The area called 'The Lakes' is in the north-west of England in Cumbria. The area is the largest National Park in England (around 885 sq. miles) and is recognised as the most beautiful regions and the UK's premier destination for walking and rock scrambling.

Hills or mountains in the the Lake District are known by the local name of Fells. The Lake District's Fells are England's only proper mountain range and although not large by world standards (ie not being much above three thousand ft or one thousand ms) they nevertheless provide a large number of energy sapping and rewarding walks. All can be hiked (as opposed to "climbed" with ropes etc) and because of the historical tradition of hiking for pleasure there is a large number of paths. Additionally there is unrestricted access to virtually all places above the "intake wall" (the last wall as you hike out of the valley).

According to respected local author (A. Wainwright) there are exactly 214 Hills, much of which offer lots of routes, plus many opportunities to cross over between the mountains.

The tallest peak is Scafell Pike. This "highest" designation leads to lots of hikers, and visitors who want to walk up a tall lakes peak may want to choose another one. Most of the slightly lower fells are in fact much more peaceful to hike as well as giving better views. Great Gable and High Street are popular choices. Less well-known hills include Fairfield, Grisedale Pike and Bowfell.

The most important attraction is the many lakes and mountains carved by glacial erosion and giving dramatic and exciting scenery however much modified by man, mainly by farming. It's the previous home of cultural luminaries for example William Wordsworth and Mr John Ruskin, and the walks and hills are famously documented by Alfred Wainwright.

First settled in the Stone Age and taken by the Romans the area was heavily influenced by the Norsemen in the occupation circa 900AD. The Vikings cleared the native trees to create charcoal to smelt lead near Glenridding and copper near Borrowdale Valley and near Coniston. The Norse introduced the Herdwick sheep to the hills

The area is popular with both UK and international tourists and this can cause congestion during busy holidays at the most popular fells.