Can you walk all the Wainwrights without a car?

Yes. It has been done, and one walker has written up a full round on the blog The 214 Wainwright fells: without a car. The far west is the hard part. No bus in the Stagecoach Lakes guide goes into Wasdale or Ennerdale, so those fells mean long walk-ins or a night in the valley.

Which Lake District buses run all year?

In the winter 2025 to 2026 timetable, the 78, 505, 516, 555, 599 and X4/X5 all ran, and the 508 ran between Penrith and Patterdale. The 77/77A Honister Rambler and the 509 are summer only, and so is the 508 over Kirkstone Pass.

How much does the bus cost in the Lake District?

In summer 2026 Stagecoach capped single fares at £3, and a North West Explorer ticket gave a day of unlimited travel for £12.50. English National Concessionary passes are free from 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends. Prices change, so check before you go.

What is the nearest railway station to the fells?

Windermere, at the end of the Lakes Line from Oxenholme Lake District, and Penrith North Lakes on the West Coast Main Line. Buses leave from outside both. Staveley, on the Lakes Line, is the nearest station to Kentmere.

Does a bus go over Kirkstone Pass?

The 508 runs from Penrith over Kirkstone Pass to Windermere in summer, calling at the Kirkstone Pass Inn. The pass was shut by a landslip from November 2025 and reopened on 17 July 2026.

Wainwrights by bus: Lake District walks without a car

You can climb a lot of Wainwrights without a car. Stagecoach buses reach Borrowdale, Buttermere, Langdale, Coniston, Patterdale and the tops of two passes. The lists below name 78 Wainwrights you can walk from a stop, and they are far from the only ones. The far west is the hard part: no route in the Stagecoach Lakes guide reaches Wasdale or Ennerdale.

Everything below comes from the Stagecoach Lakes by Bus guide for summer 2026, which runs from 23 March to 1 November, and the winter 2025 to 2026 guide before it. Routes and numbers change from year to year. Check before you travel on stagecoachbus.com/thelakes or the Stagecoach Bus app, which also shows buses live.

Why leave the car at home

A car brings you back to where you started. A bus lets you start in one valley and finish in the next, so you walk a ridge once instead of going up and back down the same path. The best walks in this guide only work that way.

Two routes also start you high. The Honister Rambler stops at the slate mine at the top of Honister Pass, and the 508 stops at the Kirkstone Pass Inn. From there Red Screes is 2.5 km there and back with 336 m of climbing, according to WalkLakes.

It is cheap, too. In summer 2026 a single fare was capped at £3, and a North West Explorer ticket gave a day of unlimited travel for £12.50. Bus and Boat tickets add a boat ride on Coniston, Derwentwater, Ullswater or Windermere to a day's bus travel.

The two railway stations

Windermere is the end of the Lakes Line, a Northern branch from Oxenholme Lake District on the West Coast Main Line, calling at Kendal, Burneside and Staveley. The 555, 599, 505 and 508 all call at the station.
Penrith North Lakes is on the West Coast Main Line itself, served by Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express. The 508 and 509 to Ullswater and the X4 and X5 to Keswick leave from there.

Keswick has no station, so arrive at Penrith and take the X4 or X5, or at Windermere and take the 555.

The key routes, and what they unlock

555: Windermere, Grasmere and Keswick, all year

The 555 runs from Lancaster and Kendal through Windermere, Ambleside, Rydal, Grasmere and past Thirlmere to Keswick. Get off at Rydal Church for the Fairfield Horseshoe, at Grasmere for Helm Crag, Silver How and Seat Sandal, and at the Kings Head at Thirlspot for Helvellyn from the west. The open-top 599 covers the same road between Bowness and Grasmere.

From the 555

From the 555
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
211	Loughrigg FellCentral Fells	335 m	Central Fells	Moderate
190	Nab ScarEastern Fells	450 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
127	Heron PikeEastern Fells	612 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
13	FairfieldEastern Fells	873 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
54	Great RiggEastern Fells	766 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
174	Stone ArthurEastern Fells	504 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
201	Helm CragCentral Fells	405 m	Central Fells	Moderate
202	Silver HowCentral Fells	395 m	Central Fells	Moderate
=67	Seat SandalEastern Fells	737 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
3	HelvellynEastern Fells	950 m	Eastern Fells	Difficult
16	White SideEastern Fells	863 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
12	RaiseEastern Fells	883 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate

78 Borrowdale Bus, all year

The 78 runs from Keswick to Grange, Rosthwaite and Seatoller, about every half hour in summer and hourly in winter. Grange is the foot of Maiden Moor and High Spy. From Rosthwaite, the WalkLakes Castle Crag walk is 4.5 km with 214 m of climbing. Stonethwaite, a short walk from Rosthwaite, is the start for Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag. See Wainwrights from Borrowdale.

From the 78

From the 78
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
214	Castle CragNorth Western Fells	290 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
199	Grange Fell (Brund Fell)Central Fells	417 m	Central Fells	Easy
191	Great CragCentral Fells	449 m	Central Fells	Moderate
139	Maiden MoorNorth Western Fells	575 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
113	High SpyNorth Western Fells	653 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
160	Eagle CragCentral Fells	525 m	Central Fells	Difficult
141	Sergeant's CragCentral Fells	571 m	Central Fells	Moderate
=149	Rosthwaite Fell (Bessyboot)Southern Fells	551 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
45	GlaramaraSouthern Fells	783 m	Southern Fells	Difficult
117	Base BrownWestern Fells	646 m	Western Fells	Moderate

77 and 77A Honister Rambler, seasonal

The Honister Rambler is a loop from Keswick. The 77A goes via Catbells, Seatoller, the Honister Slate Mine and Buttermere, then back via Lorton, Whinlatter and Braithwaite; the 77 goes the other way. From Honister, Dale Head, Fleetwith Pike, Grey Knotts and Brandreth are all within about 400 m of climbing. Buttermere has High Stile, Red Pike and Haystacks, and Lanthwaite Green is the start for Grasmoor and Whiteside. It does not run in winter. See Wainwrights from Buttermere.

From the Honister Rambler

From the Honister Rambler
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
189	CatbellsNorth Western Fells	451 m	North Western Fells	Easy
63	Dale HeadNorth Western Fells	753 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
116	Fleetwith PikeWestern Fells	649 m	Western Fells	Difficult
=91	Grey KnottsWestern Fells	697 m	Western Fells	Moderate
=79	BrandrethWestern Fells	715 m	Western Fells	Moderate
35	Green GableWestern Fells	801 m	Western Fells	Moderate
131	HaystacksWestern Fells	597 m	Western Fells	Moderate
65	High CragWestern Fells	744 m	Western Fells	Difficult
30	High StileWestern Fells	806 m	Western Fells	Difficult
62	Red Pike [Buttermere]Western Fells	755 m	Western Fells	Difficult
=67	RobinsonNorth Western Fells	737 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
106	Whiteless PikeNorth Western Fells	660 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
210	Rannerdale KnottsNorth Western Fells	355 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
20	GrasmoorNorth Western Fells	852 m	North Western Fells	Difficult
84	Whiteside (west top)North Western Fells	707 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
165	Whinlatter (Brown How)North Western Fells	517 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
148	Lord's SeatNorth Western Fells	552 m	North Western Fells	Moderate

X4 and X5: Penrith to Keswick and Cockermouth, all year

The X4 and X5 run along the A66. Both stop at Threlkeld for Blencathra and Clough Head. The X5 also calls at Braithwaite, the start of the Coledale Horseshoe, and at Thornthwaite under Barf. See Wainwrights from Braithwaite.

From the X4 and X5

From the X4 and X5
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
14	BlencathraNorthern Fells	868 m	Northern Fells	Difficult
=74	Clough HeadEastern Fells	726 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
40	Grisedale PikeNorth Western Fells	791 m	North Western Fells	Difficult
142	OutersideNorth Western Fells	568 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
187	BarrowNorth Western Fells	455 m	North Western Fells	Easy
=119	Causey PikeNorth Western Fells	637 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
185	BarfNorth Western Fells	469 m	North Western Fells	Moderate
148	Lord's SeatNorth Western Fells	552 m	North Western Fells	Moderate

508, 509 and the Ullswater Steamers

The 508 runs from Penrith station to Pooley Bridge, Aira Force, Glenridding and Patterdale, and in summer on over Kirkstone Pass to Troutbeck, Bowness and Windermere. The 509, new for 2026 and summer only, links Keswick with Glenridding and Patterdale by Threlkeld and Dockray. Glenridding is the start for Helvellyn from the east, Patterdale for Place Fell and St Sunday Crag, and the Kirkstone Pass Inn for Red Screes.

Ullswater Steamers sail between Glenridding, Howtown and Pooley Bridge. Howtown pier is the start of the lakeshore path back to Glenridding, and Hallin Fell is just above it. See Wainwrights from Glenridding and Patterdale and Wainwrights from Pooley Bridge.

From the 508, 509 and the steamer

From the 508, 509 and the steamer
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
193	Glenridding DoddEastern Fells	442 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
99	Sheffield PikeEastern Fells	676 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
10	CatstycamEastern Fells	890 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
3	HelvellynEastern Fells	950 m	Eastern Fells	Difficult
108	Place FellFar Eastern Fells	657 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=22	Saint Sunday CragEastern Fells	841 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
124	BirksEastern Fells	622 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
194	Arnison CragEastern Fells	433 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
143	Angletarn PikesFar Eastern Fells	567 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=136	Hartsop above HowEastern Fells	581 m	Eastern Fells	Easy
125	Hartsop DoddFar Eastern Fells	618 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
=111	Middle DoddEastern Fells	654 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
49	Red ScreesEastern Fells	776 m	Eastern Fells	Moderate
=55	Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike)Far Eastern Fells	763 m	Far Eastern Fells	Moderate
203	Hallin FellFar Eastern Fells	388 m	Far Eastern Fells	Easy
181	Gowbarrow FellEastern Fells	481 m	Eastern Fells	Easy

516: Ambleside to Great Langdale, all year

The 516 runs from Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge, Elterwater and Dungeon Ghyll. Dungeon Ghyll is the start for the Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Pike o' Blisco, and Elterwater for Lingmoor Fell. See Wainwrights from Ambleside.

From the 516

From the 516
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
=69	Harrison StickleCentral Fells	736 m	Central Fells	Difficult
89	Pavey ArkCentral Fells	700 m	Central Fells	Moderate
98	Loft CragCentral Fells	682 m	Central Fells	Moderate
83	Pike o'StickleCentral Fells	708 m	Central Fells	Moderate
76	Thunacar KnottCentral Fells	723 m	Central Fells	Easy
=145	Blea RiggCentral Fells	556 m	Central Fells	Moderate
6	BowfellSouthern Fells	903 m	Southern Fells	Difficult
=17	Crinkle Crags (Long Top)Southern Fells	859 m	Southern Fells	Difficult
86	Pike o'BliscoSouthern Fells	705 m	Southern Fells	Difficult
184	Lingmoor FellSouthern Fells	470 m	Southern Fells	Easy

505: Windermere to Coniston, all year

The 505 runs from Windermere station and Ambleside through Hawkshead to Coniston. From the village you can reach the whole Coniston range. See Wainwrights from Coniston.

From the 505

From the 505
Rank	Fell	Height	Area	Difficulty
=31	Coniston Old ManSouthern Fells	802 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
48	Dow CragSouthern Fells	778 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
37	Brim FellSouthern Fells	796 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=31	Swirl HowSouthern Fells	802 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=42	Great CarrsSouthern Fells	785 m	Southern Fells	Moderate
=55	WetherlamSouthern Fells	763 m	Southern Fells	Moderate

One-way walks between two bus stops

These are the walks a car makes awkward. Carry the timetable for the return bus and know when the last one leaves.

Buttermere to Keswick. WalkLakes has you park in Keswick and take the first bus over Honister to Buttermere, then walk home over Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor and Catbells. That is 20.6 km with 1,261 m of ascent, a minimum of 6 hours 14 minutes. For a shorter day, stop after Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson, or start at Honister and finish in Buttermere.
Glenridding to Thirlspot. One walker's car-free round took the 508 to Glenridding, crossed Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Raise and White Side, and came down to the 555 at Thirlspot. That is about 6.5 miles and 3,100 feet of climbing.
Dungeon Ghyll to Ambleside. Take the 516 up the valley, climb Harrison Stickle and Thunacar Knott, then follow the long spur south east over Blea Rigg and Loughrigg Fell into Ambleside, as described in this WalkLakes linear walk.
Grasmere to Patterdale. This is a stage of the Coast to Coast. From Grisedale Hause, Wainwright offered three ways down: over Helvellyn, over St Sunday Crag, or along Grisedale. In summer the 508 goes back over Kirkstone to Windermere.
Rosthwaite to Grasmere. The Coast to Coast stage before, from the 78 at Rosthwaite by Stonethwaite to Greenup Edge, then along the Helm Crag ridge to the 555 in Grasmere.
Catbells to Grange. Get off the 77A at the Catbells stop, walk the ridge south over Maiden Moor and High Spy, drop to Grange and catch the 78 back. The Keswick guide has the details, and the Newlands Horseshoe guide covers the full round.

Fells on the one-way walks

Seasons and the small print

Timetable seasons. The summer 2026 timetable runs from 23 March to 1 November. Winter 2025 to 2026 ran from 3 November to 22 March.
Summer only: the 77/77A Honister Rambler, the 509 and the 508 over Kirkstone Pass. In winter the 508 stops at Patterdale. Some Rambler journeys ran only at weekends and on public holidays from 2 May to 31 August 2026, and some 509 journeys only at weekends and in school holidays.
All year, but less often in winter: the 78, 505, 516, 555, 599 and X4/X5 all appeared in the winter 2025 to 2026 guide. The 78 drops from half hourly to hourly.
Road closures. A landslip shut the A592 below Kirkstone Pass from November 2025 until 17 July 2026, and the 508 could not cross the pass while it was shut.
No bus at all. Wasdale, Ennerdale and Kentmere have no route in the Stagecoach guide. For the Kentmere Horseshoe, Staveley has a station and a 555 stop at the foot of the valley. The Mosedale Horseshoe and the rest of Wainwrights from Wasdale mean a long walk in or a night at Wasdale Head.

The last bus matters more than the first. Walking out of a valley at dusk after the last bus has gone is a long evening. Check the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) before you set off, carry a map and compass, and plan a way down to a stop that runs later if the day goes slowly.

If you are ticking them off, Upfell is a free iPhone app that keeps the list, or print the Wainwrights checklist. For bases with the best buses, start with Keswick, Windermere or Grasmere.

Wainwrights by bus: the Lake District without a car