Why the Lake District?

Lake District Nat. Park is in the north western part of England in Cumbria.

The area is the largest National Park in the UK (occupying 885 sq. mls) and is thought of as one of its most beautiful places and England's best destination for mountain Walking and rock scrambling. Hills or mountains in the the Lake District are known by their local name of Fells.

The Lakes's Fells are England's only true mountain range and though not large by international standards (ie not being much over 3000 feet or 1000 m) they nonetheless provide a high number of exciting and rewarding mountain walks. All can be hiked (as opposed to 'climbed' without equipment) and due to the long tradition of walking for fun here there is a large network of walking routes. Additionally there is unrestricted access to almost all paths above the 'intake wall' (the final wall as you hike out of the valley). According to author (A. Wainwright) there are two hundred and fourteen Hills, many of which offer a few routes, plus many opportunities to walk between the hills. The tallest hill is Scafell Pike. This 'highest' designation leads to lots of traffic, and day-trippers who want to hike up a tall Lake District hill might want to choose a different one. Many of the slightly smaller hills are to be honest much more exciting to walk up while also giving better views. Skiddaw and Kentmere are popular choices. Less well-known fells include Bowfell, Fairfield and Grisedale Pike. The central attraction are the numerous lakes and mountains carved by glacial erosion and giving wonderful and inspiring scenery although much changed by early humans, mostly by farming. It is the old home of cultural luminaries for example William Wordsworth and Mr John Ruskin, and the walking routes and fells are famously documented by Alfred Wainwright. Initially settled in the Stone Age and occupied by the Romans lakes was massively influenced by the Norse in their occupation circa 900AD.

They cleared the native trees to produce charcoal to melt lead in Glenridding and copper in Borrowdale Valley and around Coniston.

The Norsemen brought the Herdwick sheep to the fells The national park is popular with both UK and international tourists and this can cause delays around busy holidays at the most popular locations.