Perched high on Honister Pass between Borrowdale and Buttermere, Honister Slate Mine is more than a fascinating heritage site — it’s also one of the best starting points for Lake District walks. Whether you’re looking for a short family stroll, a classic Wainwright fell, or a challenging full-day adventure, Honister is perfectly placed to get you straight onto the fells.
With parking, a café, and rich mining history, it’s the ideal spot to lace up your boots, grab a coffee, and set off. From here, you can explore iconic fells like Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, Great Gable, Grey Knotts, Dale Head, and even link up with the legendary Coast to Coast path.
Here are 8 incredible walks from Honister Slate Mine, with something for every type of walker.
No list is complete without Haystacks. This craggy fell was Alfred Wainwright’s favourite, and it’s easy to see why. The path leads past Blackbeck Tarn and Innominate Tarn, where Wainwright’s ashes were scattered, before climbing to a rocky summit with glorious views over Buttermere and Crummock Water.
Fleetwith Pike towers above Honister Slate Mine like a giant pyramid. The climb is short but steep in sections, rewarding you with one of the finest panoramas in the Lake District — looking straight down the length of Buttermere, with the surrounding fells unfolding dramatically around you.
Climbing directly from Honister, Dale Head delivers one of the most striking summit views in Lakeland. Its huge cairn sits like a throne overlooking Borrowdale, with vistas stretching to Skiddaw, Blencathra, and the Helvellyn range.
If you fancy a bigger day, link Dale Head with neighbouring Hindscarth and Robinson to form a satisfying ridge circuit. You’ll enjoy a variety of terrain — grassy ridges, rocky climbs, and airy descents — with constant views over Borrowdale, Newlands, and the central fells.
For a true mountain adventure, follow Moses Trod, an old slate-workers’ path, towards Great Gable. This legendary fell dominates the view from Wasdale and offers one of the most celebrated panoramas in the Lakes.
Starting right behind Honister Slate Mine, the steady climb to Grey Knotts and onward to Brandreth is a quieter option with fewer crowds. The reward? Expansive views into Ennerdale and across the central fells.
Perfect for families or those wanting a taste of the fells without a full climb. Follow the old quarry tramway from Honister to Drum House, with the option to continue on to Dubs Hut, a historic bothy with fantastic views.
The world-famous Coast to Coast Path, devised by Wainwright, passes right by Honister Slate Mine. Many walkers stop here for a break, but you can also sample a section of the trail — heading west towards Ennerdale or east into Borrowdale.
Honister Slate Mine is the perfect launchpad for Lake District adventures:
Whether you’re after a gentle stroll or a mountain epic, Honister is where adventure begins.
From family-friendly routes to legendary fell walks, the 8 incredible walks from Honister Slate Mine showcase the very best of the Lake District. Lace up your boots, breathe in the mountain air, and set off from the heart of Honister Pass — where history, scenery, and adventure meet.
