Lake District Hiking Adventure

Spring 2024

Number of Travellers: 6
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Overview

Join your expert Wilderness guide on a trip that winds its way through the enchanting Lake District National Park. A landscape of narrow, glaciated valleys and steep-sided, heather-cloaked mountains, it’s a wonderful place to explore on foot. Spend time hiking along ridgelines gilded in syrupy sunshine and through verdant fields crisscrossed by drystone walls. Enjoy staying in bespoke, hand-picked accommodation and eating fresh, seasonally-inspired meals. Listen for lapwings and curlews, as you keep an eye out for roe deer and chat to your guide about the history and heritage of the region. Where the peaks are reflected in the mirrored lakes and the views are far-reaching and vast, enjoy the peace that comes from spending time in wide open spaces, in the great outdoors.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Welcome to The Lake District | Overnight: Ullswater

Day 2 | Ullswater Steamer and Glenridding Hike | Overnight: Ullswater

Day 3 | Honister Slate Mine and Sheepdog Experience | Overnight: Ullswater

Day 4 | Derwent Water and Lakes Distillery | Overnight: Ullswater

Day 5 | Beatrix Potter and Lingholm Estate | Overnight: Ullswater

Day 6 | Dove Cottage and Hike Rydal Water | Overnight: Windermere

Day 7 | Lake Windermere to Claife Heights | Overnight: Windermere

Day 8 | Hiking Elterwater and Afternoon Tea | Overnight: Windermere

Day 9 | Wansfell Pike and Stargazing | Overnight: Windermere

Day 10 | Shap Abbey and Depart

Highlights

  • Hike through the spectacular natural beauty of the Lake District National Park
  • Learn about the history, culture and traditions of the region from your expert guide
  • Relax in independent, bespoke accommodation, carefully chosen for their warm hospitality

Day by Day

Day 1 - Welcome to The Lake District

Meet your expert Wilderness guide in Penrith this morning and begin your adventure into the heart of the Lake District National Park. Along the way, enjoy a short but stunning hike to the picturesque Aira Force Waterfall – winding your way through old leafy woodland to where rushing water thunders into a deep pool below. Afterwards, continue to your beautiful accommodation, Another Place, which is nestled on the shores of Ullswater. Take some time to settle in before enjoying a delicious dinner this evening.

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Ullswater Steamer and Glenridding Hike

After breakfast, enjoy a tranquil voyage on the Ullswater steamer, gliding across the iridescent lake and soaking up the wonderful views that unfurl beyond the bow. Venture ashore at Glenridding, a charming village surrounded by fells that climb steeply towards the sky. After coffee and cake, join your guide for a stunning circular hike to Lanty’s Tarn and to the small knoll of Keldas which offers sweeping views across the wild landscape. Return to your lovely accommodation this evening and enjoy a cool drink in the garden.

 

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Honister Slate Mine and Sheepdog Experience

Transfer west through the rolling green fields this morning to visit Honister Slate Mine, the last working slate mine in England. Enjoy a fascinating underground tour, discovering the captivating world beneath the rugged Lakes landscape. This afternoon, meet a local farmer and his incredible working sheepdogs. Surrounded by beautiful old barns, dry stone walls and flowering hedgerows, join them for a ramble, watching the dogs work and learning about the history of sheep farming and the indispensable role working dogs play in this traditional way of life.

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Derwent Water and Lakes Distillery

Head out into the morning sunshine to Derwent Water – colloquially referred to as ‘Queen of the Lakes’ because of the way it’s cradled by the surrounding fells. Hop on a little boat and nip across the smooth water, disembarking at Ashness for a beautiful walk to the famous Ashness Bridge and Surprise View before ending at the remote hamlet of Watendlath and Watendlath Tarn. After lunch, ribbon your way north to visit Lakes Distillery, a renovated old Victorian farmstead on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake and enjoy a tour and a tasting. With rosy cheeks, return to your cosy hotel this evening and relax.

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Beatrix Potter and Lingholm Estate

Today, enjoy a mellow day, heading out this morning to visit the fascinating and quirky Pencil Museum. Continue to Lingholm Estate, the favoured holiday home of Beatrix Potter who spent ten summers here between 1885 and 1907. A delightful place to spend some time, enjoy exploring the walled garden, say hello to the friendly alpacas and enjoy lunch in the sun-dappled restaurant. Later this afternoon, head back to your hotel and enjoy some free time. Perhaps try your hand at archery on the lawn or simply put your feet up with a good book. Gather back together this evening and enjoy another delicious dinner.

 

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Dove Cottage and Hike Rydal Water

As syrupy sunshine spills across the fields, travel south to the picturesque village of Grasmere and immerse yourself in the region’s rich literary heritage. Visit Dove Cottage, the former home of renowned poet William Wordsworth, and pay homage at his final resting place. Afterwards, you may wish to enjoy a walk around Rydal Water, passing by Rydal Cave, where stepping stones across the smooth water disappear into the dark. This evening, sink into the luxurious comfort of The Gilpin Hotel and enjoy a delicious meal.

Overnight: Windermere | Gilpin Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Lake Windermere to Claife Heights

Today, head out with your guide to the western shores of Lake Windermere – the largest lake in England and a place of arresting beauty. Begin by wandering along the wooded shoreline, before winding your way up to a number of dark, shimmering tarns (small mountain lakes). The views are captivating as you look out across Coniston Fells, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. Follow the wide grassy track to Moss Eccles Tarn, one of Beatrix Potter’s favourite places and where she spent much of her time painting Peter Rabbit and her other characters. Return to your hotel this evening, relaxing in the spring sunshine with a cool drink before dinner.

Overnight: Windermere | Gilpin Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Hiking Elterwater and Afternoon Tea

Head out this morning and wind your way on slender tarmac roads, by fields crisscrossed by drystone walls and contentedly grazing sheep, to arrive in Elterwater. Enjoy a circular hike which meanders along the banks of Great Langdale Beck and back beneath the rocky crags of Lingmoor Fell. Look out for meadow pipets and listen out for blackbirds, chatting with your guide about the flora and fauna of the area. This afternoon, enjoy a well-earned and traditional afternoon tea, sipping on hot Earl Grey and tucking into fluffy scones fat with cream and jam. Return to the Gilpin later this afternoon and enjoy a mellow evening.

 

Overnight: Windermere | Gilpin Hotel

Day 9 - Wansfell Pike and Stargazing

Your penultimate day features a true cracker of a hike. Wansfell Pike is a stunning walk, and the views from the summit are simply breathtaking. Boots laced, flasks filled and snacks packed, join your guide to wind your way above Ambleside, following a relatively steep but well-built path towards the peak. Enjoy the beautiful views, the fresh air and the sense of freedom and joy that comes from spending time outdoors. From the top, you can look out across the landscape that you have spent your trip exploring. This evening, after dinner, step outside into the inky darkness to star-gaze in the clear, glittering sky.

Overnight: Windermere | Gilpin Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Shap Abbey and Depart

As the smell of hot, fresh coffee wafts through the quiet rooms, enjoy a relaxing breakfast before hopping in with your guide to begin your journey home. Depending on your onward travel plans, you may wish to enjoy another lovely walk en route back to Penrith. There’s the option to visit Shap Abbey, which stands in a picturesque setting by the River Lowther. Built in 1199, it was the last Abbey to be founded in England and the last to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. There are also standing stones close by, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect to the history of the land before you return home.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable UK qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Ground transportation from Day 1 to Day 10
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Ullswater Steamer Tickets
  • Entry to Honister Slate Mine, Dove Cottage and Derwent Pencil Museum
  • Lakes Distillery Tour Tickets
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • Map and trip dossier
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions

Lake District Hiking Adventure

Spring 2024