With nearly 16 million visitors descending on the Lake District National Park each year, this iconic wilderness is one of England’s most popular destinations. However, the Lake District’s popularity comes at a cost. Even during quieter periods, the region’s roads suffer from heavy congestion that can leave streets gridlocked and impassable.
For those looking to cut down on traffic, Stagecoach’s 555 bus is an ideal way to explore the Lake District without a car. Transporting visitors from Windermere to Keswick, the 555 route offers ample opportunity to sample some of the best hikes in Lakeland.
From conquering the mighty Helvellyn to taking a gentle stroll around picturesque Rydal Water, here are eight of the best Lake District walks using the 555 bus.
How to catch the 555 bus in the Lake District
The 555 bus runs from Kendal to Keswick every hour, with regular stops including Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere.
The 555 route is supplemented by the 599 service. The 599 is an open-top tourist bus that runs from Bowness to Grasmere, departing every twenty minutes during peak season.
Ticket prices on the 555 bus
As of January 2023, a return ticket will set you back £12.40. It is often better value to buy a North West Explorer ticket for £12.50, which offers unlimited journeys within the North West region.
If you are travelling before the end of December 2024, make sure to take advantage of the UK government’s £2 fare cap on single journeys. If we want to encourage more visitors to leave their cars at home, £2 is a reasonable, realistic price.
The cap has officially been extended to December 2024, allowing plenty of time to take advantage of the buses in the Lake District.
How to buy a ticket for the 555 bus
The easiest way to buy a ticket for the 555 bus is to pay the driver. Tickets can be purchased onboard using cash or card.
Stagecoach also offers an excellent app to buy tickets and track the progress of buses in real-time. The tracking feature is particularly useful when approaching the end of your walk and deciding whether to increase your pace to catch the next service.
Eight of the best Lake District walks from the 555 bus
With your route planned and your ticket bought, you are all set for your car-free hike. Here are our eight favourite walks in the Lake District using the 555 bus.
1. Easedale Tarn from Grasmere
Best for: A family walk to a dramatic lake
Distance: 7.5km
Difficulty: Easy
Nestled under the rugged peaks of Tarn Crag and High Raise, the walk to Easedale Tarn from Grasmere is a classic. A well-trodden trail winds through the village before reaching open fields – keep an eye out for the iconic Herdwick sheep. Eventually, the path tracks up alongside streams and waterfalls before the ice-cold waters of Easedale Tarn appear in the distance.
The world is your oyster once you reach the tarn. Those keen for a big day out in the hills can extend their hike, heading into the hills to conquer your pick of the nearby Wainwrights. If Easedale Tarn is your final destination, you may decide to simply bag a spot next to the lake and take in the immense views.
How to do it from the 555: Alight at the bus stop in central Grasmere. Follow a small track heading west out of the village and follow the signs for Easedale Tarn. For a basic map of the route from the bus stop in Grasmere, click here.
2. Fairfield Horseshoe
Best for: An epic circular walk on the Lake District fells
Distance: 16.5km
Difficulty: Hard
The Fairfield Horseshoe is a classic Lake District walk. Popular among Wainwright-baggers, this circular route offers the opportunity to bag eight of the 214 famous fells whilst taking in sublime views of Windermere, Helvellyn and beyond.
Your reward for battling through a steep, sweat-inducing ascent is a relatively flat stroll around the high trails of Fairfield. The route can be boggy in places, so sensible footwear is a must.
Be warned: Fairfield is notorious for challenging conditions, with thick fog frequently making navigation difficult.
How to do it from the 555 bus: To complete the Fairfield Horseshoe on a clockwise route, alight at the bus stop for Rydal Hall before beginning your ascent. At the end of your walk, descend to Ambleside and catch the bus from outside the University of Cumbria buildings. For a basic map of the route, click here.
3. Helvellyn
Best for: Ticking off a famous Lake District summit
Distance: 9km
Difficulty: Hard
Helvellyn, which stands at 950 metres, is the third tallest peak in the Lake District and attracts over 250,000 hikers each year. Whilst there are several classic routes up to the windswept summit plateau – including the infamous Striding Edge ridge – the best option from the 555 is to summit via the paths from Swirls Car Park or The King’s Head Inn.
Track through thick bracken before dramatic cliffs and crags loom above you. Eventually, a zig-zag path up loose scree will transport you to the pleasantly flat summit, revealing unbeatable views across Lakeland.
How to do it from the 555 bus: Alight at either Swirls Car Park or The King’s Head Inn and follow the path towards the summit. Click here for a basic map of the route.
4. Helm Crag
Best for: Amazing rock formations
Distance: 5.5km
Difficulty: Medium
Crowned by a jagged rock formation fondly nicknamed the Howitzer, Helm Crag is one of the most recognisable peaks in the Lake District.
Easy to spot from the A591 road that links Grasmere and Keswick, the summit of Helm Crag is just a 2.7-kilometre walk from the nearest bus stop and makes for a delightful car-free walk.
How to do it from the 555 bus: Jump off the 555 in the centre of Grasmere before following the path towards Easedale Tarn. At the end of Easedale Road, head right through the woods and follow the signs to Helm Crag. Click here for a simple map of the route.
5. Skiddaw
Best for: Tackling a Lake District classic
Distance: 17.5km
Difficulty: Hard
For anyone travelling the entire length of the 555 route from Windermere, the famous town of Keswick is the final stop. There is a myriad of popular walks in the area, but perhaps none are quite as iconic as Skiddaw.
At 931 metres, Skiddaw is one of Lakeland’s giants. Whilst the region’s fourth-highest peak may lack the ridge walks of Helvellyn or the clout of Scafell Pike, its windswept summit promises rich rewards.
With sublime, unobstructed views across the northern Lake District, an ascent of Skiddaw is one of the best car-free hikes around.
How to do it from the 555 bus: Alight in the centre of Keswick next to the well-stocked Booths supermarket. Head north out of town, passing the Derwent Pencil Museum.
Follow the wonderfully named Spoonygreen Lane to Underskiddaw, where crowds will be enjoying the views towards Derwentwater. Follow the well-trodden path to the summit before descending via the same path.
Alternatively, you can complete a circular walk by descending to the small village of Millbeck. Click here for a basic map of the basic ‘there-and-back’ route.
Read next: Staying in a shepherd’s hut in Dumfries and Galloway
6. Loughrigg Fell
Best for: Stunning views of the Lake District
Distance: 5km
Difficulty: Medium
At just 335 metres, Loughrigg Fell is among the smallest of the Wainwrights. However, what this diminutive summit lacks in height, it more than makes up for in views.
Once you make the short ascent from the picture-perfect shores of Rydal Water, great swathes of Lakeland are visible all around. Windermere stretches out to the south, whilst Grasmere, the Fairfield Horseshoe and the Langdale Pikes are easy to spot on a clear day.
Be warned – Loughrigg Fell’s central position, low height and easy access make it a very popular walk. Sunrise is the best time to enjoy this pint-sized peak. The reward for your early wake-up will be an uncrowded route and sublime golden hour lighting – if the weather is behaving.
How to do it from the 555 bus: Loughrigg Fell is easily accessible from the 555 bus. Alight at White Moss Car Park before crossing the bridge over the River Rothay. Track through the woodland trail before turning right and following the route along the Loughrigg Terrace, enjoying the brilliant views of Grasmere as you go.
A sharp left turn and a steep ascent will take you to the top of Loughrigg Fell. For a simple map of the route, click here.
Read next: Hiking Birks and Arnison Crag for an amazing view of Ullswater.
7. Rydal Water and Rydal Cave
Best for: A tranquil lakeside walk
Distance: 3km
Difficulty: Easy
Boasting rustic boathouses and charming islands, Rydal Water is one of the Lake District’s most beguiling spots.
With the jagged slopes of Loughrigg Fell looming above the southern shores, and the dramatic bulk of Fairfield on the opposite side, Rydal Water sits in an immense bowl, surrounded by mountains large and small.
A favourite landmark on the trails around Rydal Water is Rydal Cave, an impressive cavern carved into the steep slopes of Loughrigg Fell. A series of endearing stepping stones leads visitors across the shallow waters and into the cave, where adults and children alike can’t help but test out the acoustics.
How to do it from the 555 bus: Alight at either White Moss Car Park or Rydal Lodge. Follow the well-paved path towards Rydal Water, where you can choose to take the waterside path or cut up to visit Rydal Cave. For a basic map of the walk from the two bus stops, click here.
Read next: Five brilliant sunrise spots in Seahouses on the Northumberland coast.
8. Red Screes
Best for: An adventurous walk without the crowds
Distance: 13.5km
Difficulty: Medium
Whilst Red Screes is typically climbed via a short but steep path from the Kirkstone Pass Car Park, the 555’s route puts this classic summit well within your grasp.
This route follows a less frantic approach as you track up the scenic Scandale valley before making a steep ascent to the summit of Red Screes, which stands at 776 metres. The descent tracks gently along the southern ridge before dropping back down to Ambleside. A detour to Stock Gyhll Force, one of the area’s most popular waterfalls, is a worthwhile addition on a pleasant day.
How to do it from the 555 bus: Alight in the centre of Ambleside, which becomes a haven for hikers during the busy summer months. Leave the crowds behind and follow Sweden Bridge Lane into Scandale, hiking the length of the valley floor.
Eventually, you will cut up to the east to reach the summit of Red Screes, before descending back to Ambleside. Click here for a basic map of the route.
Read next: Exploring the wilderness of Knoydart in Scotland
No matter whether you are looking for a casual stroll or an adventure in the mountains, the Lake District has plenty of options for those travelling by bus. Our hope is that, in time, these bus routes can expand and offer more opportunities for car-free walks throughout Lakeland.