If you were taking a fit novice tonthe Lake District, which walks would you do?

[Penstick]

I love the Lakes and have done all the high level walks, not so many of the shorter walks.

I'm going with a friend, a man in his 40s, who's very fit in a soft southern road runner kind of way, but not used to the mountains.

The first time he came with me, we had what could have been a dreadful accident attempting Scafell Pike, when he literally fell off the side of the path (it crumbled under him) and if it hadn't been for a tree that caught him, would have had a fall of several metres. We turned back and understandably he's nervous about another attempt.

Tell me your best "mountains" where he'll feel comfortable?

We obviously have short days at this time of year too so looking for short walks of maybe 5 hours or so.

Blencathra avoiding the ridge routes

Rannerdale Knotts (amazing views, not a long walk)

Loughrigg

I have actually done Loughrigg with him. It's accessible, but it's not a great walk?

Rannerdale Knott, great walk, little scramble at the top and amazing views over buttermere. Catches is another one, not too challenging and you can get the boat over to the start or walk from portiscale, both starts

Loughrigg is a fabulous walk and the walk down to the terrace will test knees properly.
Wansfell, the other side of Ambleside is quite tough, with lovely walks back via Troutbeck and I think it’s called Robins Lane where you can veiw Windermere.
The Fairfield Horseshoe is more challenging but not as hard as the big ones. And has the best tea and cake stop at Rydall Hall cafe

I love the walk over Wansfell and back along the coffin train to Ambleside.

I also love Fairfield Horsehoe, but remember that as a long day.

Catbells?

The northern fells? There is a nice loop you can do of Longlands, Lowthwaite and Brea fell which feels impressive as you’re surrounded by slightly bigger fells but is all very easy going. Also quiet which is a rarity for the lakes.

I really enjoy parking at Whinlatter and doing Lords Seat and Barf from there, it isn’t too much climb and the views are spectacular. Barf is notorious for being a MRT call out hotspot but if you follow the VERY OBVIOUS gradual path down to the side of it you cannot get stuck on the loose ground at the “front.”

Latrigg is nice

Walla Cragg (but can be busy)

The ridge from grasmere which takes you up Stone Arthur, and round to heron pike and nab scar is lovely.

Birkhouse Moor from Glenridding gives fantastic views of hellvelynn without actually going up it

Grasmere coffin route.

I second Rannerdale Knotts, and also nearby High Snockrigg. For HS park at Newlands Pass parking area rather than take the steep ascent from Buttermere. You can stop off at Moss Force waterfall on the way up.

Also, a nice walk to the top of Scarth Gap Pass is my favourite thing to do in the Lake District. Not too demanding or treacherous underfoot.

I did the Stone Arthur walk that @Lastqueenofscotland2 refers to on Christmas Day last year - it's easy with good views.

Would also recommend Helm Crag as a half-dayer up and down during short daylight days, or as circular with Steel Fell. High Raise from Grasmere is a good walk - the last bit is a long walk up a plateau that's slightly angled up in front of you so you can't really see the view until you're on top of it and then wow - the whole of the Lake District laid out in front of you. Stunning.

Langdale. - you have some flexibility on length/how many.

Coniston Old Man

Just for the Black Bull pub at the end.

Sheffield Pike from Glencoyne
(not via Heron Crag in either direction)

Gowbarrow: a nice circular walk, can start in the Aira Force car park

For a flat walk, a walk all the way round Buttermere lake is gorgeous; or Crummock if you want to spend a bit longer walking!

Melbreak - along and around the base and then up, not up the steep side or the scree path

Not Striding Edge. I still have nightmares about being persuaded to go across it (on the difficult side) and freezing in terror halfway across. Managed to carry on across as had no other choice.

Well, no not striding edge.
I think we are all trying to suggest walks without edges, scrambles, very steep rocky sections etc

Maybe not as adventurous as you want but its 11 miles from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge on the Ullswater way (the Aira force side) and it's a lovely walk. You could park at one place and get the steamer at the start / end of your walk

Bowscale

Yes, I see.
I really like the 'coffin route' from Ambleside to Grasmere, stopping there for coffee / ice cream then going round the other side of the lake on the way back.
Also, starting from Chapel Stile in the Langdale Valley, going up and over (not high) to Little Langdale and walking around the lake there. We always stop off at the fabulous Eltermere Inn for tea and cake on the way back.

Hart's Crag and Dove Crag to bag two Wainwrights in one and whet his appetite by seeing the tempting bulk of St Sunday Crag and Helvellyn. As others have said, Catbells and there's also the option of getting the launch across to make it even more memorable. Latrigg is easy and has truly stunning views over Keswick.

Or the Yewdale fells for much the same reason, bit lower than Old Man but rewarding.
The Black Bull is awesome

You're not my cousin, are you ?

She's obsessed with the Black Bull