In 1972 Wainwright devised the west–east Coast to Coast Walk, as an alternative to the north–south Pennine Way. The Coast to Coast, he declares in his guidebook, which follows the same format as the Pennine Way Companion, "puts the Pennine Way to shame" for scenic beauty, variety and interest. [14] The 190-mile (310-kilometre) route traverses the north of England from St. Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, passing through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors national parks. If you’re starting out, though, you perhaps don’t want to be reaching for the highest heights right away. Wainwrights such as England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and the infamous ridge of Helvellyn can be left for another day. For now, why not warm up and ease yourself into it with these easy Wainwright walks? They’re the perfect Lake District walks for beginners! Research from the University of Cambridge has revealed that walking at least 20 minutes a day has many proven health benefits and should be an important part of our daily life. Karen and Dan have been running, walking and orienteering in the Lake District fells for over three decades now. "It's been part of my whole life," says Dan. We caught up with the Parkers to ask for five of their favourite Wainwrights routes. Wainwright One: Gowbarrow Fell (481m) Despite being a low fell, surrounding views mean Gowbarrow can feel quite mountainous. Photo: Getty

Gowbarrow Fell is one of the 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District. To count as a Wainwright, the fell must be included in Alfred Wainwright's monumental seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. This route to Gowbarrow Fell is from Aira Force, and is one of the most popular ways to visit the fell. Alfred Wainwright on Gowbarrow Fell If you’re looking for more of a challenge, then Yewbarrow and Middle Dodd are where you’ll want to head. Although they are not the highest at 628m and 654m respectively, the ascents are steep making them a real physical challenge. The east-west route along Blencathra is also a gentle option, taking you along the main ridge. 2. Castle Crag

10. Coniston Fells: The Old Man of Coniston

Using these you can easily see where each walk goes and which Wainwright each walk 'bags' so you can chart your progress and plan your next walk with ease. Wainwright, A (1966). A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 7: The Western Fells. London: Frances Lincoln. ISBN 0-7112-2460-9. Wainwright, A (1957). A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 2: The Far Eastern Fells. London: Frances Lincoln. ISBN 0-7112-2455-2. Great Mell Fell is one of the smallest of the 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District. It is an outlier in many respects, along with its twin Little Mell Fell. In fact, if Great Mell Fell wasn’t included in Wainwright’s guide to the Lakeland Fells, it may not be climbed so often at all.

The second series, broadcast in 2007, included Catbells, Crinkle Crags, Helm Crag, Helvellyn from Patterdale, High Street from Mardale and Pillar. A six-part series entitled Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast was broadcast on BBC Four in April and May 2009 and on BBC2 from 21 July 2009, [16] [17] and presented by Julia Bradbury. Walk the Wainwrights in 59 Walks - The huge cairn on Bleaberry Fell in the Lake District Central Fells Long Distance Walkers Association – Hill Walkers Register". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016 . Retrieved 7 March 2008. These ‘Wainwrights’ have now become the definitive list for anyone wanting to visit the summits of all the fells in the Lake District,” writes endurance athlete Steve Birkinshaw, who ran all of the Wainwrights in 2014, in the introduction to ' Peak Bagging: Wainwrights'. The new guidebook, written by Karen and Dan Parker (sister and brother-in-law of Steve) and published by Vertebrate Publishing is a complete guide to climbing all 214 of Wainwright’s Lake District fells in the most efficient way - with 45 routes included in the book.Wainwrights On The Air (WOTA for short) is an adventure radio programme for amateur radio enthusiasts A more challenging route goes from Patterdale going along the lower part of Link Cove and then surmounting Greenhow End and The Step. Worth noting: this is definitely more of a climb than a walk! 6. Helm Crag

Part of the Southern Fells, Glaramara is a tranquil hill despite being in the midst of some of the Lake District’s busiest hotspots such as Ullswater and Borrowdale. As part of Car-Free Cumbria day 2021, we've got a couple of great walks for you following in the footsteps of the great walker Alfred Wainwright, who was well known for his guides to the Lakeland fells, but did you know that he also travelled mainly by public transport whilst compiling them?

Orrest Head holds a particularly special place in the repertoire of any Wainwright Bagger. This is the spot where the great man himself is said to have first fallen in love with the area. It also happens to be one of the easiest mountains to climb in the Lake District! We hope this gives you lots of ideas for your next family Lake District adventure. Don't forget to book a perfect holiday cottage for your stay and whilst you’re here, you might also be interested in reading the following: We usually take the route straight from our house,” says Dan. “That's from the east side; the Askham/Bampton side. There are several ridges that lead up. The central ridge is nice and gentle and it takes you to the top. There's a trig point at the top, but actually the trig point wasn't there when Wainwright wrote his books, so the Wainwright summit is about 50 metres south of there. Then to come down we would normally go north to Bonscale Pike. That's another interesting hill. There are some cairns, and towers, and good views out over Ullswater.” Wainwright Four: Fairfield (873m) Always a welcome sight; sunshine breaking through the clouds and shining on the fells of the Lake District. Photo: Getty

High Street, so-called for the Roman Road that once traversed the summit, is a popular choice among walkers. It’s long, flat and great for a brisk march, unencumbered by obstacles. We also have available a series of Seven Area Maps showing the locations of all 214 Wainwright fells with an outline of the 59 Walk the Wainwrights walks. Complete the Wainwright's in 36 Walks Thirty-six circular walks covering all the peaks in Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. Wainwright, A (1962). A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 5: The Northern Fells. London: Frances Lincoln. ISBN 0-7112-2458-7. You start the walk by skirting alongside Ullswater with fantastic views over the lake. The ascent is steady to begin with, as you make your way up to a viewing point, where you can take in almost the entirety of the 7-mile long Ullswater Lake.It is a fell – its name says so – but it is not the stuff of which true fells are made. It rises on the verge of Lakeland but its characteristics are alien to Lakeland. It stands in isolation, not in the company of others. There is good in all, however, and its heathery top is a fine place for viewing the merits of other fells." Runner sets a new record summiting all 214 Wainwrights". ITV News. 20 June 2019 . Retrieved 20 June 2019. The hardest walk in this collection is 12½ miles long and you can complete them all without any special equipment or knowledge. All you need is some good quality walking boots and clothing, food and water, accurate & up-to-date route instructions and the desire and stamina to do something truly memorable.