Wed, 7 January 2026
Moderate – Greystoke/Dacre/Greystoke: From Greystoke village (fabulous church), Flusco (it’s rubbish, but has a Pike!) Dacre (pretty – and a church), St Mary’s Well (wet!), Penruddock (old railway station), Motherby (an ex pub!), Greystoke Gill (gallery), Nicky Richards’ gallops and racing stables (different) and back to Greystoke. A full-of-features (!) New Year walk of 9 miles but with barely-noticeable ascent. Some squelchy stretches and a few less-than-pristine stiles. Oh, and 200m of A66 (sorry – can’t be helped!).
Wed, 21 January 2026
Moderate – Bleaberry Fell: Starting from Keswick we ascend Walla Crag to Bleaberry Fell. The intention is to continue to High Seat and descend by Ashness Gill to Ashness Bridge, if conditions are not too boggy. Then return to the start via path under Falcon Crag to Great Wood. Approx 15km (9.3 miles). 744 m ( 2440ft).
Easy – Newlands Valley: The route drops down from the Newlands Road to Uzzicar and then to Stair and Skelgill before passing under Catbells to a footbridge beyond Littletown. Passing Low House farm the path encounters a tricky wooden stile before reaching Newlands Church and then re-joining the Newlands Road near Rigg Beck and along the road back to the start. About 6 miles and 900’ of ascent.
Sun, 25 January 2026
Moderate – Dock Tarn, Great Crag and Watendlath: From Rosthwaite we walk along a section of the Cumbria Way towards Stonethwaite, we then climb the steep steps through woods to Lingy End (with plenty of stops). Making our way alongside Dock Tarn and then divert to the short climb of the 2 summits of Great Crag. Descent to Watendlath Tarn and back over Puddingstone Bank. Mixed terrain and rough in places. Approx 6 miles. 1500 feet.
Wed, 4 February 2026
Challenging – The Dodds: Ascend Stybarrow Dodd and continue to Clough Head. Back via Threlkeld Knotts and across the common to Threlkeld. X4/5 bus back into Keswick.
Moderate – Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike and Heron Pike: A pleasant c5mile wander through the Glencoyne Valley, with the reward of two Wainwright Summits and three Birketts. Weather permitting, superb views too. Roughly 1,800′ ascent and whilst most paths are good, some may be wet/boggy and one some may find a tiny bit vertiginous (it’s not very high/steep, but there is a drop on one side).
Easy – Ambleside to Grasmere via the ‘Coffin Route’: After leaving the bus at Scandale Bridge the walk goes via Rydal Park and the popular “coffin route”. It briefly joins the path to Alcock Tarn before taking the less well-known terrace route to the Forestside Hotel and the A591. Field paths can then be taken to reach the centre of Grasmere. Up to about 6 miles (9.5km) with shorter options. No major ascents but several short climbs. Paths mostly good but in places rough and/or slippery. 1 stile.
Sun, 8 February 2026
Moderate – Latrigg and Back o’Skiddaw: If any walk could be split into two very different portions, this must be a contender. The first part includes a wooded gorge of scenic beauty, a small hill and an excellent viewpoint, all within a gently rolling landscape. Cut to the second part – raw rock, old mine workings, bog and wild, lonely vistas.
Easy – Borrowdale Hotel to Keswick via Surprise View: From the hotel the walk ascends to the Upper Lodore Falls and Moss Mire on a steep and rough path that will be taken very slowly! The walk continues via Surprise View and Ashness Bridge to join the terrace path under Falcon Crag, with fabulous views of Derwentwater and beyond. After passing through Great Wood the lakeshore is followed to Keswick. About 5.5 miles (9km) and 550′ (170m) of ascent. Paths rough/rocky in places and there may be wet sections. No stiles.
Wed, 18 February 2026
Moderate – Circular from Rosthwaite, including Castle Crag: From Rosthwaite follow the Cumbria Way towards River Derwent. A steepish climb up to Castle Crag, dropping down to join the Allerdale Ramble. The route traverses High Doat before following a network of paths to Seatoller. Return to Rosthwaite alongside the River Derwent negotiating a mini ‘Via Feratta’, attached chains over a short rocky section. No helmet required! 8.5km / 275 m ascent/descent.
Sun, 22 February 2026
Challenging – The route less travelled – Bleaberry/Ether Knott: Leaving the bus at Shoulthwaite Farm, we approach Bleaberry Fell from the less-familiar east, climbing up below Goat Crag, then along pathless and boggy terrain to the summit. From there, we follow the ridge to High Seat and High Tove, and thence drop down to Watendlath. Heading up on the other side of the valley towards Brund Fell, we branch off to the least-climbed summit of Grange Fell, Ether Knott, and then along to the also pathless Brown Dodd. From there, we have a tricky descent to the Borrowdale Hotel for the 78 bus back to Keswick. We should be able to catch the 1530 bus. The total distance is no more than 8 miles, with an ascent of around 800 metres. But there are extensive stretches where route-finding can be a challenge. It is a walk that offers quiet walking, less familiar views, and a trip to the highest point of a Wainwright that few know about.
Moderate – Glencoyne, Nick Head and (optional) Sheffield Pike: The route follows Aira Beck to Dockray then the footpath SW up to and round Glencoyne to Nick Head. Hopefully everyone will feel inclined to summit Sheffield Pike before we retrace our steps to Nick Head, descending via the S side of Glencoyne to Glencoyne Bridge. Then the path adjacent to the road back to Aira Force. Just over 8 miles and 1700′ ascent. Glencoyne has good but narrow paths with adjacent steep drops. Possibility of some squidgy bits!
Wed, 4 Mar 2026
Challenging – Catstycam: The walk starts from Glenridding, and proceeds up Greenside Road, before crossing Glenridding Beck just after the dam. Then begins the main ascent up by the northwest ridge to reach the summit of Catstycam to enjoy spectacular views of Helvellyn, (and a deserved cup of coffee). Then we descend to the col with Swirrel Edge, before turning northeast to pick up the path to Birkhouse Moor (a new Wainwright for some?), before returning via the Mires Beck path to Glenridding. About 8 miles, 2500 feet of ascent.
Moderate – Green Gable – the not-so-obvious way!: A delightful amble (!), some slightly off piste, from the NT car park Honister in the steps of 19th Century smuggler Moses Rigg towards Great Gable, his reputed hiding place. Then, in Stoney Cove, the birthplace of the Liza, we climb to Windy Gap and up to Green Gable. That’s the first 2½ miles and 1,550′ / 470m of ascent done. It’s all downhill after that (almost), as we walk the next 1½ miles to Brandreth (+200′ / +60m) and finally a meagre ½ mile to Grey Knotts (+50′ / +15m). It really is all downhill after that … 2 miles back to Honister and coffee. So that’s 6 miles in total with 1,800′ / 550m ascent. Phew!
Easy – The Watches: A climb to a low ridge below Skiddaw with superb views on a fine day. The walk makes a steady climb through Dodd Wood to the open fell and the ridge. At the far end of the ridge the walk descends to the Orthwaite road and after crossing the A591 the Green Lane track is followed. Field paths then lead to St Bega’s Church and the Mire House. About 6 miles (9.5km) with a shorter option. Ascent about 750′ (230m), mostly moderate but with a steep final section (that will be taken very slowly). Paths liable to be muddy/slippery in places. Up to 3 stiles.
Sun, 8 Mar 2026
Moderate – Lords Seat from Thornthwaite: From Thornthwaite we will walk to Beckstones Ghyll and ascend first Barf and the Lords Seat before descending to the visitor centre and back to Thornthwaite via Comb Beck. 8 miles; 1800 foot of ascent.
Easy – The Borrowdale Balcony: From Seatoller the walk makes a gradual ascent on the old mine track to reach the bridleway running high above central Borrowdale. After passing behind Castle Crag the route drops to the river Derwent at Gowder Dubb and then passes through Hollows farm to reach the very modest summit of Peace Howe. A short road walk leads to the lakeside and after crossing Chinese Bridge field paths are followed to the return bus at the Borrowdale Hotel. About 5½ miles (9km). Around 450′ (140m) ascent initially and some further modest undulations. Paths rough in places.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026
Challenging – Place and Beda Fell: From Patterdale, to Side farm, join the path to reach Hare Shaw, The Knight and across to Place Fell summit. Descend NE towards High Dodd and down to Garth Heads before ascending to Howsteads Brow and further ascent to the long undulating ridge of Beda Head and Beda Fell. The descent to Boredale Hause follows before the final descent and return to Side farm. 16km 1,000m ascent.
Moderate – Styhead and Sprinkling Tarns: Easy walking on a stony track beside Grains Gill leads to Styhead Gill Path. After a moderate ascent beside Taylor Gill Force and then alongside the beck, the first of the tarns, Styhead Tarn, is reached. More climbing on a well-used track beneath Great End’s mighty buttresses leads to Sprinkling Tarn. The long descent, loose initially, is via Ruddy Gill and Grains Gill. 9km/5.5 miles 525m ascent/descent.
Easy – Ambleside to Grasmere via Loughrigg Terrace: From Scandale Bridge the walk is via Rydal Park, Rydal Church (with hopefully a great display of native daffodils in Dora’s Field), Loughrigg Terrace, Redbank Wood, Huntingstile Lane and Redbank Road. About 5.5 miles (9km) and around 450′ (140m) of ascent. Ascents and descents mostly gradual. Paths generally good with some rough and possibly slippery sections. No stiles.
Sun, 22 Mar 2026
Moderate – Dale Head via Rigg Head: A delightful 5 mile / 8 km walk described by one AW Wainwright as “more adventurous”. We’ll take the old toll road towards Seatoller before veering off and following the familiar path below High Doat. Then begins the climb, in two parts, firstly up through the Rigghead quarries. After stopping here for “cak n chatterwatter” and a brief explore, we’ll continue onto High Scawdel and then to Dale Head Tarn. There then follows a second climb to Dale Head’s summit, although we will stop for lunch on Dalehead Crags before we actually reach the cairn. Weather permitting, the views are spectacular. It’s all downhill after that, with the Honister Mine facilities beckoning. Distance 5 mi / 8 km. Ascent 1,800′ / 550m.
Wed, 1 Apr 2026
Challenging – Peaks of Grange Fell and Walla Crag: The Met Office is forecasting fog for most of the day – and, as Wainwright says, this is dangerous country in mist! We will, therefore, be heading to Grange for a shorter (and lower) walk over the various peaks of Grange Fell, and back to Keswick over Walla Crag.
Moderate – High Cup Nick via the Gill: The route crosses fields to the base of High Cup Gill. Gentle ascent to the head of the gill, a steep climb to High Cup Nick and return via the Pennine Way. 14.5k and 460m of ascent. The steep climb is 150m (upwards!) of grass and grassy steps. Just before this we traverse a 100m or so (length!) of an old rock fall by threading between the bigger rocks but inevitably walking on smaller ones.
Easy – Dockray to Glenridding via the Ullswater Way: From Dockray the route descends alongside Aira Falls then follows the Ullswater Way to Glenridding with a diversion into Glencoyne to visit Seldom Seen. The walk is mainly downhill or gently undulating but with a couple of short but steep ascents. Around 6 miles (9.5km). Paths are rough in places. No stiles. The ascents can be omitted by staying on the Ullswater Way reducing the distance to about 4.5 miles. (This walk makes use of the expanded direct bus service from Keswick to Ullswater operating 7 days week.)