A record-breaking attempt at running across 78 Lake District peaks has failed, leaving Mark Hartell’s 13-year-old achievement intact.

Steve Birkinshaw was trying to smash the aforementioned sportsman’s accomplishment of 77 fells in 24 hours but, after falling behind schedule, was forced to abandon the project, Grough magazine reports.

At approximately 22:00 BST, he pulled up 23 peaks from his target after topping Pillar above Ennerdale.

“Once I knew the record was out of reach I lost all motivation, I started to feel all dizzy,” Mr Birkinshaw remarked in response to comments on the Fellrunners’ Association Forum.

He went on to note that the weather was as good as he could have asked for, but “I got my eating and drinking wrong again”.

This comes after four walkers on Lad Hows in the Lake District were caught in bad conditions and had to be airlifted to hospital, with one suffering a dislocated shoulder and another being hit by lightning, the news source reported.

The Lake District has long been one of Britain’s most popular regions for ramblers – and with very good reason.

It offers a wide array of options for walking enthusiasts throughout the year, from the challenge of scaling the likes of Scaffell Peak and Skiddaw to taking a stroll around breathtaking lakes such as Bassenthwaite and Windermere.

The region caters for walkers of all ages and skill, and is also a fantastic option for a family holiday due to the number of festivals and events taking place throughout the grounds of the national park.

For example, June marks the beginning of the summer festival period in the region, with the Appleby Horse Fair kicking things off for a week at the beginning of the month. The Keswick Beer Festival is a traditional favourite for people visiting the Lake District and takes place in the early part of June, along with the Holker Garden Festival.

July is always the Lake District’s busiest period for events as the summer season attracts more visitors to the region than at any other time of the year. Highlights include the Lakeland Rose Show near Kendal in mid-July and the Barrow Walking Festival, which traditionally begins at the start of July. Meanwhile the Cumberland County Show is also a popular option for all ages.

August features events such as the Hawkshead Show at the end of the month and the Ambleside Flower Show, which runs over the weekend in the early stages of August.

One of the region’s most well-known event doesn’t come round until November. The Kendal Mountain Festival is Europe’s largest festival of its type and remains one of the leading social events for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK.

It is like the outdoor version of the Cannes film festival, as more than 50 movies are screened – many for the very first time – as they compete for prizes dished out by a judging panel.

Also, special art and book awards are also given out over the course of the three-day event, which runs in mid-November.  

For the more adventurous and experienced walkers, a crack at the famous Wainwright coast-to-coast route can also be partly completed in the Lake District. Devised by legendary rambler Alfred Wainwright, the walk is the longest unofficial footpath in the north of England as it stretches across the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

Although not for the fainthearted – the walk totals an estimated distance of 220 miles – it could be worth the effort, as the Wainwright Society website states that it was named the second-best walk in the world in a survey of experts in 2004.

Wainwright himself suggested that the walk be completed in stages over the course of a two-week break, so if you’re keen to add this accomplishment to your walking CV, a lengthy holiday may be required.

The Lake District is one of the country’s best options for a walking holiday at any time of the year, but it is the summer when it really comes alive.

Wainwright himself suggested that the walk be completed in stages over the course of a two-week holiday, so if you’re keen to add this accomplishment to your walking CV, a lengthy holiday may be required.

The Lake District is one of the country’s best options for a walking holiday at any time of the year, but it is the summer when it really comes alive.

Those planning to explore the climbing and walking routes of the Lake District have been warned that there is a large and potentially dangerous boulder loose on the Centipede climb on Raven Crag in Langdale.

The British Mountaineering Council has received a report from one of its members highlighting concerns that the rock could prove a danger to the public should it become dislodged.

According to the eyewitness, the boulder is about the same size as a television and that it should be removed to guarantee public safety.

“It’s about the size of a TV and is a natural position to pull up on two handed then stand on. When it does come away it may well take out the belayer and anyone at the foot of the grag,” the report added.

There are many other walks in the Lake District which people can take advantage of, including Fellbarrow and Low Fell, Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge and Latrigg.

National conservation group the Open Spaces Society has published a ten-point plan to protect routes for those who enjoy walking in the New Forest and other parts of the country.

The list has been compiled for candidates at the general election, with politicians asked to sign up to it.

It includes a right of appeal and a requirement to provide suitable alternative land before public open space is taken for another purpose.

Another request is for public paths, such as New Forest walks and Lake District walks, to be recorded, open and easy to use, with a definitive list of all public highways, from roads to footpaths available to walking fans.

In addition, the charity wants swift implementation of the English coastal route and the access land associated with it.

The latter could soon become a reality as the government recently gave the green light to the Coastal Access Scheme.

A more appropriate name for the Lake District would be “the mountain district” thanks to the fantastic array of walking routes the area has to offer, it has been claimed.

Ian Hawkins, domestic market manager at Tourism Cumbria, stated that while Lake Windermere is the most famous part of the landscape, the hills and mountains provide ample walking and hiking opportunities for those who enjoy walking more than sailing.

Mr Hawkins said that he himself spends little time on the water and prefers instead to explore the myriad of walking routes, adding that they are what make the region such a special place to visit.

“It’s about getting out, mountain biking, hill walking, ghyll scrambling and those kind of things. That’s the Lake District for me, it’s about the walking, hiking and outdoor activities,” he stated.

More than eight million people enjoy the Lake District’s walking routes each year, according to the Lake District National Park Authority.

With hills blanketed in every shade of green and waterfalls tumbling from the mountains, the Lake District is a jewel in the UK’s crown and a favourite with walking and hiking fans everywhere.

Home to Lake Windermere, which at 10.5 miles is the longest in the county, the Lake District is perhaps the most striking example of the country’s natural beauty.

Lovely lakes

Water is what the area is best known for, with 16 lakes of different shapes and sizes emphasising the majesty of the terrain.

Lake Windermere is perhaps the most famous expanse of water in the region.

Drawing thousands of visitors every year, it offers something for everyone, including water sports for the adventurous, a wonderful scene for artists to capture and the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely cruise.

In fact, cruises are one of the most popular activities to take place on the lake, with trips ranging from 45 minutes to three hours.

While Lake Windermere holds the title of the country’s longest lake, it is not regarded as the most scenic.

That accolade belongs to Wastwater, which lies at the foot of England’s highest mountain –Scafell Pike.

It has been voted Britain’s Favourite View, with the roads alongside it offering breathtaking sights of the surrounding mountains, of which there are plenty.

Majestic mountains

The aforementioned Scafell Pike is the most famous.

At 978m tall, it is considered the most challenging mountain to climb in the UK, however, reaching the top is worth it for the spectacular views of Langdale Pikes and Wastwater it provides.

Blencathra is another of the region’s most-renowned peaks, with Sharp Edhe widely regarded as one of the most difficult of all ridges in the mountaineering world.

Get back to nature

While many come to the Lake District to scale the mountains and boat on the lakes, just as many come with their paintbrushes and pastels to capture the area’s natural beauty on paper.

There are several sites which are popular with artists, including the Packhorse bridge at Wasdale Head, Castlerigg Stone Circle in Keswick and Yew Tree Yarn near Consiton.

The various private and public gardens are also popular spots with visitors.

Brantwood garden, set in a 250-acre wood estate with spectacular views, is one of the most impressive and is considered a paradise for hill walkers.

Holker Hall, home of Lady and Lord Cavendish, is another green expanse open to visitors, who can enjoy its flowers, terraces and walking routes.

While the natural environment is the major factor which attracts visitors to the Lake District, it is not all the region has to offer.

Explore the area

Dotted around the countryside are quaint villages boasting white cottages and country inns serving the finest pub food.

The George and Dragon in Penrith is one place where visitors can sit down to a hearty meal.

This beautiful country estate pub serves seasonal produce from the nearby Lowther estate, with organically-reared chicken, beef and lamb all served with fresh vegetables.

Another watering hole popular with visitors is the award-winning Tweedies Bar in Grasmere, with a rich and varied menu and quaint surroundings making this a favourite place to enjoy a relaxing pint.

Rest and relaxation

With so much to see and do, it is unlikely that visitors will see all they need to in one day.

Thankfully, there a number of places to stay, from the four-star Low Wood Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere to the iconic Midland Hotel, which was a favourite of Coco Chanel and Lawrence Olivier.

Others choose to enjoy the great outdoors 24/7 and decide to camp, with various sites and lodges dotted around the countryside.

The Lake District has something to offer everyone, with its rugged terrain just waiting to be explored.

With such variation in the terrain, it is essential that walkers bring the correct walking or hiking boots with them and invest in a map for peace of mind.

Follow these tips and prepare for a truly wonderful walking holiday.