The Best 25 Ridge Walks in The Lake District

Trust the experts - these are the Lake District 'ridge' walks you really cannot afford to miss!

One of the best things about walking in The Lake District National Park is the opportunity to walk along high mountain Ridges* with grand vistas on either side.

In fact, after doing all that uphill work to reach a mountain summit - it would be a shame not to venture at least some way along the ridge before descending again to a well earned drink.

Walk The Best 25 Ridge Walks in The Lake District

But because there are so many great Ridges* in the Lake District to walk along - deciding which one is the best to do first (or next) can be daunting.

We've been walking the Lake District Fells for more than 40 years and this list is a collection of 25 of our personal favourites.

This list includes walks, routes and maps of various lengths, ascents, grades, airiness and popularity so there is bound to be something to suit you (and your energy levels).

In any event, all these Lake District ridge walk route maps take you to the vantage points offering the very best views in the Lake District - so go on a nice day if you can.

Don't miss The Best 25 Ridge Walks in The Lake District

This is of course a personal choice and it wasn't easy. Indeed, it has taken over 40 years to compile! However if you prefer to search for your own walks - go4awalk.com has a huge choice of other walks, routes & maps in The Lake District to choose from including:

• Walks in The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps covering the whole of the Lake District . . .
  
  
• Our pick of The Best Walks in The Lake District
  The Lake District walks, routes and maps any self-respecting walker should not miss . . .
  
  
• Our pick of The Best 'Ridge' Walks in The Lake District
  Ridge walks, routes and maps with views to cleanse the soul . . .
  
  
• Our pick of The Best Walks in The Lake District in the rain or snow
  If you spend any length of time in the Lakes it will rain or snow. So be prepared . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Central Fells area of The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps up The Langdale Pikes, Ullscarf, High Raise . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Eastern Fells of The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps up Helvellyn, Striding Edge, Fairfield, St Sunday Crag . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Far Eastern Fells of The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps up High Street, Thornthwaite Crag, Kentmere Pike, Yoke . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Northern Fells of The Lake District
  Walks up Skiddaw, Blencathra or Saddleback, Sharp Edge . . .
  
  
• Walks in The North Western Fells of The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps up Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike, The Newlands Horseshoe . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Southern Fells of The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps up Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, Bow Fell, Crinkle Crags . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Western Fells of The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps up Great Gable, Pillar, High Stile, Hay Stacks . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Far Eastern Marches of The Lake District
  Walks, routes, maps up Lambrigg Fell, Grey Crag (Sleddale), Whinfell Beacon, Mabbin Crag, Great Yarlside . . .
  
  
• Walks in The South Eastern Marches of The Lake District
  Walks, routes and maps up Orrest Head, School Knott, Scout Scar . . .
  
  
• Walks in The Southern Marches area of The Lake District National Park
  Walks, routes and maps up Stickle Pike, Banishead, Grizedale Forest . . .
  
  
• Walks in The South Western Marches area of The Lake District National Park
  Walks, routes and maps up Black Combe, Caw (Dunnerdale Fells), Dawson Pike . . .
  
  
• Lake District Peak Bagging Maps and Tick Lists
  Never miss a tick in The Lake District . . .
  
  
• The go4awalk.com Guide to The Lake District
  Where to go, what to see and what not to miss . . .
  
  

Or simply enter a walk, route, map or location name into our Search facility or surf one of our unique interactive walk selection maps covering the Lake District National Park.

Stop Press! If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Palm or Blackberry you can now use it to download and save Walk Route Maps in with go4awalk Mobile. Here's how. Simply enter www.go4awalk.com in your iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Palm or Blackberry's internet browser (e.g. Safari) and follow the on-screen links.

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*NB. 'Ridge' Walks should not be confused with 'Edge' Walks.

'Ridge' Walks involve easy walking along a wide, undulating path high in the mountains. There are lots to choose from and once you have made the initial ascent up onto the ridge, you will be able to follow a wide, clear path with broad extensive views to either side.

While some ridge walks have a steep craggy drop on one side - all are wide enough to enable you to walk well back from the edge if this is your preferred route.

'Edge'' Walks on the other hand are much less common and involve walking along a knife edge with a steep drop on both sides. To undertake 'Edge' walks you will need to be sure of foot and require a good head for heights. Whilst some people seek out the adrenalin rush these Edge Walks offer, they are not for everybody.

There are in fact only 3 'Edge' walks in the Lake District - Sharp Edge, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. To find walks up all three enter the Edge name into our Walk Search facility.

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