Best walks for older children in the Lakes?

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We love the Lakes and I am thrilled that even now at 10 DS1 would rather go there than anywhere else on holiday. It is so lovely to see both boys (10 & 8) thoroughly enjoying simple pleasures - getting to the top, trowing stones in a stream, paddling, watching waterfalls or maybe building a dam.

They're also up for a reasonable length walk as long as there are lots of points of interest along the way (or the promise of ice cream/a pub meal at the end)

We like to make the walks seem adventurous, with a fair bit of climbing and the feel that you've "climbed a mountain" but haven't yet done any of the real Lakeland classics with the DC. They have explored Loughrigg extensively and climbed the Lion & Lamb at Grassmere and Catbells. What would be a natural progression? We tend to cover 6-8 miles in a day, depending on the gradient.

Ullswater is fantastic for that kind of walk. Pooley bridge to Glennridding is a good one, then you can cheat and get the steamer back to pooley.

Just seen age and interest point. Another shorter walk would be to walk from Pooly Bridge to Howtown, steamer to glennridding, stream etc to mess in, also you can debate whether to do scafell then steamer again.

Thankyou Honeydragon, we did an Ullwater walk, using the Steamer last year, in the rain. We took the boat out to Howton from Glenridding and walked back to Glenridding. ( I was scared of doing it the other way in case we missed the last boat!) It was long and tiring day, but the boys still talk about it.

what about Aira Force? Nice easy walk to the waterfall, bit touristy but good?

Or one of the Grasmere /Wordworthy walks and incorporate a pub lunch?

Coniston Old Man?

Wansfell Pike and Place Fell in Patterdale are both very low and easy walks. You can make Wansfell into a nice 6-8 miler by setting off from Ambleside and going via Robin Lane.

Blencathra is also a fairly gentle climb from memory.

oooh yes Wansfell is lovely

Gummershow or Orrest head will give you some spectacular views of lake windermere, and plenty of stuff to do at the lake when you come back down

Gummershow seconded here

HayStacks from the top of the Honnister Pass is a good walk.

Catstycam from Glenridding - it is a long slog out of the village (children seem to hate that bit of most walks) , but good if you can park further up towards the Youth Hostel - impossible in school hols, though! Drop the kids off by the youth hostel, then one of you go back and park, and catch up! It involves the crossing of the old dam,very exciting, and a steep climb up the sheer face of the fell (not too taxing) and a very pleasing pointy summit with a spectacular view of the Helvellyn col. You can come down via Red Tarn and then an easy path. The walk from the youth hostel to the dam is a bit dreary.

Thank you lots of lovely ideas. DS2 climbed Wansfell when he was just 4. He was a hero that day! We went straight up and down from Ambleside, via the waterfalls on the way back. Have never done the round though so will consider that.

I don't know Gummershow or Catstycam, so will have a look a those.

Consiton Old Man was the first moutain I climbed, when DH and I were courting (20+ years ago) Woefully ill equipped, in trainers, I found it a slog and have never been back!

Aira Force is indeed lovely. DS1 has already got that one top of his list

Wansfell Pike at 4 .... WoW.

How about on the otherside i.e Troutbeck have a look at this video

You make the trip last all day or stop earlier around the Tongue.

Regards, Fellside

I think Gummershow would be too easy for OP's boys as nice as it is.
I used to take mine when they were about 4 and say it was there first rock climb. We went again last summer and it is just as beautiful.

I would suggest the Langdales going to Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn. There is a grade 1 scramble (Jack's Rake) here if you are confident on easy scrambles. My boys have loved this.

This website is great for ideas. www.walkingenglishman.com/

I agree with Old Man Coniston. I did this about 6 weeks ago when the weather first became nice and had the most fab day. Also starting from Coniston you can do the Coppermine trails which is a good mountain walk with interest.

yes gummershow may be a bit easy, my 4 year old does it too (he loves walking and we have the lakes as a playground as we live there ) the views are fab though

Oh yes- Jack's rake! You have to have a head for heights though and quite a long reach so might not be great if your kids are on the small side.

I think Orrest Head would be quite tame really.

Given what they're already done, I would have thought Coniston Old Man would be fine. It's only steep right at the top and before that it's on good paths with some interesting old mines etc to look at.

If they have stamina, Scafell PIke via the Corridor route from Borrowdale is not too taxing, but it's a long walk. They might like the prestige of having climbed England's highest mountain!

Isn't Scafell from Borrowdale something like a 12 mile round trip though?
I found it plenty taxing!

yes - you could be right, it is a fair way!

What about Snowdon or Scotland as a natural progression?