Four hikers walking along a narrow trail across a green mountain hillside beneath a cloudy sky.

Discover Walks in Borrowdale

Borrowdale walks offer something for almost every kind of walker, whether you prefer gentle riverside paths or want to attempt some of the Lake District’s best-known summits. Staying at The Royal Oak in Rosthwaite puts woodland walks, fell walks and long-distance routes within easy reach, with many walks from the hotel door. After a day walking in Borrowdale, our dedicated coat and boot drying room means wet kit can be left ready for tomorrow’s adventure.

Plan Your Stay Kit List

Three hikers with backpacks walking along a country lane towards a white cottage beneath lush green hills.

Easy Walks

Not every day needs to mean a mountain summit. Some of the best easy walks in Borrowdale follow riverside paths, woodland and lower-level footpaths around Rosthwaite and Derwentwater. Try a River Derwent walk, the low-level Rosthwaite to Grange walk, Bowder Stone or shorter Derwentwater routes. These short walks are ideal for families, relaxed days and visitors looking for gentler terrain.

Explore

Three hikers eating sandwiches on a wooden bench overlooking rolling hills

Packed Lunches for Guests

Whether you’re heading out for a short scenic walk or spending the whole day on the fells, having food with you makes route planning easier. Guests staying at The Royal Oak can order a packed lunch for £12 per person, ready to take on their walk. It is particularly useful for longer Borrowdale walking routes where places to eat may be limited once you leave the villages behind.

Small terrier dog sitting in an open wooden pub window

Dog Friendly Stays

Many Borrowdale walking routes can be enjoyed with a dog, from riverside and woodland walks to longer days on the fells. The Royal Oak has dog-friendly rooms, making it easier to enjoy a walking break together.

Get in touch before booking if you'd like to book a dog-friendly room.

Grassy mountain path overlooking green hills beneath a bright blue sky with scattered clouds

Fell Walking

Borrowdale sits beneath some of the finest Wainwright routes and fell walking country in the Lake District. Options include the Castle Crag walk, Glaramara walk and Scafell Pike from Seathwaite, alongside routes around Eagle Crag, Sergeant’s Crag and Great Crag. Longer Seathwaite walks and Honister Pass walks open up even more possibilities for experienced walkers looking for challenging terrain and higher elevation.

Explore

Four hikers with backpacks walking downhill across a grassy, bracken-covered hillside.

Hidden Gem Walks

Some of the most rewarding walks from Rosthwaite lead away from the busiest Lake District walking routes. Follow paths towards Dock Tarn, explore Galleny Force and Fairy Glen, walk beside Langstrath Beck to Black Moss Pot or discover Millican Dalton’s Cave. The Rosthwaite to Watendlath route also combines bridleways, woodland, tarns and open fell for a quieter side of the valley.

Explore

Walker with two dogs overlooking Derwentwater from Catbells in the Lake District

Iconic Walks

Borrowdale also puts many classic Lake District walks within easy reach. Castle Crag, Cat Bells, Bowder Stone, Lodore Falls, Watendlath and Derwentwater each offer a different way to experience the landscape. From a famous Cat Bells walk to a lower-level Derwentwater walk, these scenic walks are ideal for Lake District visitors looking to experience the places that have made the area so well loved.

Explore

Cosy hotel suite sitting area with a beige sofa, cushions, tea tray and built-in wardrobe.

Rooms Made for Walkers

The Royal Oak offers walking accommodation in Rosthwaite for guests exploring everything from Borrowdale circular walks to long-distance trails. Our comfortable ensuite bedrooms provide somewhere to recharge, while the drying room takes care of walking boots and wet kit. Rosthwaite is also an overnight stop on the Inn Way, while the Cumbria Way and Coast to Coast route bring long-distance walkers through Borrowdale.
Whether you’re planning a weekend of Wainwright walks or a longer walking holiday, our location makes The Royal Oak a natural walkers’ hotel in the heart of the valley.

View our rooms

FAQs

What are the best walks in Borrowdale? Can I walk directly from The Royal Oak? Are there any circular walks from Rosthwaite? Do I need a map for Borrowdale walks? Where can I find walks near Derwentwater? Where can I find walking safety advice?