Visiting Cumbria with little ones doesn’t mean you’re limited by the walks that you can enjoy by any stretch – in fact, there’s a whole host of easy family walks in the Lake District. We’ve shared some of our favourites, giving you an idea of what you can expect. Take a look, and plan your family weekend in the Lakes with Snittlegarth Farm.
Is Winter a good time for families to visit the Lake District?
While the summer is always a hotspot for families visiting the lakes, the region remains popular throughout the colder months, too. For families visiting the Lake District during the winter, there’s still plenty to see and do, and there’s no shortage of kid-friendly walks and hikes so you can enjoy the best of our part of the world. The winter months bring a postcard style charm to many of Cumbria’s most famous landscapes, just be sure to wrap up warm!
Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Walk
Looking for an option for your Sunday morning stroll that is suitable for the whole family? The Keswick to Threlkeld Railway path is one of the most popular routes for those with prams, toddlers, and young children, given the fact that the walk follows a smooth, tarmacked trail. The path weaves along the River Greta, taking walkers through some of the original Victorian railway bridges that were found along the line.
The path is 5km each way, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a break, admiring some of the impressive viewpoints. Given the historic nature of this route, you’ll also be able to read the story of the old railway line as you progress along the path – and you’ll even see what is left of the old train station at the starting point of this walk.
Stroll as far along the path as you’d like before turning back, or follow the route all the way to Threlkeld where you can enjoy a coffee and the little ones can tuck into some tasty traybakes at the village coffee shop. You also have the option of walking from Threlkeld and catching the X4 bus back to Keswick – this might be perfect for those with younger kids to entertain, as the bus journey back is equally scenic!
Postcode: CA12 4NP
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Cat Bells
Starting your kids off on their own journey up the original 214 Wainwrights? Cat Bells is one of the best walks in the lake district for families; and it’s also renowned as one of the top choices as a ‘first mountain’ for kids, given its steady incline and relatively short completion time. If you have older children, and you don’t mind the occasional scramble, then this could be for you. You can start this walk from Hawes End, where nearby parking makes for an easy kick-off point, making your way up the mountain along clearly signposted paths. You will have the option of walking anticlockwise or clockwise – taking the former means that you will scramble up the mountain, and come back down using stone steps. The scrambling ability needed for Cat Bells is beginner-friendly, so confident kids (and adults!) will be fine.
You’re likely to reach the peak in around 2-3 hours if you’re hiking with little ones in tow, where you’ll be able to enjoy your efforts as you look down over Derwentwater and Borrowdale.
Cat Bells is an extremely popular mountain in the northern Lake District, given that it’s one of the most suitable for families. If you’re planning on climbing up and parking at Hawes End, aim to arrive in the morning if you’d rather beat the crowds that tend to come in the afternoon.
Postcode: CA12 5UE
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Buttermere
Family friendly walks in the Lake District aren’t as hard to come by as you might think, and this circular route is another seriously popular choice. Buttermere is a 7.4km circular route, taking walkers through a diverse range of Lake District landscapes – from waterfalls to caves and of course, views of the nearby fells. The path isn’t completely even, and it can become quite rocky as you make your way around, so it may be harder to tackle this one with a pram – it’s best suited to those with younger children that are happy to explore along the way. Keep a look out for the Highland cattle that call Buttermere home at different times of the year, and you’re almost certain to see some of the most common residents – Herdwick sheep.
The loop should take around 2 hours to complete, and you have plenty of choice when it comes to picking a place to stop and refuel once you make it back to the village; as there’s 3 dog-friendly eateries nestled in the quaint centre.
Postcode: CA13 9UZ
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Latrigg Fell
Looking for another family-friendly Lake District fell walk? Consider adding Latrigg to your itinerary. Located 23 minutes away from Keswick and 40 minutes from our site, this gentle climb is a firm favourite amongst those with adventure-hungry youngsters. This 368 metre climb is a great starting point for kids that want to reach some of Cumbria’s famous peaks, and it’s definitely bearable for parents too! There’s a couple of different routes that you can take up Latrigg, but a popular place to begin your hike is from the car park near the summit of the fell, making for a smaller climb; however, there’s also the option to start from Keswick town centre.
The path that you’ll follow up the fell is clearly signposted, and there’s plenty of stunning views to admire along the way. Once you’re at the top, you’ll have amazing views out over Keswick. It’s worth noting that this is a great fell for a sunrise view, so if your kids are up for an early morning, be sure to head here and beat the crowds for an awe-inspiring start to the day!
Postcode: CA12 4PH
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Aira Force
Want to marvel at magical waterfalls? Head to Aira Force, and watch your kids soak up the fairytale-esque surroundings. This is a lovely option for those that are happy to take on a bit of a climb over some fairly uneven terrain, and the views make it all worthwhile! If you choose to take the circular trail to the waterfall, you can expect to be walking for around an hour before reaching the natural wonder. However, Aira Force has no shortage of different viewpoints before you reach the top of the waterfall that are equally impressive, so if you’re visiting with younger children, this may be better suited for you – the Arboretum Trail and the Waterfall Trail are two shorter strolls, but they still offer spectacular views, with plenty for kids to explore.
Postcode: Aira Force car park – CA11 0JS
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Enjoy a family-friendly stay in the Lake District
Now you know just how much there is to choose from when it comes to planning some family-friendly walks in the Lake District, it’s time to book your stay! Here at Snittlegarth Farm, our Lake District lodges and log cabins are ideal for those with young children, toddlers and babies. Take a look at all of our accommodation options, and simply contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you and your family onto our dog-friendly stay in Cumbria!
