Top 10 Viewpoints in the Lake District
The English Lake District is a 2,362 km² UNESCO World Heritage cluster of glacially-carved valleys and the lakes that occupy them. Modest summits by international standards (highest is Scafell Pike at 978 m), but the concentration of viewpoints per square kilometre is among the highest in Europe. These ten cover the major valleys.
1. Scafell Pike — 978 m
Highest peak in England. Reached from Wasdale Head (5-6 hours return) or Seathwaite via the Corridor Route (7-8 hours). Summit cairn with views in all directions on a clear day; Snowdonia visible to the south on the best days.
2. Helvellyn via Striding Edge — 950 m
A knife-edge arête from Patterdale leading to the third-highest English summit. The ridge requires hands; not for inexperienced scramblers. The summit plateau looks east to the Pennines and west to the Scafells.
3. Catbells, Derwentwater — 451 m
A modest fell above Derwentwater with one of the most-walked summit routes in the country. Two hours return from Hawes End. The summit looks directly down to Derwentwater with Skiddaw rising 200 metres higher across the lake.
4. Old Man of Coniston — 803 m
The principal Coniston summit, with views west into the Duddon valley and east over Coniston Water. Old slate quarry workings on the lower flanks. Two-and-a-half-hour ascent from Coniston village.
5. Skiddaw — 931 m
A bulky fell above Bassenthwaite, reached by 6-km path from the gate at Latrigg car park. The summit looks south over Keswick and Derwentwater with the Scafell range as horizon.
6. Loughrigg Fell — 335 m
A small fell between Ambleside and Grasmere with one of the best photogenic compositions in the Lakes: Windermere and the southern lakes to the south, Langdale and the Crinkles to the west. One hour from Ambleside.
7. Castle Crag, Borrowdale — 290 m
The smallest Wainwright with one of the most-praised views: directly down Borrowdale to Derwentwater, with the surrounding fells in a circle. Short climb from Rosthwaite.
8. Place Fell, Ullswater — 657 m
The east-side fell above Ullswater, reached from Patterdale or Sandwick. The view over Ullswater toward Helvellyn (across the water) is the classic Ullswater composition.
9. Surprise View, Borrowdale — 200 m
A roadside viewpoint above the wooded Borrowdale gorge, with Derwentwater spreading out below. Five-minute walk from the B5289 layby. The most photographable drive-in viewpoint in the Lakes.
10. High Street Roman road — 828 m
A ridge running north-south above Haweswater and Ullswater, following a Roman road. The summit plateau looks east to the Pennines and west to the central Lake District peaks. Long but easy ridge walking with views the whole way.
Explore on the map
The Lakes divide into the central fells (Borrowdale, Langdale, Scafells), the northern fells (Skiddaw, Blencathra), the east (Helvellyn, High Street), and the south (Coniston, Windermere). Filter by elevation and hike length on the interactive map.