Walking and Camping the Lake District

Q. Hi there,

I have decided to take my 15 year old son and a friend (plus if possible a dog!) on a 2 day hike in the Lake District.

The idea is we drive up one day (from Bristol) camp or stay in a hostel . . . set off on our hike day 1 with back packs . . . arrive at overnight stop . . . camp . . . then either hike back using a different route...or continue on to a further destination from where we can then return to our starting point using public transport.

Whilst I know that the real thrill should be to plan the route completely ourselves, the truth is I do not know the area well and could do with some clues about a good place to start. We are all reasonably fit but I have no desire to go for anything too challenging.

Is there an obvious tried and tested solution to the 1st time 2 day hike that you can suggest??

In particular I would like to know about pitching our tents....should it be in a recognised campsite?? or is acceptable to pitch up by a stream etc.

Ray Montague, Bristol

A. Since you have 'little experience' of walking in the Lake District (let alone backpacking - which I find is about 3 times as hard) - for your first trip I would drive up to the Lake District - book into a Bed & Breakfast or Campsite in a popular spot and do single day hikes from your base.

That way you won't get stuck if:

a) The weather turns (The Lake District weather can be somewhat changeable)
b) Your son (or you) decides this is not for him
c) One of you gets injured on the first day
d) Your son (or you) have underestimated the terrain and finds it 'too challenging'.

go4awalk.com publishes hundreds and hundreds of superb single day circular walks in the Lake District which are all graded according to difficulty. Why not just pick a couple that you think would suit you from this interactive map of the area.

Alternatively, since you are new to walking in the Lake District and understandably want to make sure you 'do' some of the best walks see The Best Walks in the Lake District and The Best Ridge Walks in the Lake District for the definitive guide.

For more information about the Lake District - like the 'horseshoes' and 'rounds' - see our Guide to the Lake District.

With regard to wild camping in the Lake District - this is actually illegal within the National Park though some people still do it - see the links below for more information.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

Add your answer to THIS question | Ask a NEW walking and hiking question

Return to the main list of Walking and Hiking Questions

Search for an existing Walking and Hiking Question or Answer