7 Days & 6 Nights

4.7

The Lake District Trail

Wander "as lonely as a cloud" as you traverse dramatic mountain passes
Enjoying the famous Cumbrian hospitality
The rugged peak of Skiddaw which dominates the skyline
Walk in the footsteps of Wainwright to admire Lake Windermere from Orrest Head
Breathtaking panoramic view of Ullswater from the Grisedale Valley

The Lake District Trail takes you on an adventure from the shores of Lake Windermere through the rugged Central and Eastern Lakeland fells to the market town of Keswick. Starting in the bustling Lake District town of Ambleside, take in views from wonderful vantage points such as Orrest Head which Wainwright described as the "introduction to a dream". Continue along the Grisedale Valley amidst the imposing, craggy, mountain peaks of the Helvellyn range, to the village of Patterdale, perfectly situated at the head of tranquil Ullswater Lake. Finish in the market town of Keswick nestled on the shores of Derwent Water where the rugged peak of Skiddaw dominates the skyline. With 2 nights spent in each of the three classic Lakes villages of Ambleside, Patterdale and Keswick, this tour gives you time to immerse yourself fully in this beautiful part of England.

From $1,279.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Ambleside

Ambleside is a bustling lakeside town and a great starting point for your adventure in the Lake District.

Tonight you may wish to venture into town from your B&B and find a local pub in which to have dinner.

Overnight Ambleside

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Lacet House | Bed and breakfast

A warm welcome awaits you at Lacet House. They have 5 rooms in total all of which overlook White Platts recreational park. All rooms are tastefully decorated either traditional or contemporary design and have black out blinds, flatscreen TV, hairdryer and central heating.

Brantfell House | Bed and breakfast

Brantfell House provides accommodation set within a renovated Victorian house. The property has 5 rooms - all rooms have flat screen TV/ DVD players, tea and coffee making facilities and modern en-suite shower rooms.

Wateredge Inn | Bed and breakfast, Country Inn

The Wateredge Inn is a beautiful country inn offering comfy beds, great food and drink and wonderful views over Lake Windermere. All their rooms are stylish, modern and comfortable, with views of the lake available but they still retain the classic charm of the old building.

Day 2: Ferry to Bowness/Walk to Ambleside 9.5 miles / 15 km

Catch an early ferry from Ambleside to Bowness-on-Windermere before setting out from Bowness Bay and walking back to Ambleside.

After walking through Bowness-on-Windermere on footpaths, you will soon head into the hills on this delightful days’ walking. You will take in some of the most breathtaking views of the Lake District from vantage points such as Orrest Head (described by Wainwright after completing this walk as the ‘introduction to a dream.’) This walk is actually known as the walk that inspired Wainwright.

Combine this with the high point of Wansfell Pike and this really does make for an exhilarating days walking.

Ascent:+644m / Descent: -603m

Overnight Ambleside

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Lacet House | Bed and breakfast

Brantfell House | Bed and breakfast

Wateredge Inn | Bed and breakfast, Country Inn

Day 3: Ambleside to Patterdale 11.5 miles / 19 km

From Ambleside the trail heads North through Rydal Park and impressive Rydal Hall before joining the ‘Coffin Road’ named for the fact that it was originally used to convey the deceased to their final resting place in Grasmere. Gently undulating through trees the trail passes Rydal Mount, home of Wordsworth.

At White Moss Common at the north end of Rydal Water, the views ahead to Grasmere are spectacular and you will see why this was a favourite place of Wordsworth’s sister, Dorothy. Following the trail down into Grasmere you arrive at famous Dove Cottage, also home to Wordsworth, and you may also visit his final resting place at St Oswald’s Church.

Moving out of Grasmere, the trail follows the Grisedale Pass, with an exhilarating walk up to Grisedale Tarn affording wonderful views back down to Grasmere and North toward Ullswater. The impressive craggy heights of Helvellyn fill the skyline to your left as you descend along the valley into Patterdale.

Ascent:+777m / Descent: -687m

Overnight Patterdale

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Old Water View | Country Inn

Situated in the delightful village of Patterdale, and surrounded by some of Lakeland's most magnificent scenery, Old Water View has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years. All of guest bedrooms are tastefully decorated and furnished to a high standard. They offer comfortable, central heated accommodation, with all modern conveniences, including TV, CD player, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Crookabeck | Bed and breakfast

Crookabeck Farm offers B&B accommodation in a stunning farm location in Patterdale. The B&B is in a converted old stone and slate farm building nestled under Place Fell. All bedrooms with en-suite shower room, with guest lounge and outside seating areas.

School House | Bed and breakfast

School House is a lovely B&B in the centre of Patterdale. Each room has tea and coffee-making facilities, complimentary toiletries, wifi and spectacular views from every window. They also have a drying room just in case you encounter a bit of rain on your walk.

Day 4: Ullswater Lake and Place Fell circular walk 8 miles / 13 km

Today’s walk is one of the most beautiful in all Lakeland, circumnavigating the peak of Place Fell and following the stunning lakeshore path of Ullswater. The trail initially climbs to the grassy coll of Boredale Hause framed by the mountains of Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes. The walk ahead down the Boredale glaciated valley is superb and as you descend you experience the magnificent view unfolding ahead. The route turns to follow the lakeside of Ullswater, a real highlight of the day, with unsurpassed views across the quiet waters to the peaks beyond as you walk back to Patterdale.

Ascent:+361m / Descent: -355m

Overnight Patterdale

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Old Water View | Country Inn

Crookabeck | Bed and breakfast

School House | Bed and breakfast

Day 5: Patterdale to Keswick 12 miles / 20 km

You spend this day surrounded by the mountain peaks, crags and cliffs which epitomise the Lake District. Walking up Glenridding away from Ullswater you are rewarded with views back to the Lake and across the Eastern Fells. The trail follows a bridleway along the Sticks Pass with the peak of Helvellyn to the South.

A steep descent brings you out to St Johns in the Vale, an arable area in a wide glacial valley at the head of Thirlmere surrounded by perhaps the most striking of the Lakeland Fells. Here you follow the St John’s Beck river northward between the rocky flanks of Clough Head to the East and the rugged neighbours, High Rigg and Low Rigg to the West.

A real highlight of the day’s walk is the Castlerigg Stone Circle just East of Keswick, described as ‘one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain’. You finish this exhilarating day upon arrival at the market town of Keswick situated in an idyllic location on Derwent Water.

Ascent:+760m / Descent: -830m

Overnight Keswick

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Skiddaw Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The three-star Skiddaw Hotel is set in the picturesque market town of Keswick, each of the 43 en-suite bedrooms offers a high standard of comfort and has all the amenities you would expect from a good hotel, their housekeeping staff take pride in making sure that every room is kept sparkling to ensure you feel relaxed when you stay.

The Highfield Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

Highfield in Keswick is a charming and elegant guest house located in the heart of Keswick. The Hotel offers a blend of Victorian architecture with modern amenities.

All of The Highfield’s bedrooms have been thoughtfully restored to offer the highest quality hotel accommodation.

Keswick Park Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The Keswick Park was built in 1880 as a traditional Lakeland / Cumbrian slate house near the centre of Keswick. In the 1970's it was converted to a comfortable Hotel / Guest House. It is conveniently located for bed and breakfast only 200 metres level walk from Keswick town centre the "Queen of the northern Lake District" in Cumbria. All rooms have been recently decorated to a high standard. The Keswick Park is currently graded by Visit Britain Tourism as a 4 star Guest House. The bar has a good selection of bottled beers and draught beer, the bar also has the best selection of "Scottish Single Malt Whisky's" in Keswick with a choice of more than 20 available aged from 10 year old to 29 year old with Islay Whisky's our specialty.

Day 6: Derwent Water, Walla Crag and Friars Crag circular walk 6.5 miles / 11 km

Following a fairly steep climb up to the heather clad summit of Walla Crag you are rewarded with one of the finest views in all of Lakeland. The sparkling surface of Derwent Water below and the Skiddaw range rising behind Keswick are sights to behold! Walking onward you skirt the Cat Gill ravine before descending to reach Ashness Bridge fording the torrents of Ashness Gill. This much admired and photographed single arched bridge is a reminder of once busy packhorse routes across the Fells.

The Lakeshore path back to Keswick is a delightful hike through woodland and along wide bays. At the rocky outcrop of Friar’s Crag you will find a memorial to John Ruskin who thought the views some of the finest in all Europe.

Ascent:+312m / Descent: -340m

Overnight Keswick

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Skiddaw Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The Highfield Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

Highfield in Keswick is a charming and elegant guest house located in the heart of Keswick. The Hotel offers a blend of Victorian architecture with modern amenities.

All of The Highfield’s bedrooms have been thoughtfully restored to offer the highest quality hotel accommodation.

Keswick Park Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 7: Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

The Lake District Trail provides a chance to escape to one of the most beautiful areas of England. Enjoy picture perfect Lakeland landscapes and revel in the poetic romance of the Lakes. If you are looking to explore the mountains, fells, valleys and lakes while walking in the footsteps of the cream of Britain’s writers and poets, this is the perfect choice.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years

Activity Level & Terrain

As this is a self-guided hiking tour, you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip. You should have a good level of hiking fitness. be capable of negotiating some tricky terrain and be comfortable walking on short sections where there may be no distinct path underfoot at times. The Lake District Trail is not waymarked specifically but does traverse many popular routes in the Lake District fells and you should navigate using the Macs App. During wet weather, the trails may get muddy and boggy, so it is important to be prepared for this and ensure you have suitable waterproof hiking gear and robust walking boots.

Please do not underestimate hiking in adverse weather when in the Lake District – it’s, not uncommon for the weather to change rapidly in the North of England, where heavy rainfall or thick fog could very quickly disorientate you, therefore using the Macs Adventure Smartphone App is highly recommended for this tour. There are some sections where the path underfoot may become indistinct, but we provide comprehensive route notes, maps and GPX tracks through our smartphone app, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way. Make sure that you pay attention at any intersections and if you do not find a way marker at an intersection think back to the last junction and make sure you are on the right path.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

6 nights hand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation
6 Breakfasts
Door to door baggage transfer as per itinerary
Detailed Information Pack, Route Notes and Maps
Access to the GPX tracks via the Macs Smartphone App
Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem

Excluded

Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Ferry crossing from Ambleside to Bowness on Windermere
Travel Insurance - prerequisite for all bookings
Personal Equipment
Transport when you need to skip a stage

Extras

Extra nights

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is strongly recommended that you secure adequate travel insurance.

What happens if I can’t walk a stage? How fit do I need to be? How far in advance do I need to book? Do I need to be able to navigate? What are the paths like on this trip? What personal equipment do I need? When is the best time of year?

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Why Macs

Reasons to believe in Macs Adventure:

The Biggest Choice

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Founded in 2003

We’re still founder led & the world’s number one self-guided operator with mountains of experience.

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Plus, with a Feefo Platinum Service Award & British Travel Awards, you know you're in good hands.

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The Lake District Trail

The Lake District Trail

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Itinerary

Other Information

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

Meals

Why Macs

The Biggest Choice

Founded in 2003

23,000+ Customer Reviews

B Corp Certified