Walk the Lake District

5.0/5 Based on 3 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Our Price From 3,332 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 68 Per Person
 Trip Length
7 Days
 Trip Starts
Seatoller
 Trip Finishes
Seatoller
7 Day Walk the Lake District Itinerary (Explore)
Countries Explored: England
Trip Style
Walk & Trek
Departures
Accommodation
Comfortable
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Moderate
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
WLD

Overview

Read 3 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Explore's 7 Day Walk the Lake District. This walking holiday explores the trails and scenery of the beautiful Northern Lake District. From our comfortable 3-star hotel base located in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley, we have easy access to some of the best walking in Wainwright country such as Scafell Pike, Haystacks and Cat Bells.

Itinerary

Arrive at the hotel in Seatoller, a hamlet with a handful of houses and farms. Our peaceful and comfortable base for the week is located in the Borrowdale Valley with commanding views of the surrounding fells. It is a perfect location for exploring the hiking trails of the northern Lakes.

Check in is possible from 3 pm. There is a car park for hotel guests. If arriving by train, Penrith Station is around 40 minutes away by taxi.

The Tour Leader plans to meet you in reception at 6 pm for the introductory briefing, followed by a chance to get acquainted with your fellow guests over dinner. Stay: Glaramara House (Comfortable) (D)

We start our first walk from the door of our hotel after breakfast. Heading up through open countryside we hike for 45 minutes and then make a short, steep ascent to a mountain pass over-looking Dale Head and the tarn below. We continue up to High Spy and then ramble along the top of this wide ridge for an hour to reach Maiden Moor and then on to Cat Bells. There are fabulous views over Derwent Water and mountain peaks in all directions. At Cat Bells there are 360-degree views of the surrounding fells and from here we descend to the valley floor and continue walking to Keswick. This pretty market town is home to some great shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants. Later this afternoon we head back to the hotel in our minibus.

Today's moderately-graded walk will take approximately 6 hours and will cover a distance of 14 kilometres/8.70 mile with a total ascent of 700 meter/2297 feet and 530 meter/1739 feet descent. Stay: Glaramara House (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

A short drive from the hotel over Honister Pass takes us past stark, rocky scenery towards Buttermere Lake. From here, we start our hike up towards the imposing band of rocks that stand like the wall of a fortress. Our route ascends through the hills and soon we reach the top of Haystacks (597 meter/1959 feet) with fabulous views across Ennerdale Valley and to the great peaks of Pillar and Great Gable. Haystacks gained fame thanks to the writings of Alfred Wainwright as his favourite fell-top of all, and his ashes were scattered here. We continue towards High Crag on the Red Pike Ridge before descending along a different route with beautiful views of Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Today's moderately-graded walk will take approximately 5-6 hours and will cover a distance of 11 kilometres/6.80 mile with a total ascent of 700 meter/2297 feet and 600 meter/1969 feet descent. Stay: Glaramara House (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

The ascent of Scafell Pike is the most challenging hike of the week and takes us to some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK. After a very short drive we start at the hamlet of Seathwaite and follow the river to the 18th century packhorse Stockley Bridge. We continue beside Grains Ghyll to the impressive gullies of Great End and then to Sprinkling Tarn. From here we make our way through heather and grasslands and on to rocky terrain following a good path through the scree and boulders. We reach the summit plateau of Scafell Pike in around 4 hours. The views from the top on a clear day are outstanding with Moasdale and Wast Water below us and the Irish Sea and Southern Lakes in the distance. We will descend, steeply at first, with some scree to join up with the classic Corridor Route that leads us past Styhead Tarn and eventually back to our start point. There is one very short section of easy scrambling.

Today's challenging-graded walk will take approximately 7 hours and will cover a distance of 15 kilometres/9.30 with a total ascent of 970 meter/3183 feet and 970 meter/3183 feet descent.

Please note that if you prefer an easier guided walk, there is the option to do the 2 tarns hike which follows the same route from Seathwaite and along Grains Ghyll to the impressive gullies of Great End. We descend to Sprinkling Tarn and enjoy the views of some of the highest mountains in England before descending to Styhead Tarn. We then follow the path down Styhead Pass, past the lovely waterfall of Taylor Ghyll Force, and the famous Stockley Bridge back to Seathwaite.

This alternative easy-moderate graded walk will take approximately 4 hours and will cover a distance of 10 kilometres/6.20 mile with a total ascent and descent of 510 meter/1673 feet. Stay: Glaramara House (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

We drive the short distance back to Keswick where our circular hike commences. After crossing the River Greta we gently climb through the forest on the Cumbria Way. There are lots of birds and wildlife and the views of Derwent Water get better as we climb. We will take a breather at Latrigg, with wonderful views over Keswick and Derwent Water below and Skiddaw and Blencathra above us. We continue up above Latrigg and on to Lonscale Craggs. Our return route takes us through Brindholme wood and eventually we join the dismantled railway and follow its course, crossing the river a number of times. We end back in Keswick with time for visits to teashops and pubs before driving back to our hotel.

Today's moderate-graded walk will take approximately 5 hours and will cover a distance of 14 kilometres/8.70 mile with a total ascent and descent of 350 meter/1148 feet. Stay: Glaramara House (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

For our final walk of the holiday, we make a short journey by bus to the pretty hamlet of Stonethwaite. Starting here, we cross the river and briefly follow the Cumbria Way and then the path south that runs next to the river. Very gently we gain height as we head towards a small pass at Greenup Edge, just under High Raise. There are wide views of the valley that we just hiked up and over to the valley on the other side. Hike amongst the hills of Grasmere Common and on to the beautiful Easedale Tarn before heading into Grasmere itself. Grasmere is associated with the Lake Poets, most notably William Wordsworth. Finally, we drive back to our hotel.

Today's moderate-graded walk will take approximately 5-6 hours and will cover a distance of 13 kilometres/8.10 mile with a total ascent and descent of 650 meter/2133 feet. Stay: Glaramara House (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Hike the beautiful Northern Lake District
  • Comfortable 3-star hotel base in the Borrowdale Valley
  • All meals included with excellent dinners using local ingredients

  • For those who are fit and active, these moderate walks are normally on good paths and tracks at low altitude. Days may include some fairly demanding ascents and descents, so previous experience is preferable but not essential.

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
About Explore!
About Explore!

Launching in 1981, Explore offer trips from over 130 countries - from classic small group tours. Read more

Explore Leaders
Explore Leaders

Explore's leaders are more than just your typical guide. They're your local expert are are passionate about sharing their expertise with you. Read more

Where do we Stay?
Where do we Stay?

The places Explore stay are every bit as important as the sights they visit and the things you do. Read more

Trip Reviews (3) Most Recent 'Walk the Lake District' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
3 Reviews
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Walk the Lake District   0 , VIC, Australia, Sep 2024
As an introduction to the lakes area, Walk the Lake District was amazing! We had the best sunny weather ever which was unheard of for the entire week. The views were spectacular and the group of people we were with were friendly and fun to be with. The accommodation was first class and the food fantastic. Our walks guide was excellent in both gauging ...read more the fitness level of the group and history of the area. Would I recommend this to anyone? Yes, but be fit because to get the views you have to go up! Hannah was great with keeping me on track with paperwork, made it all very easy.
Great guides and hotels 1 , United Kingdom, Aug 2021
I’d walked most of the walks already and enjoyed walking them again so would be interested in guided walks to different hills. No complaint about the itinerary which was very apt for the group. The hotel was fab - I’m at the point that I’m happy to pay a bit more for a nice hotel as I don’t get that much holiday time. Poor WiFi was only an issue bc ...read more I broke my laptop en route and couldn’t action a repair, but the owner told me they will have fibre soon. The guides were fun - the banter between them kept things light. Loved the dogs on the trip too. Was good to have two guides so the large group could be split to two different levels. Scarfell Pike is just a slog. Wouldnt do it again. Confidence building I think for everyone that Duane was a member of mountain rescue. First trip with Explore and I’d defo consider another trip. Thanks.
Great trip through covid 1 , United Kingdom, Oct 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable trip even though none of the group had originally planned to be in the Lakes. The group itself was excellent as a whole and when split in the smaller 'covid' groups - lots of fun, experience, laughter and shared experiences. A real treat, well done Explore for thinking on your feet and creating this trip when we couldn't go to ...read more where we'd all planned.

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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Explore. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Explore. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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