Beautiful walks in the Kendal region

Kendal Mountain Festival is the ultimate gathering for anyone who loves the outdoors. Whether you’re a mountaineer or a trail runner, a mountain biker or an avid hiker, our mission is to share the adventure. For over 40 years, the festival has enthralled with its exclusive film premières, exciting exhibitions, world-class literature and inspirational talks from some of mountaineering and outdoor adventures’ greatest exponents.

Today, ‘Kendal’ has become recognised as the main annual social event for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK and has built a strong international reputation. The festival continues to go from strength to strength, hand-in-hand with its host town.

We’re truly blessed to call the historic town of Kendal our home. This thriving gateway to the Lake District is nestled in the beautiful vale of the River Kent and is surrounded by glorious countryside. The wealth of hiking routes accessible from the town is magnificent, with something for everyone, from the kids to the grandparents.

This hiking Collection showcases five of the best walks direct from the Kendal Mountain Festival Basecamp Village in the centre of the town, as well as three others that are easily reached by train from Kendal station. There’s everything from easy ambles that are ideal for kids – such as a loop of Kendal taking in the sculpture trail at Serpentine Woods – to more strenuous hillwalking outings, such as a loop of the fells above Staveley. While they were originally put together for visitors to the annual festival, we'd also love to see you taking on these hikes year-round.

The Tours blend the scenic beauty of the region with its vibrant wildlife and rich history. Ascend to the site of an Iron Age hillfort boasting sensational Lakeland panoramas and inhabited by a herd of native ponies; follow the course of a bygone industrial artery to a former pele tower built to ward off marauding Scots; follow in the footsteps of a young Alfred Wainwright to the viewpoint that had him fall in love with the fells; or hike up to a secretive tarn with its own wooded island; there’s so much to discover.

Our routes are suitable for all reasonably fit hikers. Walking shoes or boots are recommended along with waterproofs – this is Cumbria, after all. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat or a coffee along the routes. Post walk, you can find everything you need for refreshment either at Basecamp or in the town centre of Kendal, while the routes away from Kendal are blessed with at least one pub near their respective stations.

Kendal is easy to reach by train. Just a short hop from the town, Oxenholme Lake District station is on the West Coast Mainline between London and Glasgow and connects to Kendal’s main station on the Lakes Line, which terminates at Windermere. For motorists, the town is just a short drive from the M6.

For more information about Kendal Mountain Festival, visit: kendalmountainfestival.com

See you on the trails!