Wondering what’s on over the summer holidays for families? Check out our What’s On guide.
The Lake District Kids team are lacing up their walking boots and exploring the National Park to bring you this guide to the very best family walks in the region. Below are the walks the team have written up so far, but bookmark this page as lots more are coming!
Located in the far north west of England, the Lake District National Park is one of the country’s most spectacular destinations for families who love the outdoors. Home to shimmering lakes, rugged fells, charming market towns, and breathtaking scenery, it’s no surprise that walking is one of the best things to do in the Lake District, with endless trails for families of all ages to enjoy.
But where are the best Lake District Kids family walks? Well the Lake District Kids team is exploring every corner of the National Park to find you the best Lake District walks for kids. These walks aren’t too long, offer lots of variety, places to play, climb and explore, and every single one has been tried and tested by young kids. Plus, we also provide realistic timings to allow for all those snack and play breaks. Although don’t worry if you don’t have kids, the following is also great inspiration for absolutely anyone looking for a short and easy Lake District walk.
For any family walk, make sure you pack LOTS of snacks and an OS Map, dress in layers (including a waterproof jacket and hiking boots), and start your walk early when the kids at their most energetic.
The Lake District family walks are detailed below in order of distance. Under each walk recommendation you will find a link to the full walking guide, which includes parking information, a map, and step-by-step directions with photos. If you feel that there is too much choice here, then perhaps visit our search walks page (coming soon!) where you can easily search all Lake District Kids walks to one that perfectly fits you.
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When planning your visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs, and park your car in designated parking areas. Also, please use these walks as a guide; access and stiles may change.
PARKING INFORMATION: Please do not rely solely on the postcode for parking directions. In the National Park, a postcode can cover a large area. Postcodes are only provided as guidance. Please either use the Google Maps point or what3words, which are provided on every walk guide.
Location map of our Lake District family walks
1. Bowness-on-Windermere walk (circular, 2.1km)
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This easy pram-friendly walk in Bowness-on-Windermere is perfect for families looking for a gentle lakeside stroll. The route follows flat paths along the shore of Lake Windermere to Cockshott Point and Ferry Nab, with plenty of opportunities for little ones to play along the way.
Expect beautiful lake views, mini beaches for paddling, logs and rocks to climb on, and the chance to watch boats arriving at Ferry Nab, where the passenger ferry crosses to Far Sawrey. It’s a short, relaxed walk that’s ideal for toddlers and pushchairs / buggies.
2. Aira Force walk (circular, 2.2km)
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Aira Force is one of the Lake District’s most iconic waterfalls, offering a beautiful short walk with big rewards for very little effort. Children will love navigating the woodland trail, with small steps, bridges and plenty of tree roots to clamber over along the way.
Located just minutes from the shores of Ullswater, the impressive 20-metre waterfall showcases the raw power of nature as it tumbles through ancient woodland. The site was made accessible by the Victorians, who created the well-maintained paths, stone bridges and viewing platforms that visitors still enjoy today. Beyond the waterfall itself, the area also houses an arboretum containing ‘the UK’s girthiest tree’, and is one of the few places in England where red squirrels still live in the wild – so keep your eyes peeled!
3. Scout Scar walk, near Kendal (circular, 2.6km)
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If you’re looking for a quick Lake District family walk with maximum reward for minimal effort close to Kendal, Scout Scar is hard to beat. This short route climbs gently onto a striking limestone escarpment, where wide-open views stretch across the Lyth Valley, the surrounding Lakeland fells, and all the way to Morecambe Bay on a clear day.
Along the way, children will love spotting the distinctive Mushroom shelter, scrambling over limestone rocks, and searching for the trig point that marks the turnaround. It’s an ideal walk for families wanting big scenery without committing to a full day on the fells.
4. Fell Foot walk (circular, 2.7km)
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If you’re looking for a gentle toddler walk in the Lake District, this Fell Foot circular walk is hard to beat. Set within the beautiful National Trust park at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, the route is mostly flat and easy to follow, making it ideal for little legs.
The walk has everything young children love: pebbly lakeshore beaches for throwing stones, wide grassy spaces to run around, a lovely little playground, and plenty of opportunities for a paddle on warm days. Finish with a stop at the Boathouse Café or treat the kids to an ice cream overlooking the lake. This is a brilliant morning or afternoon outing.
5. Rydal Cave walk (circular, 2.9km)
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The Rydal Cave walk is one of the most popular family walks in the Lake District, leading to an impressive cavern hidden above Rydal Water. Despite its dramatic appearance, Rydal Cave isn’t a natural formation at all. The cave was originally part of Loughrigg Quarry, created during the slate mining boom of the 1800s before being abandoned in the early twentieth century.
Today, this former industrial site has become a much-loved walking destination, with an easy route through woodland trails and beautiful lake views that makes for a brilliant adventure. We suggest bringing a torch for exploration!
6. Pram-friendly Tarn Hows walk (circular, 3km)
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With its lush woodland, dramatic views over the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Fells, and pebble beaches edging calm water, it’s easy to see why Tarn Hows is one of the best pram-friendly walks in the Lake District. But despite its natural beauty, Tarn Hows is actually man-made, created in the 1860s when three smaller tarns were joined together as part of the Monk Coniston Estate, with many of the surrounding trees planted at the same time.
Previously owned by Beatrix Potter and now cared for by the National Trust, this easy circular route around Tarn Hows follows a well-maintained clockwise path around the tarn, where iconic Herdwick sheep graze alongside incredibly tame Belted Galloway cattle that can often be found cooling off in the water on warm days. Finish with an ice cream from Joey’s Café back at the car park, or grab a coffee to enjoy as you stroll.
7. Brant Fell walk from Bowness-on-Windermere (circular, 3.2 km)
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This short but rewarding family walk from Bowness-on-Windermere climbs through quiet woodland and open fields to the summit of Brant Fell, where panoramic views over Lake Windermere make the uphill effort worthwhile. Although steep in sections, the ascent is relatively short, making it a great option for families with younger children, with plenty of reward waiting back in town afterwards.
Parking in Bowness can become exceptionally busy during weekends and school holidays, so we recommend arriving early to begin your walk. Afterwards, refuel in town and then make the most of a family day out with one of the many nearby attractions, such as The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction or Windermere Jetty Museum, or take a ferry or scenic cruise out on Lake Windermere.
8. West Windermere Way walk: Lakeside to Newby Bridge (linear, 3.3km)
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This short section of the West Windermere Way is an easy, pram-friendly linear walk from Lakeside to Newby Bridge (1.6km each way). Running mainly alongside the River Leven and the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, it follows well-surfaced paths and boardwalks that make it suitable for pushchairs and buggies. Quiet, scenic, and well signposted, it’s a relaxed way to explore the less busy western shore of Windermere, with a pub stop enroute.
While there is a handy car park for families arriving by car, you can also arrive by boat (click here for more information) or by steam train between Easter and the end of October (click here for information).
9. Loughrigg Terrace walk, near Grasmere (circular, 3.3km)
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This easy-going Loughrigg Terrace walk near Grasmere offers lovely views without the effort of a full fell climb. Part of Loughrigg Fell, which sits between Grasmere and Ambleside, the terrace follows a path along the side of the fell, staying relatively low while opening up lovely views across Grasmere Lake and the surrounding fells.
This circular route loops along the terrace, through Deerbolts Wood, before returning via the lakeshore. It’s a brilliant walk for kids, with gentle slopes, a couple of steeper sections, plenty of rocks for climbing, and the chance to stop by the water for paddling, swimming, or skimming stones before heading back.
10. Silver How walk from Grasmere (linear, 4.7km)
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This Silver How walk is a fantastic family-friendly Wainwright near Grasmere, offering beautiful views across Grasmere, the surrounding fells, and even glimpses of Windermere in the distance. It’s definitely one to save for a clear day so you can fully appreciate views.
While many walking guides suggest tackling Silver How as a circular route, we recommend following it as a linear out-and-back walk instead, especially with children. The alternative descent is extremely steep and stepped, making it far less suitable for younger walkers, whereas retracing your route provides a safer and far more enjoyable family adventure.
11. Ambleside to High Sweden Bridge walk (circular, 5.2km)
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This Ambleside walk to High Sweden Bridge is a rewarding short circular route that blends classic Lake District scenery with an intriguing piece of local history.
Despite its Scandinavian-sounding name, ‘Sweden’ is thought to derive from the old Norse word swidden, meaning land cleared by burning; a reminder of the area’s Viking heritage that still lingers across Cumbria today. Dating back to the 1700s, High Sweden Bridge was originally built as a packhorse bridge and once formed part of an important trade route through the fells.
Today, this lovely route leads walkers along quiet lanes, open farmland, and gentle hillside paths, making it an excellent family-friendly walk from the heart of Ambleside.
12. Grasmere to Alcock Tarn walk (circular, 5.3km)
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With rocky outcrops to scramble over, beautiful streams to explore, and rewarding views over Grasmere, this walk to Alcock Tarn is a fantastic family adventure. Starting in the heart of Grasmere village, the route climbs steadily through woodland and onto open fellside before reaching the peaceful tarn; the perfect spot for a picnic and play before heading back down.
Originally a natural body of water known as Butter Crag Tarn, Alcock Tarn was enlarged in Victorian times by a Mr Alcock of Grasmere, who then proceeded to name it after himself. He deepened the tarn using a stone and earth dam before stocking it with brown trout.
While there is a fairly steady uphill climb for much of the route, plenty of snack stops, streams, and opportunities to explore help keep little walkers motivated along the way.
13. Cathedral Cave walk (circular, 6km)
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This Cathedral Cave walk is a fantastic family adventure through the dramatic landscapes of Little Langdale. Created as part of the area’s slate mining industry in the 1700s, Cathedral Cave and the surrounding quarry remains offer a fascinating glimpse into the Lake District’s industrial heritage, with slate from these hills still visible on traditional buildings across the region.
Now managed by the National Trust, the site is free to visit year-round and makes for an exciting day out with cave exploration, old quarry tunnels, and plenty of opportunities for little adventurers to scramble and explore. Take care as the old quarry has uneven ground and steep drops, so children should be closely supervised throughout and dogs must be on a lead. If tackling the longer tunnel, bring a headtorch.
Also, have change handy for honesty-box treats along the route.
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Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Lake District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using by tagging @lakedistrictkidsuk in your caption so we can share with our wider community.