Walking in the English Lake District
One of the UK's Top Hiking areas - Mountains, Moorland and Lakeshore
May 31, 2007
There are lush, green valleys and rough moorland, sleepy villages and busy resorts, gentle hills and high craggy peaks. The variety is extraordinary and the landscape is virtually unchanged from the days when William Wordsworth, one of England's great romantic poets, lived here in the 18th century.
The English Lake District - Where is it?
The Lake District is up in the top-left corner of England, just before the Scottish border, in the county of Cumbria, approximately a five-hour drive from London. By American standards, the area is tiny - only 40 miles across, covering 866 square miles - but don't be tempted to think you can see it all in a couple of days. You can't be in a hurry here: for one thing, the narrow lanes force you to slow down and then there's so much to stop and explore.
Scafell - The Highest Point in England
For British people the Lake District means walking. It is one of the most popular hiking regions in the country and no matter what time of year you are here you'll see figures picking their way up the slopes of Scafell Pike, the highest point in England. At 3210 feet it's just a baby compared with the grand peaks of the Alps or the Pyrenees but in this small world it looks big.
Walk Around Lakes Windermere and Ullswater
To get the most out of your trip do some forward planning - and the first thing to do is to choose an area.
For a first time visit, central Cumbria is for many people the loveliest part of the region. It contains the two largest lakes, Windermere and Ullswater, as well as others. Its mountains are the most popular with climbers and its lush valleys are perfect for those who just like to stroll
A really nice thing for first-time visitors to do is to take a walk around a couple of lakes. Or more, if you feel like it. It's great way to get the feel of the place and this way you won't get lost . It's also nice to just walk and explore without having to consult a map all the time.
The Climate of the English Lake District
Make sure you bring some rain gear with you, especially if you are planning on walking in the mountains. - it's the wettest part of England. Don't let this put you off, the weather in the UK can be unpredictable at the best of times but that doesn't seem to stop the millions of visitors - and a lot of them come to the Lake District. The driest months are May, June and September.
The English Lake district - Rent a Cottage
Lots of tourists come to the Lakes. The best way to avoid them is to rent a self-catering cottage well away from the crowds, buy your food in the village shop, and explore to your heart’s content with a cosy home to return to at the end of the day. It's sometimes nice to be a tourist too, so a car might come in handy to get you to some of the popular spots.
The best way to explore the lakes without getting lost is to buy an Ordnance Survey map for the area in which you are based. The maps are called OS Landrangers and they are numbered according to the area they cover
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