Do dogs have to be on a lead on the Lake District fells?

On open access land, yes, between 1 March and 31 July, on a lead no longer than two metres, to protect ground-nesting birds. Outside those dates the rule still applies at all times around livestock, and sheep graze most of the fells.

What should I do if cattle chase me and my dog?

Let the dog off the lead. The Countryside Code says to let your dog go if you feel threatened by livestock and not to risk getting hurt protecting it.

Which Wainwrights have stiles that are hard for dogs?

Castle Crag has ladder stiles with narrow rungs on the path from Borrowdale. Some step stiles on Broom Fell have no way through for dogs, Illgill Head has two that are awkward, and the stile on the way from Great Calva to Knott has no dog gate. Nab Scar's ladder stile has a small tunnel beside it for dogs.

Can a dog walk all 214 Wainwrights?

Yes. Carolyn Hastings from Kendal finished all 214 on Maiden Moor with her dogs Jack and Skye. Stick to walkers' routes rather than scrambles, and plan around the ladder stiles on fells like Castle Crag.

Dog-friendly Wainwrights: fells, leads and livestock

Most Wainwrights are dog-friendly: they have a walkers' route with no scrambling, and a fit dog will enjoy them as much as you do. The best to start with are low grassy fells with water nearby and no awkward stiles, such as Loughrigg Fell, High Rigg, Binsey and Sale Fell. The things that catch dog owners out are the lead rules, livestock, ladder stiles and hot days.

How we picked

This list is the Dog Friendly collection in the Upfell app. A fell is on it when its usual route has no scrambling and no path along a cliff edge. We checked every fell against its route write-up and took four off. Fleetwith Pike's path runs close to cliffs. The Nab sits in the Martindale red deer forest, where the Dalemain Estate asks walkers to keep away from the herd and may restrict access from September to February. Great Borne and Kirk Fell also came off.

A few fells stay on with a warning, and we flag them below. Some others are on the list for their walkers' route only, so read the route before you pick a line: Crinkle Crags has the Bad Step, and Walk Lakes recommends its bypass for anyone with a dog.

Every Dog Friendly Wainwright, lowest first

Every Dog Friendly Wainwright, lowest first
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
214	Castle CragNorth Western Fells	290 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
213	Holme FellSouthern Fells	317 m	Southern Fells	Easy
212	Black FellSouthern Fells	323 m	Southern Fells	Easy
211	Loughrigg FellCentral Fells	335 m	Central Fells	Moderate
210	Rannerdale KnottsNorth Western Fells	355 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
209	High RiggCentral Fells	357 m	Central Fells	Moderate
208	Sale FellNorth Western Fells	359 m	North Western Fells	Easy
207	Troutbeck TongueFar Eastern Fells	364 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
206	LatriggNorthern Fells	368 m	Northern Fells	Easy
205	Ling FellNorth Western Fells	373 m	North Western Fells	Easy
204	Walla CragCentral Fells	379 m	Central Fells	Easy
203	Hallin FellFar Eastern Fells	388 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
202	Silver HowCentral Fells	395 m	Central Fells	Moderate
200	FellbarrowWestern Fells	416 m	Western Fells	Easy
199	Grange Fell (Brund Fell)Central Fells	417 m	Central Fells	Easy
198	Gibson KnottCentral Fells	420 m	Central Fells	Easy
=196	BuckbarrowWestern Fells	423 m	Western Fells	Moderate
=196	Low FellWestern Fells	423 m	Western Fells	Easy
195	Steel Knotts (Pikeawassa)Far Eastern Fells	432 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
194	Arnison CragEastern Fells	433 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
193	Glenridding DoddEastern Fells	442 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
192	BinseyNorthern Fells	447 m	Northern Fells	Easy
191	Great CragCentral Fells	449 m	Central Fells	Moderate
190	Nab ScarEastern Fells	450 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
189	CatbellsNorth Western Fells	451 m	North Western Fells	Easy
188	GraystonesNorth Western Fells	452 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
187	BarrowNorth Western Fells	455 m	North Western Fells	Easy
186	Raven CragCentral Fells	461 m	Central Fells	Moderate
185	BarfNorth Western Fells	469 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
184	Lingmoor FellSouthern Fells	470 m	Southern Fells	Easy
=182	Armboth FellCentral Fells	475 m	Central Fells	Moderate
=182	Burnbank FellWestern Fells	475 m	Western Fells	Easy
181	Gowbarrow FellEastern Fells	481 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
=179	Longlands FellNorthern Fells	483 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=179	Sour HowesFar Eastern Fells	483 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
178	Wansfell (Baystones)Far Eastern Fells	487 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
177	GrikeWestern Fells	488 m	Western Fells	Moderate
175	DoddNorthern Fells	502 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
174	Stone ArthurEastern Fells	504 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
173	Little Mell FellEastern Fells	505 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
172	Low PikeEastern Fells	508 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
=170	Beda Fell (Beda Head)Far Eastern Fells	509 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=170	Hen CombWestern Fells	509 m	Western Fells	Easy
169	Broom FellNorth Western Fells	511 m	North Western Fells	Easy
168	Mellbreak (south top)Western Fells	512 m	Western Fells	Moderate
167	High ToveCentral Fells	515 m	Central Fells	Moderate
166	SallowsFar Eastern Fells	516 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
165	Whinlatter (Brown How)North Western Fells	517 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
164	High Hartsop DoddEastern Fells	519 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
163	Souther FellNorthern Fells	522 m	Northern Fells	Easy
162	Crag FellWestern Fells	523 m	Western Fells	Moderate
161	Bonscale PikeFar Eastern Fells	524 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=158	Gavel FellWestern Fells	526 m	Western Fells	Easy
=158	Great CockupNorthern Fells	526 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
157	Arthur's PikeFar Eastern Fells	533 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=154	Calf CragCentral Fells	537 m	Central Fells	Moderate
=154	Great Mell FellEastern Fells	537 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
=154	Whin RiggSouthern Fells	537 m	Southern Fells	Easy
153	Lank RiggWestern Fells	541 m	Western Fells	Moderate
152	Hard KnottSouthern Fells	549 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
151	Meal FellNorthern Fells	550 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=149	Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)Southern Fells	551 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=149	Tarn Crag [Easedale]Central Fells	551 m	Central Fells	Moderate
148	Lord's SeatNorth Western Fells	552 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
147	Steel FellCentral Fells	553 m	Central Fells	Easy
=145	Blea RiggCentral Fells	556 m	Central Fells	Moderate
=145	Knott RiggNorth Western Fells	556 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
144	Brock CragsFar Eastern Fells	561 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
142	OutersideNorth Western Fells	568 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
140	Blake FellWestern Fells	573 m	Western Fells	Moderate
139	Maiden MoorNorth Western Fells	575 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=136	Ard CragsNorth Western Fells	581 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=136	Hartsop above HowEastern Fells	581 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
135	Middle FellWestern Fells	582 m	Western Fells	Moderate
134	Brae FellNorthern Fells	586 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
133	Shipman KnottsFar Eastern Fells	587 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
132	Bleaberry FellCentral Fells	590 m	Central Fells	Moderate
131	HaystacksWestern Fells	597 m	Western Fells	Moderate
130	Seathwaite FellSouthern Fells	601 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
129	High SeatCentral Fells	608 m	Central Fells	Moderate
128	Illgill HeadSouthern Fells	609 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
127	Heron PikeEastern Fells	612 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
125	Hartsop DoddFar Eastern Fells	618 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
124	BirksEastern Fells	622 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
=121	Mungrisdale CommonNorthern Fells	633 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=121	Starling DoddWestern Fells	633 m	Western Fells	Easy
=119	Causey PikeNorth Western Fells	637 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=119	Little Hart CragEastern Fells	637 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
118	Grey CragFar Eastern Fells	638 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
117	Base BrownWestern Fells	646 m	Western Fells	Moderate
=114	Great Sca FellNorthern Fells	651 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=114	Rossett PikeSouthern Fells	651 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
113	High SpyNorth Western Fells	653 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=111	Harter Fell [Eskdale]Southern Fells	654 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=111	Middle DoddEastern Fells	654 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
110	Selside PikeFar Eastern Fells	655 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
109	High Pike [Scandale]Eastern Fells	656 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
108	Place FellFar Eastern Fells	657 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
107	High Pike [Caldbeck]Northern Fells	658 m	Northern Fells	Easy
106	Whiteless PikeNorth Western Fells	660 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
105	Carrock FellNorthern Fells	663 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
104	Tarn Crag [Longsleddale]Far Eastern Fells	664 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
103	Loadpot HillFar Eastern Fells	671 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
102	Scar CragsNorth Western Fells	672 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=100	BakestallNorthern Fells	673 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=100	Wether HillFar Eastern Fells	673 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
99	Sheffield PikeEastern Fells	676 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
98	Loft CragCentral Fells	682 m	Central Fells	Moderate
97	Bannerdale CragsNorthern Fells	683 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=95	Great CalvaNorthern Fells	690 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=95	Ullock PikeNorthern Fells	690 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
94	SeatallanWestern Fells	692 m	Western Fells	Moderate
93	Rest DoddFar Eastern Fells	696 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
=91	Caw FellWestern Fells	697 m	Western Fells	Moderate
=91	Grey KnottsWestern Fells	697 m	Western Fells	Moderate
90	Gray CragFar Eastern Fells	699 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
88	Cold PikeSouthern Fells	701 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
87	Bowscale FellNorthern Fells	702 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
85	YokeFar Eastern Fells	706 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
84	Whiteside (west top)North Western Fells	707 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
82	KnottNorthern Fells	710 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
81	BranstreeFar Eastern Fells	713 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=79	BrandrethWestern Fells	715 m	Western Fells	Moderate
=79	Lonscale FellNorthern Fells	715 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
77	FroswickFar Eastern Fells	720 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
76	Thunacar KnottCentral Fells	723 m	Central Fells	Easy
=74	Clough HeadEastern Fells	726 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
=74	UllscarfCentral Fells	726 m	Central Fells	Moderate
73	HindscarthNorth Western Fells	727 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
72	Kentmere PikeFar Eastern Fells	730 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
71	Long SideNorthern Fells	734 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
=69	Harrison StickleCentral Fells	736 m	Central Fells	Difficult
=69	Sergeant ManCentral Fells	736 m	Central Fells	Moderate
=67	RobinsonNorth Western Fells	737 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=67	Seat SandalEastern Fells	737 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
66	The KnottFar Eastern Fells	739 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
64	Carl SideNorthern Fells	746 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
63	Dale HeadNorth Western Fells	753 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
62	Red Pike [Buttermere]Western Fells	755 m	Western Fells	Difficult
61	Hart SideEastern Fells	756 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
60	Ill BellFar Eastern Fells	757 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
59	Mardale Ill BellFar Eastern Fells	760 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=57	High Raise [Langdale]Central Fells	762 m	Central Fells	Moderate
=57	Slight SideSouthern Fells	762 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=55	Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)Far Eastern Fells	763 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=55	WetherlamSouthern Fells	763 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
54	Great RiggEastern Fells	766 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
53	Hopegill HeadNorth Western Fells	770 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=51	Grey FriarSouthern Fells	773 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=51	SailNorth Western Fells	773 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
50	WandopeNorth Western Fells	774 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
49	Red ScreesEastern Fells	776 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
48	Dow CragSouthern Fells	778 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
47	Harter Fell [Mardale]Far Eastern Fells	779 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
46	Kidsty PikeFar Eastern Fells	780 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
45	GlaramaraSouthern Fells	783 m	Southern Fells	Difficult
44	Thornthwaite CragFar Eastern Fells	784 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=42	Allen CragsSouthern Fells	785 m	Southern Fells	Difficult
=42	Great CarrsSouthern Fells	785 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
41	Watson's DoddEastern Fells	789 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
40	Grisedale PikeNorth Western Fells	791 m	North Western Fells	Difficult
=38	Dove CragEastern Fells	792 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
=38	Rampsgill HeadFar Eastern Fells	792 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
37	Brim FellSouthern Fells	796 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
36	HaycockWestern Fells	797 m	Western Fells	Difficult
35	Green GableWestern Fells	801 m	Western Fells	Moderate
=31	Coniston Old ManSouthern Fells	802 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=31	High Raise [Martindale]Far Eastern Fells	802 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=31	Swirl HowSouthern Fells	802 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
29	LingmellSouthern Fells	807 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
27	Hart CragEastern Fells	822 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
26	Red Pike [Wasdale]Western Fells	826 m	Western Fells	Difficult
25	High StreetFar Eastern Fells	828 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
24	Eel Crag (Crag Hill)North Western Fells	839 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
=22	Saint Sunday CragEastern Fells	841 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
=22	Scoat FellWestern Fells	841 m	Western Fells	Difficult
21	Stybarrow DoddEastern Fells	844 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
20	GrasmoorNorth Western Fells	852 m	North Western Fells	Difficult
19	Great DoddEastern Fells	857 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
=17	Dollywaggon PikeEastern Fells	859 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
16	White SideEastern Fells	863 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
15	Skiddaw Little ManNorthern Fells	865 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
13	FairfieldEastern Fells	873 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
12	RaiseEastern Fells	883 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
11	Esk PikeSouthern Fells	885 m	Southern Fells	Difficult
9	Nethermost PikeEastern Fells	891 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
8	PillarWestern Fells	892 m	Western Fells	Difficult
7	Great GableWestern Fells	899 m	Western Fells	Difficult
5	Great EndSouthern Fells	910 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
4	SkiddawNorthern Fells	931 m	Northern Fells	Moderate
1	Scafell PikeSouthern Fells	978 m	Southern Fells	Difficult

The rules on leads

The fells and commons of the Lake District are largely open access land. On open access land you must keep your dog on a lead no more than 2 metres long between 1 March and 31 July, to protect ground-nesting birds, and at all times around livestock. The Lake District National Park Authority repeats the same rule every spring. Lapwings, curlews and skylarks nest on the ground at the same time as the ewes are lambing, and stress from a dog can make a pregnant ewe miscarry. The Park Authority says about 50 dog attacks on livestock are reported to Cumbria Constabulary each year.

The Countryside Code adds the rest. Keep your dog on a lead or in sight, and only let it off if you are confident it will come back. A farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock. Bag and take home the poo, because it can spread illness to people, livestock and wildlife.

The best first choices

Loughrigg Fell, 335 m. From White Moss on the A591, cross the River Rothay, walk Loughrigg Terrace above Grasmere and climb to the top. Plenty of water low down, and the 555 bus stops at White Moss.
High Rigg, 357 m. A knobbly ridge from Legburthwaite past High Rigg Tarn, about five miles as a loop.
Binsey, 447 m. Grass all the way from Binsey Lodge, 3 km there and back with 190 m of climbing.
Sale Fell, 359 m. Grass and gravel with almost no bog, 3.4 km with 215 m of climbing.
Dodd, 502 m. Forest roads and good paths from the Old Sawmill tearoom, about 7 km with 450 m of climbing.
Hallin Fell, 388 m. A wide grass path from St Peter's Church on Martindale Hause, a circuit of about 2 km.

Six easy fells for a first day with a dog

Stiles and walls

Most walls on popular routes have gates or step stiles, but not all of them have a dog gap.

Castle Crag: the path from Borrowdale crosses ladder stiles with narrow rungs. Paws Explore North found them hard even with a dog that climbs.
Nab Scar: the ladder stile on the zigzag above Rydal has a small tunnel beside it for dogs.
Broom Fell: some step stiles have no way through for dogs.
Illgill Head: two step stiles that are awkward for dogs.
Great Calva: fine on its own, but the stile on the way to Knott has no dog gate.

If your dog is big, practise lifting it before you need to, or carry a harness with a handle.

Cattle and deer

Give cattle a wide berth, and if they come at you, let the dog go. These fells have cattle on the usual route:

Arnison Crag and Birks: the National Trust grazes Aberdeen Angus cattle in Glenamara Park above Patterdale.
Little Mell Fell: cattle graze the lower slopes.
Yoke: cattle graze Garburn Pass and up to the summit all year.
Gavel Fell and Blake Fell: the track goes through High Nook Farm, where cattle may be in the fields.
Burnbank Fell: cattle graze the fields at Hudson Place in spring and summer.
Caw Fell: Galloway cattle graze the Ling Mell plantations on the Ennerdale approach.

Rest Dodd drops into the Martindale deer forest, home to the oldest native red deer herd in the country. The Dalemain Estate asks walkers to keep well away from the deer, especially at calving time, so keep dogs on a lead and stay on the ridge.

Water and heat

Streams and tarns are common low down but scarce on the ridges. Ling Fell has no water on the fell at all, and there is little between Seat and Red Pike on the Buttermere ridge. Carry water for the dog as well as yourself.

Dogs overheat faster than people, and the open fell has little shade. The RSPCA says to offer small amounts of water every 15 to 20 minutes and to watch for heavy panting, drooling, stumbling or vomiting. If you see them, stop, give water and find shade. On a hot day, go early, pick a short fell with a beck on the way up, or leave the fells for another day. Watch for ticks after walking through bracken.

By area

Every area has plenty. For a dog day from a base, the Keswick, Ambleside, Coniston, Pooley Bridge and Braithwaite guides list the fells near town. Bigger dog days include the Coledale Horseshoe and the Kentmere Horseshoe, though the Kentmere round crosses Yoke's cattle country.

The seven areas

Before you go

Pack water and a bowl, a lead you can shorten, poo bags, a towel and a small first aid kit for paws. Check the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) forecast for wind and heat on the tops. Avoid the scrambles in the scrambles guide, where a dog has no place. For how people have completed all 214 with their dogs, see doing the Wainwrights together. Walking with children too? Try the Wainwrights for kids or family-friendly Wainwrights.