb up Hallin Fell gets the heart pumping, it’s well worth the effort for the visual rewards from the summit.
You could extend this walk with a ride on the Ullswater Steamer or perhaps walk along the shore to either Glenridding or Pooley Bridge.
Thirlmere Reservoir Walk
Thirlmere Reservoir lies between Grasmere and Keswick beneath the gaze of Helvellyn on its western side. The 10-mile walk along the shoreline takes you through woodlands and below the surrounding fells. Although Thirlmere isn’t one of the more popular spring walks in the Lake District, it has a lot to offer with its undulating trails, stony beach and magnificent waterscape. The isolated woodlands are packed with wildlife including red squirrels and red deer.
If you want to take in panoramas of the surrounding fells, the short but steep climb up Raven Crag leads you to a fantastic viewing platform where on a clear day you can see over to Blencathra, High Rigg, and Skiddaw.
Tarn Hows Walk
Just under 2-miles, this peaceful nature walk around Tarn Hows is short and easy and can be completed in less than an hour. From the upper tracks there are wonderful views across to the distinctive Langdale Pikes, Helvellyn and the Eastern Fells, and with benches dotted along the shore, you can stop and take in the scenery. In spring the area is packed with wildlife and you can even get a Nature Discovery Trail pack and go in search of red squirrels, lizards, otters and Herdwick sheep. A great walking route for beginners who don’t want to scale fells.
Along the route you’ll come across a sign to Tom Gill, which is definitely worth the extra walk to see the cascading waterfalls.
Learn more about visiting the Lake District National Park in spring and the important work that’s undertaken by the National Trust to protect the landscapes and wildlife.
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Check out more Lake District walks in the summer.
