About the English Lakes

                                                                                         

The area called 'The Lakes' is in the north west of England in Cumbria. The Lakes is the largest National Park in the country (occupying 885 sq. miles) and is thought of as one of the most beautiful areas and the UK's number one destination for walking and scrambling.

Hills or mountains in the 'Lakeland' are known by the local name of Fells. The Lakes's Fells are England's only real mountain range and though not high by world standards (ie not being much over 3 thousand f.t or 1 thousand mtrs) they nonetheless give a high number of challenging and rewarding hikes. All can be walked (as opposed to "climbed" without equipment) and due to the ancient tradition of hiking for pleasure there is an exceptional network of paths. In addition there is free access to almost all routes above the "intake wall" (the last wall as you walk out of the valley).

According to the most famous Lakes author (A. Wainwright) there are two hundred and fourteen Peaks, some of which offer many routes, plus many chances to climb between the mountains.

The tallest hill is Scafell Pike. This "tallest" designation means to lots of hikers, and holidaymakers who want to experience a high lakes hill might want to choose another. Some of the slightly smaller peaks are in fact much more challenging to hike while also providing better views. Skiddaw and Kentmere are popular choices. Less well-known fells include Grisedale Pike, Fairfield, and Bowfell.

The most important attraction is the numerous lakes and hills dug out by glacial erosion and providing amazing and unique scenery though mainly developed by early humans, mainly by farming. It's the previous home of cultural luminaries such as William Wordsworth and Mr John Ruskin, and the walking paths and fells are famously written about by Alfred Wainwright.

Originally settled around the Stone Age and conquered by the Romans the lake district was massively influenced by the Norse in the occupation around 900A.D. The Norsemen cleared the forests to make charcoal to model lead in Glenridding and copper in Borrowdale Valley and near Coniston. The Settlers introduced the Herdwick sheep to the fells

The lakes is popular with both national and international tourists and this can cause delays at busy periods at the most popular locations.

About the author:
The Lake District Information Portal
http://www.thelakedistrict.info

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