Lake District walks for 6 year olds.

[waleswhaleswails]

We're on our way to the lakes for a week. We're staying southern lakes and hoping to take our 6 year olds out on some decent walks.

They do 5-6 miles (with picnic stop) quite regularly. We've done old man and catbells. Plus a couple of other smaller peaks.

Any suggestions? If we could combine with some wild swimming even better!

Rydal Caves, Latrigg, Whinlatter, Buttermere, Castlerigg stonecircle, along the old railway from keswick to Threlkeld

Have a Google of Tarn Hows , is a lovely circular walk of just over two miles and you often find an ice cream can parked in the car park.

van

Not a very long one but Coniston -Torver along the lake shore and then get the boat back and go to the bluebird cafe by the lake is a hit with us. You could also probably swim
Tarn hows that had already been mentioned is beautiful also the lion and the lamb is doable with little ones .

Thanks all.
Sorry we've done tarn hows a few times, it was a good one when we were transitioning from back pack to them walking themselves.

We'll be heading to whinlatter as we like the mountain bike trails and haven't actually walked there before so might try that.

Lion and lamb sounds lovely I'll look at that!

Will look at buttermere, isn't that where haystacks starts? Has anyone done that with youngish kids?

Grisdale forest also good lots of trails of varying length and good adventure play area. There is a walk from Coniston to Tarn Howes that stretches it out to make it longer.

There is also a walk from Ambleside that has a cave you can go in..can't remember what it is called but worth a Google.

We’ve done this a couple of times:
www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/cruises-fares/walkers-ticket Start early, have coffee and mid-morning snack at Brockhole (epic adventure playground), lunch in Ambleside at visit Wray Castle in the afternoon.

@clareykb

There is also a walk from Ambleside that has a cave you can go in..can't remember what it is called but worth a Google.

Coffin trail?

Near Swarey up to Moss Eccles Tarn for a swim and then over to Hawkshead,then back round.

I think caves near Ambleside near Rydal Bower

I live here. My 5 year old DD has done Haystacks, Blencathra, plus all the ones mentioned above.

www.thelakedistrict.org/things-to-do/walks/tilberthwaite-hodge-close-cathedral-cavern-slater-bridge/

This might be a good one if you're in the South Lakes.

I was going to say Haystacks - the one I remember loving as a child. I was about 10 though. Can’t remember finding it hard, just never ending!

Oh and just so you're aware, it has been ludicrously busy here since lockdown eased. If you want to park up for a walk, go early.

Look at Hallin or Halin Fell a fairly short walk but fantastic views Latrigg. Ashness bridge, Bowder stone, Mungrisdale, Askham.

If you go go early to get parked and please park considerately as a few visitors haven’t recently and have caused problems for emergency service vehicles.

Easedale Tarn from Grasmere.
Loughrigg from Skelwith Bridge.
Latrigg from Hawkshead.
Wansfell from Ambleside

I’ve done all of these in South Lakes with young kids.

Wansfell and Loughrigg (both start at Ambleside).

Walk from Ambleside to Grasmere (either via the "coffin route" or Rydal Caves - the latter is probably more fun for kids) and get the bus home after you've stopped for some gingerbread

There are some lovely walks at Eskdale (near Wastwater) with waterfalls and pools for wild swimming.

Drive to the coast and go to the beach. Park at Silecroft train station, walk to Haverigg via the beach (at low tide) have lunch there and then walk the mile or so to Millom station and catch the train back to the car! There's also a great ice cream place at Haverigg that does milkshakes, cookie burgers and more.

Thanks guys, these are ace.

Think we'll def try haystacks and the milliom walk.

I'm just hoping the good weather holds, paddle boarding tomorrow!

We've just come back from the Western Lakes. I'd really recommend Ennerdale - crystal clear water with lots of places to swim. You can go round the whole lake, which is about 6.5 miles, or a smaller loop on the west side of the lake. I'd imagine it will be much quieter than the central lakes. Wastwater was also lovely, although a longish drive. We also did the ridge at Rannerdale Knotts, heading up from Buttermere and down at Crummock, which was a great walk with incredible views, but definitely busier. You can make it a circular walk by returning through the bluebell woods (I forget the name) - I think that would be 5/6 miles.

Birker Fell and Devoke Water were beautiful and felt quite wild.

@waleswhaleswails

Thanks guys, these are ace.

Think we'll def try haystacks and the milliom walk.

I'm just hoping the good weather holds, paddle boarding tomorrow!

The ice cream place is called Riva Gelato and is in a little blue hut on Harbour Lights Campsite. It's about 10 minutes from the main beach but 100% worth it! The ice cream is all made fresh on site and you can watch the owner do it through the kitchen door

@cheeseismydownfall

Birker Fell and Devoke Water were beautiful and felt quite wild.

I'll second this! And if you're going up Birker Fell, stop off at the Crosby Cake Cupboard (an honesty cupboard filled with homemade cakes by a local farm).

The snack shed is open weekends and serves sandwiches, tea, coffee, cold drinks and ice cream too.

There's a good book of walks I bought years ago from the services, walks were well described with things to identify to kids and were from 1 mile to 9-10 miles with short cuts identified where available

We used Tom do
Catbells
The Newlands Valley to the magic waterfalls at the very end (no climbing! )
Causey Pike
Lords seat from Whinlatter visitor centre
Around the lake with a swim at the Chinese bridge or scone and sail at Nichol end.
Surprise view to Wattendlath for an ice cream
The round of Buttermere