The Lakeland Way is a circular long-distance walk through the Lake District, created by Richard Jennings.
This 144-mile journey follows old coach and drove roads, corpse routes, and tracks once used by traders travelling between valleys with packhorses.
On some sections, you can follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers as they marched through valleys and over high fells between strategically placed forts in others paths that were walked by miners and quarrymen, making their way from neighbouring hamlets to workplaces deep in the fells.
The Lakeland Way is designed to celebrate scenery, nature, and history rather than being a mission to bag summits. It is not an official route or a waymarked path. It is Richard Jennings’ personal walk—a tribute to the people who have lived, worked, and shaped this extraordinary landscape.
Find out more about the route here.
The Lakeland Way – A Circular Long-Distance Walk
The Lakeland Way is a 144-mile circular long-distance walking route through the heart of the Lake District, the route takes around twelve days to complete and offers an unforgettable journey through some of the finest scenery, landscapes, and history that Lakeland has to offer.
Rather than being a challenge focused on climbing the highest summits, The Lakeland Way is a journey through the wider landscape of the Lake District. The route celebrates the scenery, nature, heritage, and people that have shaped this remarkable part of England.
The walk follows a fascinating network of historic paths and ancient routes, including old coach roads, drove roads, corpse routes, and tracks once used by traders travelling between valleys with packhorses. Many of these paths were also used by miners and quarrymen travelling from neighbouring villages and hamlets to their workplaces deep in the fells.
In places, the route follows in the footsteps of Roman soldiers who once marched through Lakeland’s valleys and over its high fells between strategically positioned forts. Along the way, walkers pass close to numerous historical sites, ancient settlements, mines, quarries, bridges, churches, and other reminders of the people who have lived and worked in this landscape for centuries.
From the coast at Ravenglass, The Lakeland Way leads into the mountains, valleys, forests, and remote corners of the Lake District, offering a constantly changing experience of the landscape. Each day brings something different, from peaceful valley paths and historic tracks to open fell country and spectacular views.
The Lakeland Way is not an official National Trail or a waymarked path. It is Richard Jennings’ creation, created to celebrate the extraordinary character of Lakeland and to honour the generations of people who have lived, worked, travelled, and shaped this unique landscape.
Whether you are an experienced long-distance walker or simply have a deep appreciation for the Lake District, The Lakeland Way offers the opportunity to experience Lakeland from a different perspective—following the historic routes that connect its valleys, communities, and fells.
