The BEST Lake District walks for toddlers and pre-schoolers (ages 1-4)

Details of Lake District toddler walks and pre-schooler walks that are short, relatively flat, and incorporate lots of variety to keep little ones engaged. And most importantly, all these walks have been tested out by a toddler and pre-schooler.

The Lake District Kids team are lacing up their walking boots and exploring the National Park to bring you this guide to the very best toddler walks in the region. Below are the walks the team have written up so far, but bookmark this page as lots more are coming!

We recommend getting your toddler hiking as soon as they are stable on their feet. This will require bucket loads of patience from the parents as toddlers rarely walk in a straight line and like to stop to watch every bug en route, but the sooner you get them used to hiking, the sooner you’ll be able to take on those longer hikes as a family.

Our top tip for hiking with very little ones (click here to read all our tips) is selecting the right walk. Whilst some of the flatter, easier trails in the Lake District may seem like good options, they’re not always the most engaging for toddlers. The Keswick Railway Path, for example, is relatively flat but can be a little monotonous, with limited opportunities for climbing and exploring.

So what are the best toddler and pre-schooler walks in the Lake District? Well, below we’ve compiled our best Lake District family walks that are:

• very short (3km or less)
• relatively flat
• have no big drops off edges
• have lots of variety (woodland, rocks to climb, puddles, streams and stiles) to keep your toddler engaged.

We advise that you don’t take the pram or carrier on these walks. If your little one sees the carrier or pram, they’ll just want to go in it! Remove the temptation, and if they really do get tired and cranky towards the end of the walk, you can always resort to carrying them on your shoulders (if you’re able to; if not, have the carrier hidden away but at the ready). Save the pram or buggy for a Lake District pram-friendly walk another day.

So parents, grab the snacks, wrap up warm, and bring bucket loads of patience for these Lake District walks for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Start your day early, and we can almost guarantee a good, long nap after these (you’re welcome).

Locations of our recommended pre-schooler and toddler walks in the Lake District

1. Bowness-on-Windermere walk (circular, 2.1km)

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This easy walk in Bowness-on-Windermere is perfect for families looking for a gentle lakeside stroll. The route follows flat paths along the shore of Lake Windermere to Cockshott Point and Ferry Nab, with plenty of opportunities for little ones to play along the way.

Expect beautiful lake views, mini beaches for paddling, logs and rocks to climb on, and the chance to watch boats arriving at Ferry Nab, where the passenger ferry crosses to Far Sawrey. It’s a short, relaxed walk that’s ideal for toddlers and a pushchair / buggy (although we’re leaving that at home, right?).

2. Aira Force walk (circular, 2.2km)

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Aira Force is one of the Lake District’s most iconic waterfalls, offering a beautiful short walk with big rewards for very little effort. Little ones will love navigating the woodland trail, with small steps, bridges and plenty of tree roots to clamber over along the way.

Located just minutes from the shores of Ullswater, the impressive 20-metre waterfall showcases the raw power of nature as it tumbles through ancient woodland. The site was made accessible by the Victorians, who created the well-maintained paths, stone bridges and viewing platforms that visitors still enjoy today. Beyond the waterfall itself, the area also houses an arboretum containing ‘the UK’s girthiest tree’, and is one of the few places in England where red squirrels still live in the wild – so keep your eyes peeled!

3. Fell Foot walk (circular, 2.7km)

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If you’re looking for a gentle toddler walk in the Lake District, this Fell Foot circular walk is hard to beat. Set within the beautiful National Trust park at the southern tip of Lake Windermere, the route is mostly flat and easy to follow, making it ideal for little legs.

The walk has everything young children love: pebbly lakeshore beaches for throwing stones, wide grassy spaces to run around, a lovely little playground, and plenty of opportunities for a paddle on warm days. Finish with a stop at the Boathouse Café or treat the kids to an ice cream overlooking the lake. This is a brilliant morning or afternoon outing.

4. High Dam Tarn walk (circular, 2.8km)

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Tucked away just a stone’s throw from the foot of Lake Windermere, near the village of Finsthwaite, lies the enchanting High Dam Tarn. Built in the early 1800s to power the nearby Stott Park Bobbin Mill, the reservoir has since naturalised into one of the most idyllic and serene walking destinations in the region. The tarn’s tranquil waters are bordered by mixed woodlands of oak, birch, and towering Scots pine.

High Dam is a good option for a short family walk, with woodland trails around the reservoir and plenty of places to stop for a picnic. It’s also generally quieter than some of the Lake District’s better-known walking spots.

5. Tarn Hows walk (circular, 3km)

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With its lush woodland, dramatic views over the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Fells, and pebble beaches edging calm water, it’s easy to see why Tarn Hows is one of the best walks in the Lake District. But despite its natural beauty, Tarn Hows is actually man-made, created in the 1860s when three smaller tarns were joined together as part of the Monk Coniston Estate, with many of the surrounding trees planted at the same time.

Previously owned by Beatrix Potter and now cared for by the National Trust, this easy circular route around Tarn Hows follows a well-maintained clockwise path around the tarn, where iconic Herdwick sheep graze alongside incredibly tame Belted Galloway cattle that can often be found cooling off in the water on warm days. Finish with an ice cream from Joey’s Café back at the car park, or grab a coffee to enjoy as you stroll.

This is a popular walk for families with a pram, although works very well for toddlers too.