30 Family walks Lake District

We love visiting the Lake District. It’s such a gorgeous area and there are lots of places where we enjoy family walks. Some of our favourite family walks North West are in the Lake District too. Here are our favourite family walks Lake District. These are all great walks for the whole family. Find more Family walks North West here.

I’ve included a few pram-friendly walks for those with younger children because these are still fantastic walks for older children too. If you need a walk that is accessible or pram-friendly then you need my guide to Pram friendly walks Lake District.

Orrest head, windermere

This is a relatively easy climb starting across the road from Windermere train station by a large sign for Orrest head summit. This is an accessible walk but it is still a clime. Pushchairs are possible but you’ll be much better off with a baby carrier as despite there being no stiles etc, it is a climb. The view from the top, of the whole of lake Windermere are stunning and well worth the effort.

Part way up the main route you will come across the Gruffalo and friends carvings pictured below. My kids love these sculptures. Once at the peak you can either choose to walk back the way you climbed or take a longer and more scenic walk through fields.

Find full details of the route here – Orrest Head Walk

Gummer’s How

Gummer’s how is a great starter hike for families. The walk starts at the free Forestry Commission car park part way up.

Climb to the top and you are rewarded with stunning views over lake Windermere. We particularly liked seeing the cows at the summit.

Find full details here – Gummers How walk where I share where to park and the route to take to the summit.

Aira Force waterfalls

Another walk that is not suitable for pushchairs, as there are a lot of steps are involved but the climb is definitely worth it. It is possible with young children, allow about 1 hour.

When you reach the top you are reward with this stunning 65-foot waterfall. It’s a lovely walk and I believe the walk can be extended further but we didn’t have time before our return boat. 

We purchased the red squirrel trail which cost £1 and was really fun for kids to look out for the signs and answer questions about red squirrels. 

We chose to arrive by boat as part of a day ticket on the Ulswater steamers. There is also a National Trust car park at the bottom of the hill, along with a cafe, shop, information point and toilets. Find full details of a longer walk on the National trust page along with detail about Aira force in general.

Latrigg from Keswick

Latrigg is one of the smallest fells in the Lake District but it is a fantastic family summit to climb. The views from the summit are amazing, the top is easy to reach with no rocky scrambles.

There are several different ways to reach the summit including a very short accessible walk from a car park near the summit. There are longer routes too including a lovely family walk from Keswick which is achievable with kids but not pushchairs.

Find my full guide to these walks here – Latrigg from Keswick walk

Sir John Barrow Monument walk

This walk is outside the National Park but only a short drive and if you fancy a quieter walk with stunning views over the Lake District, this is a great option.

Starting at Ford’s park, Ulverston, this is another great walk that even little legs can manage and when you reach the top you are rewarded with stunning views over the Furness penisular in one direction and the Lakeland fells in the other direction. You can also wander around the outside of the Sir John Barrow monument.

Find full walking route details here – Sir John Barrow Monument walk

Grizedale forest

We love Grizedale Forest. It has walking options for those with young children looking for a short walk and longer, more hilly walks for older kids too.

There are many routes suitable for pushchairs and kids will love the play area, sculpture trails and the Forestry commission trails that change regularly like the Gruffalo and Shaun the sheep. New for 2025, they now have a Gruffalo sculpture.

The new Stick Man trail will run from February 2025 – January 2026. Find out more here – Forestry England Stick Man Trails.

Find out more here in my guide to Grizedale forest walks

Windermere Lake cruises walker’s cruise

This is a fun day out that includes 3 boat rides and about 4 miles walking. Buy a walkers ticket for the Windermere lakes cruises. Start at Ambleside and take the boat across to Wray Castle.

From here you can spend some time exploring Wray Castle which is a national trust property however the indoor play rooms like Peter Rabbit are permanently closed and the outdoor play area has been closed for several years now due to storm damage. They do put on events in school holidays though.

From here walk along the edge of Lake Windermere to Ferry house (4 miles) to catch the next ferry. This is a relatively easy and mostly flat route. However it was very muddy in parts when we visited. Whilst the walk is relatively flat, I wouldn’t recommend this walk with a pushchair.

A 5 minute detour before ferry house takes you to Claife viewing station which is a really lovely place to view the lake. There are beautiful stained glass frames around the view and my kids loved viewing the lake in different colours. From here catch the cross lakes shuttle to Bowness.

From Bowness return to Ambleside on the ferry. You could choose to get off at the Windermere Jetty museum &/or Brockholes on Windermere.

Catbells

We haven’t done this one yet but we’re keen to try it. It’s meant to be the easiest mountain for families to climb. The recommended starting point is Hawse end car park or start by catching the boat across from Derwent. Find the full route details here.

Sizergh castle play trail – closed until spring 2025

This is a really fun and free wild trail at Sizergh Castle National Trust. The start of the trail is at the bottom of the car park (the opposite end to the cafe and entrance to the castle and gardens). The trail is approximately 1 mile (and circular) and not suitable for prams (it was very muddy on our visit and there are styles etc).

The trail is fun for kids from the outset with a climbing wall and a tunnel. There are also dens, logs to balance on and so much more. Make sure you follow all the clues and signs to reach the amazing tree swing.

Please note this trail is closed until spring 2025 due to extensive rain and footfall damage. Please check before travelling.

You can find out more in my full guide here – Sizergh castle play trail

Fell foot, National Trust

Fell Foot is an area at the bottom of Lake Windermere that is managed by the National Trust. There is a reasonable sized car park, kids play area, cafe, outdoor watersports centre and various paths. We walked around the whole area when we visited following the purple route and walked 2 miles. 

I wouldn’t recommend the walk for prams although it’s probably not impossible. The meadow walk is just a grass path and was already starting to get muddy on our visit in late October. There are a few hills around too. 

Full details on their website – Fell Foot

Kirby Stephen riverside walk

If you’re ever in the southwest of the region, almost into the Yorkshire Dale, then you must try this family walk along the river Eden. It covers part of the poetry trail too. It’s a fun walk for kids with bridges, a waterfall and the poetry stones.

Find out more about this walk here – Kirkby Stephen Riverside walk.

High dam tarn

High dam tarn is a bit of a hidden gem on the west side of Lake Windermere near to the foot. It is a great child-friendly walk as it is short and has lots to interest families like bridges (great for playing pooh sticks), views and different terrains (uphill, downhill, board walks, woodland and a tarn to walk around). It isn’t suitable for pushchairs though. 

Find out where to park and the walking route here – High dam tarn.

Mirehouse, Keswick

Mirehouse and gardens is a great place for child-friendly walks. There are woodland play areas, gardens and lakeside walks (alongside Bassenthwaite lake).

Just across the road is Dodds wood which is also great for family walks.

Find out more here – Mirehouse Keswick.

Rydal water and cave

From the White moss car park above Ambleside you can explore lots of trails. 1 mile from the car park is Rydal cave which is a fantastic place to explore with kids.

Find out how to get to Rydal caves here – How To Get To Rydal Caves

Ambleside waterfall walk

We love this walk from Ambleside town centre to Stock Ghyll waterfall. It’s a great walk to take kids on to see a stunning waterfall. We last did this walk in October 2023 and there was a lovely new cafe across the road – Force

Elterwater to Skelwith bridge

This is one of my favourite pram-friendly walks that we still do even though we no longer need flat walks. The scenery on the walk is stunning and you can stop off in Skelwith bridge to enjoy a delicious cake. There’s also a waterfall along this walk.

Find full route details here – Elterwater to Skelwith bridge walk

Buttermere circular lakeside walk

From Buttermere village you can complete a 4 mile circular walk around the beautiful Buttermere lake. There is also a waterfall to spot in one corner.

The walk is fairly easy and flat but there are a few parts where pushchairs won’t manage so this is definitely one to save until your child can walk 4 miles.

The full walking route can be found here – Buttermere Walk

Tarn hows

This is a walk we discovered during our stage of walking in the Lake District with pushchairs but one that we still return to now that our girls are older.

The views on the walk are beautiful and a circular walk around the tarn is just under 2 miles. You can detour off to see a waterfall or even extend the walk down into Coniston.

There is a National Trust car park for this circular walk.

Whinlatter forest

Whinlatter forest has an amazing 1 mile long play trail filled with fantastic play equipment. There’s also Go Ape, bike hire and lots of Gruffalo and friends sculptures.

There are trails suitable for families but remember this is a mountain forest so expect to climb higher. We love these forest walks though.

Find my full guide here – Whinlatter forest walks

The new Stick Man trail will run from February 2025 – January 2026. Find out more here – Forestry England Stick Man Trails.

Derwent water

Derwent water is a lovely place to walk with kids. I’m not suggesting you walk all the way around unless you has teenagers. You can get on a boat from Keswick launch here or just walk as far as you like around the lake in either direction before turning back and retracing your steps.

Brockholes on Windermere

Brockholes on Windermere is a great place to walk with kids. There is a large adventure playground with equipment for all ages as well as paid outdoor activities like treetop nets and treks too.

This is an ideal place for short family walks with a play area.

Find my full guide here – Brockhole on Windermere

Keswick to Threlkeld Railway trail

This is a really accessible path which is not only great for wheelchair users and if you need a pram-friendly walk but family bike rides too.

Despite not needing an accessible walk, we will still do this walk again next time we are in the area as it is a beautiful walk. My kids love the tunnels you walk through as well as the bridges and we enjoy the scenery.

Last time I shared this walk on Facebook, lots of people commented on the delicious scones from the cafe in Threlkeld so I’ll be adding this as a stop next time.

Full details here – Keswick to Threlkeld railway trail

Allan bank & Grasmere

There are some lovely walks around the village of Grasmere as well as around the lake. You can also walk around the gardens and woodlands at Allan Bank National Trust.

Allan Bank is somewhere we love to take our kids, not only to explore the gardens and woodlands but to enjoy the house. There is a great art room for kids with stunning views over the lake.

Find out more about Allan Bank here – Allan Bank and Grasmere

Ambleside to Rydal circular walk

It is possible to do a lovely circular walk from the park in Ambleside to Rydal village and back along the path from Rydal Hall. You could also just walk from Ambleside to Rydal hall along the accessible path.

There is a fantastic sculpture trail in the woods at Rydal Hall and you can also explore the gardens. Both are great for families but the sculpture trail isn’t possible with a pushchair.

Find out more about Rydal Hall here – Rydal Hall

The Bowder stone

This really is something that you need to see next time you are near Keswick.

The Bowder stone is estimated to be 2000 tons in weight, 9 meters high and 15 meters in diameter. There’s now a metal set of steps so you can climb it!

It’s located a very short walk from the National Trust Bowder stone car park. We did try extending the walk further by following the path after the Bowder stone and crossing the main road into more woodland but soon turned back as the paths became overgrown. Plan for a short walk here and combine it with another in the area.

Lowther castle

The adventure playground at Lowther castle is one of the best in the Lake District. There are also lots of walks around the estate and castle gardens.

At the time of writing a family ticket is £45.

Find our guide to Lowther Castle Adventure playground here.

Hallin fell

This walk is still on my list to do next time we are in the area. Last time we tried the weather was terrible up at the car park level, despite it just being drizzle in Ulswater so pick your day wisely.

It is meant to be a great fell to climb with kids though.

Roa island

Whilst this walk is outside the Lake District National Park, I thought it was worth including as it is a bit different to all the others. Don’t expect stunning Lake District views but what you can expect is interesting boat wrecks that you can get up close to when the tide is out.

This walk is on the Furness peninsula which is always quieter than the Lakes. It’s worth exploring the small island and seeing Piel island in the distance.

South Walney nature reserve

If you enjoy seeing lots of wildlife on your walks then this is a must visit. Again it is outside of the National Park but well worth a visit. If you’re lucky you might see seals. We did see one as well as lots of birds.

Find out more about this special place here – South Walney

Low Sizergh barn farm trail

Right at the bottom of the Lake District (a perfect stop on your way in or out of the Lake District) is Low Sizergh Barn Farm and they have a great family walk around their farm land.

This is a lovely short walk (1 -1.5 miles depending on route choices) but it isn’t suitable for pushchairs.

Find my full guide here – Low Sizergh Barn farm trail

I hope you have found some family-friendly walks for your next Lake District visit.

Where to next?

Find 8 Easy walks near Keswick here.

If you’re heading up or down the M6, then you must stop at Tebay services.

An ice cream makes a great treat after a walk. Find lots of ice cream parlours Cumbria here.

Find ideas for Walks near Bassenthwaite here. There are ideas for kids of all ages.

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