In the heart of Cumbria, the mountains of the Lake District (or fells as they are known here) have inspired generation upon generation of walkers. A world-famous National Park, it offers fantastic hiking opportunities for keen outdoors folk and their adventurous pups looking to tread foot and paw through rugged, mountainous landscapes. With year-round inspiration for fell-top walks, it is somewhere that every keen hiker should visit at least once.
Weaving through ancient valleys with tumbledown Roman walls and past deepwater lakes set between scree-covered slopes, the hiking trails of this bracken-tufted Eden are some of the very best in the country. Needless to say, if you’re looking for inspiration for dog-friendly hikes, you’ve found the right place. For savvy hikers and their keen canine chums, we’ve put together a list of the highest mountains in the Lake District to walk with your dog and some of the best routes to follow.
Scafell Pike (978 metres)
The Lake District National Park is home to the largest mountains in England – the highest of which is Scafell Pike. Home to the highest pool of water in England (Broad Crag Tarn) and towering over the deepest lake in the country (Wastwater), it boasts endless intrigue and beauty at every turn. Understandably an attractive challenge to the intrepid, the peak of Scafell Pike rises to 978 meters above sea level and can be accessed via a series of different routes. One of the most popular and direct of Scafell Pike’s trails is a 6-mile route from Wasdale Head. A great choice for beginners, it is a well-trodden route that is mostly straightforward and easy to follow, although there are some places where you can go off-piste en route, so do take a map. What’s more, this route skirts the Wasdale Head Inn, a great dog-friendly pub at the foot of the mountains that beckons for post-walk refreshments.
Scafell (964 metres)
The slightly smaller sibling of Scafell Pike, the 964-meter Scafell is separated from England’s highest mountain by Mickledore and Broad Stand. The second highest fell in the country, it is one of the most popular Wainwright walks (established by author and Lake District devotee Alfred Wainwright) and makes for a superb extension of the Scafell Pike route. If you’ve got plenty of energy left and have planned accordingly (including packing lots of water and treats for yourself and your four-legged friend), then you can continue your walkies from the summit of Scafell Pike to Scafell via Lord’s Rake. Marked by a rocky cairn, the views from the top of Scafell are truly spectacular with 360-degree panoramas across the surrounding lakes and Wastwater below. If you’ve got an eye for a photo, you’ll definitely want to take your camera with you for this one.
Helvellyn (950 metres)
Helvellyn is the third highest mountain in England and is a well-known name amongst those in the hiking world. With five ridges, the rocky spine of this mountain forms a striking silhouette along the horizon, outstretched like a sleeping dragon. To ascend and descend this ethereal beauty, you’ll need to allow yourself between at least 6 and 7 hours depending on your pace. Though a summit climb via Striding Edge is one of the most well-known, we don’t really recommend following this route with your dog as it features exceptionally steep slopes on both sides and is considered tricky even for experienced hikers. Instead, Thirlmere (from Swirls car park) is generally regarded as the easiest route to climb Helvellyn and rewards walkers to incredible Lake District vistas. As ever, caution and care is advised with every hike, especially in winter.
Skiddaw (931 meters)
The quintessential Cumbrian mountain, Skiddaw is the fourth-highest mountain in England and stands in regal isolation from its neighbours. Drawn with smooth, angular flanks, shaded gills and coarse scree faces that cascade downhill, it is one of the most recognisable and most aesthetic of the Lake District’s fells. If you’d like to hike Skiddaw with your dog, clip on leads, pull on boots and get ready for an unforgettable day in the mountains. Though there are a few different paths that you can choose from to reach the top, the Jenkin Hill Path from Keswick is the most established route, once used as a pony route by Victorian tourists. Affording uninterrupted views across the Vale of Derwent and the peaks of the eastern, central, southern and western fells, it promises a truly rewarding ramble – especially when celebrated with a flask of tea, a biscuit and dog treats at the top.
Great Gable (899 metres)
Great by name and great by nature, Great Gable is one of the best mountains in the Lake District for showstopping hikes. Particularly enjoyable when combined with neighbouring Kirk Fell, it encourages seasoned hikers from near and far to conquer its craggy summit for themselves. As with most of the Lake District’s peaks, there are a number of different trails that you can follow which splinter and branch out in various directions towards surrounding valleys and fells. That said, if you arrive early enough to bag a car parking space, you can begin your ascent from Wasdale Head and follow a well-worn path from there. As the fells here are often grazed by sheep, you’ll need to keep your dog under close control. That said, on sunny days there are some great places for your dog to play and cool off, with a series of tarns peppering the way between the two mountains. Some of the best places to stay nearby are Gosforth and Eskdale Green.
Looking for something easier?
Catbells (450 metres)
If after all that hiking you’re looking for a slightly easier walk to wind down with, pop Catbells on your list of mountains to hike with your dog. It’s close to accommodation in Keswick and is half the size of the National Park’s highest mountains, yet still promising a spirited climb with some steep sections. It sets the scene for wonderful Lake District walks – all with a magnificent backdrop of Derwentwater. At the modest height of 450 meters above sea level, it can be hiked in around 3 hours with plenty of places to pause paws and admire the mountainscapes along the way. Just don’t be put off by the name – you won’t find any cats up here!
Old Man of Coniston (802 metres)
Although 802 metres high, the Old Man of Coniston is a less challenging hike than some of the other high fells in the Lake District. Many people take the long slog from the lakeside town of Coniston but for speedier access, pick up the trail from Walna Scar car park, which is already a large part of the way up the mountain. We hiked this last summer with our dog Ted, who enjoyed the adventure, especially the cooling swim in the tarn on the way down. Just one of the many thrilling activities you can enjoy with a dog in the Lake District.
Book Accommodation for Your Lake District Mountain Adventure
If you fancy a hiking trip up the Lake District’s highest mountains, you’ll need some quality accommodation to rest your and your dog’s weary legs. Check out our wide selection of dog-friendly accommodation in the Lake District, all perfectly located within easy reach of these spectacular mountains and other walking trails in the Lakes.
