14.5km / 9 miles / 5-5.5 hours Ascent 777m/2550ft

The Lake District National Park, in England’s north-west, has inspired countless poets, authors and artists, hillwalkers, nature lovers and day trippers. With its rugged peaks, green valleys, seemingl

It’s been a long mile, trudging uphill in the rain, across uninspiring fields, past rickety ruins of long-abandoned farm buildings, mud slowly working its way up my waterproof trousers. Sometimes walk

The traditional Lake District village of Threlkeld nestles at the foot of Blencathra – so you can make this a car-free weekend.

16.9km / 10.5 miles / 5.5 hours Ascent 388m/1305ft

■ Distance: 7¾ miles/12.6km ■ Time: 4½-6 hours ■ Grade: Moderate