Latrigg Walk: An Easy Route With Tips & Photos (2023)
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Looking to do the Latrigg walk? You’re in the right place! Latrigg is one of the best, easiest and most rewarding walks in the Lake District due to its low effort and incredible views.
It’s by far one of our favourite walks and Wainwrights in the Lake District, as it requires little effort, and most of the family can join in!
Situated just a short distance from the town of Keswick, reaching the summit of Latrigg is a walk with no sheer edges and drops, no scrambling and a gradual incline (yippee for those with a fear of heights!)
In fact, it’s such an easy walk that the famous Alfred Wainwright put in his guide; ‘anybody who cannot manage this short and simple climb is advised to give up the idea of becoming a fellwalker’.
A little harsh, Alfred, but I kind of see his point.
There are a few ways to reach the Latrigg summit, but one of the easiest and best ways is from the Underskiddaw car park. We do this short and easy walk every time we visit the Lake District because of its excellent accessibility and incredible views.
So, what do you need to know before doing the Latrigg walk to ensure you can become a successful fellwalker? 😅 Let’s get started!
Still have a question about the Latrigg walk? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!
Other Lake District posts:
- Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots
- Lake District Road Trip: 3 EPIC Routes
- Best Pubs in Keswick: The Lake District
Latrigg Walk: Route Summaries
If I ever take a new family member to the Lake District, I’ll plan a trip to Latrigg. It’s a great walk for first-time visitors to grasp just how beautiful the national park really is.
Latrigg is located near the village of Keswick, in the north of the Lake District National Park. It is an easy circular walk from either the Underskiddaw car park or Moot Hall in Keswick town centre.
Latrigg is accessible for most, due to its mix of flat, gravel and grass terrains. There are slight inclines along the way, but there are no strenuous climbs, and anyone with moderate fitness levels will be able to complete it.
We hike to the Latrigg summit every time we visit the Lake District. It’s accessible to everyone in the family, and it’s a low-effort walk that offers some of the most stunning views in the entire national park!
| From Keswick | From the Underskiddaw car park | |
| Total circular distance | 5km | 2km |
| Time needed | 2-2.5 hours | 1 hour |
| Walk difficulty | Easy-moderate | Easy |
| Facilities | None | None |
| Starting point | Keswick Central Car Park/Moot Hall | Underskiddaw Car Park |
| Closest village | Keswick | Keswick |
🥾TOP TIP: The Latrigg viewpoint from the Underskiddaw car park is one of the best easy hikes to do in wet weather. With no sheer edges, scrambling or uneven terrains, it’s a great rainy-day hike!
1) The Latrigg walk from the Underskiddaw car park
(40 mins – 1 hour circular loop)
EXPERT TIPS:
- Accessible car park which is free to use
- Can be completed in any weather
- No technical climbs
- A steady and gradual incline throughout
- Terrain includes both grass and gravel
- Sheep and cows throughout the route so dogs should be kept on leads
- No sheer edges or drops
The route to Latrigg from the Underskiddaw car park (click here for exact car park coordinates) is easy to follow and accessible for most.
It’s a 10-15 minute uphill drive from the centre of Keswick, along a narrow lane. Sometimes our map tries to take us on a long-winded route which can be annoying.
From the centre of Keswick, drive towards Applethwaite via Crosthwaite Road until you reach the roundabout. Go straight across the roundabout, then take a sharp right onto an unnamed country lane. Follow this road until you see the following signpost towards Skiddaw, pointing in the direction of Gale Road:
Continue along Gale Road until you reach the Underskiddaw car park where you can park up and begin your hike!
It’s a relatively small car park but we’ve always managed to get a space.
From the car park, there’s an easy walking trail to follow. Just take a sharp right out of the main gates and stick to the main path!
There are benches and rest stops along the way.
Even when we do the Latrigg circular walk at a slower pace, with lots of photos and stops to admire the views, we are back at the car park within an hour.
When you are circling back to the car park, you need to cross the grass instead of continuing on the trail (unless you’d like to extend your walk).
And expect to share the view with a few sheep!
🦽Need an accessible route to hike Latrigg? Check out this website for more information on the limited mobility path.
2) The Latrigg walking route from Keswick
(2-2.5 hours)
EXPERT TIPS:
- Accessible car park in Keswick (paid)
- Can be completed in any weather
- No technical climbs
- A steady and gradual incline throughout
- The terrain includes path, grass and gravel
- Sheep and cows throughout the route so dogs should be kept on leads
- No sheer edges or drops
If you would rather hike to Latrigg from Keswick, I recommend parking in Keswick town centre and heading for Fitz Park.
From Fitz Park, head to Spooney Green Lane, which has a public bridleway with a signpost for Skiddaw. You’ll cross over the River Greta, and then the path is straightforward and well-signposted to the top of Latrigg.
At one point, you will see a path and sign for Latrigg saying it is 3/4 of a mile away. You can either take this turning or continue straight to complete a circular route (and come back down that way).
Either way, both paths lead to Latrigg, and again, it’s incredibly hard to get lost!
Fancy taking a different route to the top of Latrigg? The Latrigg via the Railway path starts at the War Memorial in Keswick, via Brundholme Woods and Brundholme Road and offers great views of both Latrigg and Skiddaw. You can find out more about this Latrigg walk in detail here!
⭐ Top-rated experiences in the Lake District!
- Lake District epic 10-Lake Full-Day Tour
- Visit the favourite countryside of Beatrix Potter
- Set sail on a Coniston Water Cruise and admire some of the best scenery in the Lake District
- Experience afternoon tea on a lake cruise
- Try an adrenaline-pumping Ghyll Scrambling Water Adventure
Where is the Latrigg walk?
The closest town to Latrigg is Keswick. It is around a 50-minute walk from the centre of town, or a 20-25 minute walk from the Underskiddaw car park.
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Getting to the Latrigg walk
🚘 GETTING TO LATRIGG BY CAR
You can either start the Latrigg walk from Keswick town centre or the Underskiddaw free car park. For reference, the postcode of Latrigg is CA12 4PQ, or the exact Google Map directions are linked here.
Ambleside > Latrigg: 40 minutes
Keswick > Latrigg: 7 minutes
Grasmere > Latrigg: 30 minutes
Bowness > Latrigg: 50 minutes
Coniston > Latrigg: 55 minutes
🚌 GETTING TO LATRIGG BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
To reach Latrigg by public transport, you can get the 555 bus from Ambleside or Bowness to Keswick. From Keswick, you will need to either walk to the summit or jump in a taxi to the Underskiddaw car park.
From most other locations, the journey to Latrigg by public transport is at least 2.5 hours or doesn’t exist. It might be best to hire a car or bicycle depending on where you’re staying.
Where to park for the Latrigg walk
If you are taking the short walk to Latrigg Viewpoint, you will need to park in the Underskiddaw car park.
From Keswick, you can park in any of Keswick’s main car parks in the town centre. The best starting point in Keswick is Moot Hall, so Central Car Park is the closest.
You may also like: Coniston Water Swimming: BEST Swim Spots
How long is the walk to Latrigg?
If you park in the Underskiddaw car park, the walk to the Latrigg viewpoint is 1km each way (a total of 2km). You can do the circular loop, take in the views and be back at the car within an hour.
Or, if you’re hiking from Keswick, the walk is just under 5km, and will take an average of 2-2.5 hours.
What to expect at Latrigg
From the Latrigg car park, go through the gate and follow the path to the right. This will lead you round to the viewpoint (marked with a few benches), and then circles back to the car park.
The path to the viewpoint has a slight incline, but it is still one of the easiest walks in the Lake District with an incredible view.
There is some bumpy gravel but no large rock surfaces to scramble on. There is an uphill gradient throughout (but nothing too strenuous).
🦽If you use a wheelchair and want to hike Latrigg, check out this website for more information on accessible routes in the Lake District.
What can you see from the Latrigg viewpoint?
The views from the Latrigg summit are breathtaking; with Keswick, Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Valley clearly in view.
If it’s a sunny and clear day, you may even be able to see the highest mountain in England; Scafell Pike, and the dramatic ridge and summit of Helvellyn!
Other walks near Latrigg
Latrigg is well-located and easily accessible from the village of Keswick. Just a short distance away is the Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Castlehead viewpoint and even the beautiful circular walk around Derwentwater.
There’s also the famous Skiddaw mountains that are great for experienced hikers.
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Is Latrigg a Wainwright?
Yes, Latrigg is one of the Lake District’s Wainwrights! It’s said to be the easiest Wainwright to hike, due to its easy access car park, gradual incline and short distance.
Even though it’s one of the smaller and easier Wainwrights, it still has incredible views and is well worth the trip.
Can you wild camp at Latrigg?
Wild camping is not permitted anywhere in the Lake District without the landowner’s permission. You can only wild camp at Latrigg if you have checked with whoever owns the land first.
However…if you’re out of sight, high above the ground, pitch late and leave early in the morning, it’s unlikely to cause a fuss. Just be sure to leave no trace.
Can I do the Latrigg walk if I’m afraid of heights?
Yes, the Latrigg walk is one of the best scenic hikes to do if you are afraid of heights. There are no sheer edges or drops and no parts that require any scrambling. You can see some of the best views in the Lake District without the dreaded fear!
Is the Latrigg walk dog-friendly?
Yes, absolutely. The Latrigg walk and viewpoint are perfect for dogs! The trail is flat and safe enough for even small dogs.
Do I need hiking boots for the Latrigg walk?
No, you do not need hiking boots for the Latrigg walk. If you are parking in the Underdskiddaw car park, it’s a short 20-25 minute walk to the viewpoint, with no scrambling or rock climbing. The terrain is flat and mostly gravel or grass.
You can hike Latrigg in regular sports trainers or any comfortable shoes you prefer.
Fancy seeing the Lake District caves that are over 200 years old? The Rydal Caves are a great, easy walk in the Lake District, and can either be added onto a Rydal, Ambleside or Loughrigg Fell walk. Or, head there in the morning and have a picnic! Need more info? Check out my detailed Rydal Caves travel guide here.
What to pack for the Latrigg walk
As Latrigg is a fairly easy walk, you don’t have to worry too much about packing anything in particular. Just your regular day bag and a reusable water bottle!
However, if you’re likely to walk off the track and explore more of the area, I recommend packing:
- A lightweight waterproof jacket
- Hiking boots (that won’t slip) – these are my favourites for any kind of weather
- An umbrella
- A waterproof day bag
- A waterproof phone case (which can also be used for wild swimming when it’s sunnier)
- A portable charger
- Lots of layers
- A GoPro for waterproof camera footage
- A waterproof backpack cover
- A chilly bottle to keep your water at a drinkable temperature
- A Dry Robe, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water (even if it’s raining!)
- As well as using bug spray, we have midge-repellent wristbands.
Related post: What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide
Latrigg walk: FAQs
1) How long to climb Latrigg from Keswick?
If you are starting the Latrigg walk from Keswick, it will take around 2-2.5 hours. The distance is around 3.5 km each way, and there is a gradual incline on the way there.
2) How long does it take to climb Latrigg from the car park?
If you choose to do the circular walk to the Latrigg viewpoint and back to the car park, it is around a 40-50 minute walk and 2km in distance.
There are lots of resting stops and benches en route, and you’ll be greeted with some of the best views in the Lake District.
3) What is the easiest Wainwright?
Latrigg is known as one of the easiest Wainwrights in the Lake District. For a short 20-25 minute walk from the car park, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the Lake District.
5) What is the most beautiful hike in the Lake District?
There are a number of beautiful hikes in the Lake District, but Latrigg is one of the most beautiful easy hikes. Just a short 15-minute walk from the car park, the Latrigg viewpoint has some of the most beautiful views in the entire National Park.
6) When is the best time to visit the Lake District?
You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year; as it’s an ‘any kind of weather’ destination in the UK. However, if you want the cheapest accommodation prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring). During the winter months (November – February), you can expect layers of snow to be covering the trails and paths.
Summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive months to visit the Lake District, as well as being the busiest. But of course, it’s when you’ll get the best weather, with dry, hot and sunny days.
➡ Visiting the Lake District in winter? Check out this detailed guide on what to do during the colder months.
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Latrigg walk: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Latrigg walk in the Lake District. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Lake District content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
🇬🇧 Other Lake District posts you might like:
- Coniston Water Swimming: BEST Swim Spots
- Castlerigg Stone Circle Walk: Routes, Tips & Guide!
- Rydal Caves: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
