Wild camping in the Lake District offers a sense of freedom and adventure, letting you truly immerse yourself in one of the UK’s most dramatic landscapes. Preparation is key to making the most of this experience. Below, we’ll cover essential kit and recommendations, packing tips, wild camping courses to help you, and the guidelines you need to follow to wild camp responsibly in the Lake District.
Essential Wild Camping Kit and Recommendations
Preparing the right gear for wild camping is essential to make your experience safe and enjoyable, especially in the Lake District’s changeable weather. Here’s a list of the basics:
Backpack: Look for a backpack with a 50-60 litre capacity to carry all essentials. Choose a model with a good hip belt and good weight distribution.
Top tips:
Look for a lightweight pack to minimise the overall weight of your kit. E.g. I use a Deuter Durascent 44 as it only weighs 890g.
I also use an Osprey Mutant 50 but I have taken the frame out, this reduces the rigidity of the bag which I find more comfortable and it makes the pack lighter from the outset.
I aim for my bag to be no heavier than 10kg if possible.
Tent: Your shelter should be lightweight, compact, and durable enough for high winds and rain. Many walkers choose a two-layer tent with a high waterproof rating for extra protection.
Top tips:
Look for something that pitches outer-first or goes up all in one. Inner pitch first tents are not ideal in the rainy and wet conditions of the Lakes.
British and Scandinavian brands usually pitch all in one as they are designed to be used in a wetter climates. e.g Terra Nova, Hilleberg, Vango
Geodesic style tents tend not to be the best in higher winds.
Look for Wild Country by Terra Nova for good quality tents on a budget; they are replicas of the Terra Nova tents with slightly heavier materials hence the price difference.
I mostly use a Terra Nova Laser Compact 1 as it weighs 1kg.
I would recommend the Wild Country Helm 1, Vango Banshee, Wild Country Zephryos, Hilleberg Akto - budget dependent.
Buying the footprint for the tent is recommended - it gives extra protection from wet ground, insulates your tent better and you have somewhere dry to store kit in your porch area.
Sleeping Bag and Insulated Mat: A 3-season sleeping bag rated for lower temperatures will keep you warm most of the year through. A compact insulated mat prevents heat loss from the ground and improves sleep comfort - the mat is arguably more important than the sleeping bag.
Top Tips:
A down sleeping bag will be warmer and it will pack down smaller than a synthetic bag. Make sure it stays dry (double dry bag?)
Sleeping bag: I am currently using an Exped Ultra -10 (comfort rating of -3).
I have a thin Pertex bivvi bag to keep condensation off my sleeping bag.
A silk liner or a SeatoSummit Rector liner will give you more warmth and boost your bags rating and these are lightweight.
A blow up mat is best, therm-a-rest or similar. I use an Exped Synmat currently.
Sleeping mats can come with pumps, normally a dry bag with a nozzle to help inflate your mat - this will save your breath but a small mechanical pump can be a game changer (luxury item?)
Camping Stove and Fuel: A lightweight stove allows for low-impact cooking. An integrated canister stove is usually ideal for boiling water quickly and efficiently. Examples would include a Jetboil or similar. The MSR Windburner protects the burner from the wind and stops the flame going out.
Top tips:
In colder weather the MSR Whisperlite can help by allowing the gas canister to be turned upside down, delivering fuel quicker to your stove.
The Jetboil style stoves are the most efficient for storage, Russain doll style - everything will fit inside the stove container, even the gas if you buy the ~100g canister.
You can boil a litre of water in around 3 mins with these stoves.
Water Bottle and Purification System: In the Lake District, there’s access to fresh water, but purifying your water is still essential. Pack a small filtration system, buy a filter bottle or purification tablets to be safe. Boiling the water you intend to use will also kill bacteria.
Expedition food: Generally most people are using boil in the bag or dehydrated meals. Firepot, Wayfayrer, Tent Meals are all examples of whats on the market. It is not uncommon for people to be dehydrating their own meals, you can monitor your food better this way and plan your meals.
Top tips:
I eat Wayfayrer boil in the bag meals. I find them tasty and it saves washing up. I use the boiled water for tea/coffee and there is no mess afterwards.
Any boiled water that isn't used can be poured into my Nalgene and this can then be used as a hot water bottle. I also have water to drink in the morning too this way.
Clothing Layers: Normal hill kit: pack moisture-wicking base layers, a warm mid-layer (like a fleece), a waterproof and windproof jacket, and insulated gloves and a hat. The weather can change quickly, so layering is essential. I also like a big warm coat for the evening, like a down or Primaloft jacket.
Lighting: A headlamp is a must-have. I used a Petzl Swift RL. I also carry a spare torch like a Petzl Tikka. Spare batteries could be useful to depending on your torch type.
Hints and Tips for Packing
Packing efficiently can make your wild camping trip much more enjoyable, especially in mountainous terrain where every gram counts. Here are a few tips:
Distribute Weight Evenly:
Place heavier items like water and stove close to your back and mid-way down your pack to prevent top-heaviness.
The sleeping bag can go to the bottom of the pack.
Keep your day gear and essentials items accessible or near to the top.
Sometimes I fold my sleeping mat and slide it down the down the back of the bag; this means I don't have to pack another rigid cylinder shape.
Use Dry Bags:
Pack clothing and sleeping gear in waterproof dry bags to keep everything dry, especially important in rainy conditions.
Dry socks for camp is great for morale.
Minimise Waste:
To avoid carrying extra weight, repackage food into lightweight bags and containers. For example, pour dry foods like oats into smaller bags.
Take a zip-lock bag and pack out any used toilet paper or sanitary products. Dispose when you get back.
Prioritise Accessibility:
Keep frequently used items like snacks, a map, and your waterproof jacket at the top of your pack or in side pockets.
Want to learn?
A Mountain Skills and Wild Camping Course provides the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to start exploring safely and responsibly. Here’s an outline of how the course can benefit walkers starting out.
These course covers the following:
1. Building a Strong Foundation in Mountain Skills
2. Practical Wild Camping Skills and Environmental Awareness
3. Building Confidence and Independence
4. Preparing for Future Adventures
Guidelines for Wild Camping in the Lake District
While wild camping is tolerated in certain parts of the Lake District, following specific guidelines ensures it remains accessible for everyone while protecting the natural environment. Here’s what you need to know:
Choose Discreet Locations: Set up camp away from popular paths, lakes, and built-up areas to avoid disturbing residents, other visitors, or wildlife.
Stay Above the Highest Fell Wall: As a general rule, camp above the highest wall in any valley, keeping away from farmland and minimizing impact on lower areas.
Arrive Late, Leave Early: To minimize the visual impact of wild camping, set up your camp at dusk and leave at dawn. This approach keeps campsites discreet and avoids disturbing other hikers.
Pack Out All Waste: Take everything out that you brought in, including food scraps, tissues, and packaging. Use a small trash bag to collect waste and leave nothing behind.
Avoid Open Fires: Fires can cause lasting damage to sensitive ground and are not allowed. Use a stove for cooking instead.
Limit Group Size: Keep your group small—ideally no more than four people. Larger groups increase noise and environmental impact and are more difficult to keep discreet.
Check Seasonal Restrictions: Some areas have restrictions during the bird nesting season (March to July). It’s essential to research these restrictions and avoid protected sites to preserve wildlife habitats.
The Lake District National Park Authority encourages all campers to follow these guidelines strictly. Rangers do monitor camping activity, and staying within these rules ensures that wild camping remains possible for future visitors.
I cannot stress enough the importance of following these simple guidelines - show a respect for the environment, the activity, the ethos of hill walking and fellow hikers.
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