Fell Walking

Fell walking is the art of ascending mountains without the need for mountaineering or the equipment that goes with it. Usually, ropes are not required - certainly almost all of the Lake District's peaks can be reached without any need for anything more than hand-holding some rocks along the way.

Some of the fells do have routes up them that are challenging. Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark, for example, is closer to rock climbing than any other walking route in Lakeland. However, all of the peaks listed by Wainwright have walkable routes up them and only a handful require a head for heights or pose a serious risk of falling or serious injury.

That said, fell walking is not without its risks. The two main risks in Lakeland are:

The weather - four seasons a day, every day, is the norm. Getting lost on the fells in bad weather is not a pleasant experience. It can be dangerous - so it is essential to carry a proper walker's map and compass and to know how to use them. Always carry basic survival gear.

The paths are rocky - Wainwright would always advise 'watch your feet' and he is right. Very few mountains have paths that can be walked on in a care-free manner. The risk is tripping and falling or, worse still, tapping a foot between some rocks and then snapping an ankle or a leg! So, if you want to admire the view: STOP!

To walk the fells safely, please refer to these pages: