Lake District Best Views, Least Effort

List of locations with great views which require the least effort.

1. Surprise View.
   View over Derwent Water to Cat Bells, Bassenthwaite, Skiddaw and Keswick.
   Effort None. Parking very near.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 26825 18992
2. Blea Tarn in Langdale.
   Fantastic view over the Tarn to the Langdale Pikes.
   Effort Minimal. Short flat walk on gravel path from NT car park.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 29327 04269
3. Orrest Head.
   View over Windermere and Bowness.
   Effort Medium. Walk up a gravel path to the viewpoint.
   OS Grid Ref: SD 41434 99385
4. Latrigg.
   Huge panoramic views over Keswick, Derwent Water to Borrowdale.
   Effort Medium. Walk up a gravel path to the viewpoint.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 27943 24723
5. Wrynose Pass.
   Huge view down into Little Langdale.
   Effort Minimal. Short flat walk from gravel layby.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 28160 02915
6. Hardknott Fort.
   View down the Eskdale Valley to the coast.
   Effort Minimal. Short flat walk from the layby
   OS Grid Ref: NY 22027 01522
7. Birker Fell road.
   Large  panoramic views over Eskdale to Scafell.
   Effort None. Parking all along the road.
   OS Grid Ref: SD 16989 97943

Medium to Hard Difficulty Walks

1. Hallin Fell.
   Views over Ullswater in all directions.
   Effort Medium/Hard. Steep walk up a grass path to the viewpoints.
2. Hardknott Fell.
   Sca Fell Range.
   Effort Difficult. Steep(ish) climb form parking at top of Hardknott pass road.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 23242 02416
3. Castle Crag.
   Views over Derwent Water and into the Borrowdale Valley.
   Effort Medium. Walk up a path to the viewpoint. Very steep at end.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 24943 15934
4. Gowbarrow (Bernard Pike) above Aira Force.
   View over Ullswater to Glenridding.
   Effort Medium. Walk up a grass path to the viewpoints.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 40482 20610OS Grid Ref: NY 43345 19798
5. Path to Warnscale Bothy.
   View down the Buttermere valley.
   Effort Medium/Hard. Long walk up a path to the viewpoint.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 20360 13306
6. Newlands Hause.
   View down the Newlands Valley.
   Effort None. Parking very near.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 19300 17678
7. Honister
   National Trust/Slate Mine. View down the Honister Pass. Plus view down Buttermere valley if you’re prepared to walk.
   Effort None to Hard. Parking very near.
   OS Grid Ref: NY 22497 13582

Surprise View is above Derwent Water on the Ashness Bridge / Watendlath Road.

Great panoramic views over Derwent Water to Cat Bells, Bassenthwaite, Skiddaw and Keswick.
Effort None. Parking across the road.
OS Grid Ref: NY 26825 18992

Directions.

1. Take the B5289 from Keswick (the Borrowdale Road)
2. Take the turn to Ashness Bridge – approx half way down Derwent Water. (See Pic 1)
3. Continue up the road over Ashness Bridge past the first car park for the bridge
4. Continue up the winding road until it flattens out.
5. NT Car Park on left. (see pic 2)
6. 10 second walk over road to view point. (see pic 4)

Blea Tarn in Langdale

Fantastic views over the Tarn to the Langdale Pikes.
Effort Minimal. Short flat walk on gravel path from NT car park.
Longish drive along narrow roads from either Great Langdale or Little Langdale. Last section isn’t suitable for campervans or caravans.
OS Grid Ref: NY 29327 04269

Directions from Great Langdale

1. From the A593 (Ambleside to Coniston Road) turn onto the B5343 (see pic 1)
2. Then just keep going. Past Elterwater, through Chapel Stile, past New Dungeon Ghyll then just after Old Dungeon Ghyll the road goes sharp left (looks like a dead end).
   Beyond this point the road isn’t suitable for campervans or caravans.
3. Keep going past the campsite and the farm. Over the narrow cattle grid, up the steep windy road.
4. One the way up and at the top there are great views over Oxendale to the Langdale Pikes.
5. At the top carry on over the Cattle grid and follow the narrow road around the left of the tarn. Not many passing places so look ahead for oncoming traffic.
6. Keep going, NT car park is on left opposite the gate to the path around the Tarn.

Directions from Little Langdale

1. From the A593 (Ambleside to Coniston Road) take the turning for Wrynose/Elterwater/The Langdales (see pic 4)
2. Turn left at the white cottage up the steep hill to Little Langdale. (see pic 5)
   Note – the ‘Extreme Caution’ warning sign only applies to the Wrynose/Hardknott passes. Not to the road to Blea Tarn.
3. Keep going through Little Langdale
4. Keep going past the Wrynose pass turn (see pic 6)
5. Up the hill car park on right.

Latrigg

Huge panoramic views over Keswick, Derwent Water to Borrowdale.
Effort Medium. 15 minute walk on a gravel path with a few slopes to the viewpoint.
OS Grid Ref: NY 27943 24723

Directions from Keswick

1. From the Keswick island on the A66 take the A591 north (Carlisle exit) 
2. Almost immediately take the right turn to Underscar. (sse pic 1)
3. Follow the road up the hill. As the road levels out look for a sharp right turn signposted Skiddaw. It’s the first right you’ll come to. (see pic 2)
4. Parking is at the end of the road. Gets full pretty quickly as it’s also the start of the path up Skiddaw. (see pic 3)
5. Go through the gate at the top of the car park, then take the gate on the right.
6. The walk takes about 10 – 15 minutes up a gently rising footpath that leads to the view point.