Template

MASTER TEMPLATE - Highlights of The Lake District

Number of Travellers: 2

Duration: 9 Days / 8 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 in relaxed, friendly company. 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.

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 - The Heart of The Lake District

Meet your expert Wilderness guide this afternoon and begin your adventure into the heart of the Lake District National Park. As you wind your way through the bucolic landscape, enjoy stunning views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding mountainous peaks, before arriving at your bespoke hotel. Nestled at the entrance of the breathtaking Langdale Valley, it’s the perfect base to explore this beautiful, wild region of England. With your guide, head out for a short stroll to Blea Tarn where you’ll be rewarded with picturesque views of the Langdale Pikes, later enjoying a lovely dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Day 2 - Lingmoor Fell & Cathedral Caves

After a relaxed breakfast, head out to hike the quiet, heather-cloaked peak of Lingmoor Fell. While only 469m, its isolated nature means you’ll enjoy spectacular and uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. From the summit, Coniston Fells, Crinkle Crags, and the Langdale Pikes dominate the skyline; while the valleys of Great and Little Langdale provide a beautiful expanse of contrasting colour below. Later this afternoon, enjoy a visit to Cathedral Quarry – a fascinating network of twisting tunnels and eerily lit caves that lead to a cavernous chamber known as the ‘Cathedral’.

Day 3 - The Langdale Pikes

As morning dew lifts from the fields, fill up your flasks and head out for another rewarding hike in the heart of the Lakes. As famous English hillwalker and author Alfred Wainwright writes: “No mountain profile in Lakeland arrests and excites the attention more than that of the Langdale Pikes”. The pikes sit proudly above our pretty hotel in the Great Langdale Valley, their craggy domed tops a welcome invitation. We’ll hike Pavey Ark, Thuncar Knott, Pike of Stickle, Harrison Stickle and Loft Crag; finishing a brilliant day in a cosy pub with a locally brewed pint.

Day 4 - The Scafell Massif Loop

For our final day in the Southern Lakes, we head toward the impressive Scafell Pike – England’s highest peak at 978m. We’ll follow a well worn track into the wide glacial valley of Mickleden, before crossing the beck heading to Esk Hause, to begin the ascent. As you walk, enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the Lakes – ridges that splinter into precipitous crags and slopes ribboned by tongues of dark water. Rossett Pike is our first Wainwright peak of the day, giving us fine views of Langdale. The option of encompassing Great End and Scafell Pike is also on the cards, before continuing around the tarn to tick off Bow Fell. Dinner this evening is well earned and no doubt will have a celebratory air after a wonderful day in the hills.

Day 5 - Lake Windermere & Loughrigg Fell

The window ajar, wake to the sound of birdsong. After a cup of fresh coffee, enjoy a scenic drive to Lake Windermere – the largest natural lake in England. Upon arrival, enjoy a visit to the Windermere Jetty Museum.l Opened in 2019 by King Charles, the museum chronicles the history of sailing on Windermere and includes a unique collection of boats, one of which is the oldest sailing yacht in the UK. Afterwards, take a cruise on one of the beautiful steamers, sitting back and relaxing as the views unfurl beyond the bow. Later this afternoon, enjoy another hike en route to your next hotel, which is tucked in the folds of the idyllic Borrowdale Valley.

Day 6 - Blencathra

As the morning sun streams in, zip up your jacket, lace up your boots and join your guide to hike up Blencathra, one of the most northerly hills in the Lake District. As you begin to walk, listen out for the electronic call of lapwings and the cat-like ‘kee-yaa’ of buzzards. Take a break just below the summit at Scales Tarn, a lovely spot to enjoy a warm drink and a good snack before the final ascent to the summit. From the top, soak up the stunning views before descending the impressive ridgeline back down into the green lock of the valley. This evening, enjoy an aperitif in the aromatic gardens and a delicious dinner in good company.

Day 7 - The Coledale Round

Today, enjoy hiking the Coledale Horseshoe – a classic walk which traverses a glacial hanging valley and encompasses many of the Wainwright Fells including Grisedale Pike, Grasmoor and Causey Pike. As you walk, chat with your guide about the local flora and fauna of the area, looking out for the silhouette of red kites passing over the springy heather. With the sweeping ridgeline drawing your eye, enjoy the amazing views across this beautiful part of England. With plenty of time to stop and take photos, enjoy the peaceful tranquillity of the quiet hills, stopping for a picnic lunch in the dappled sunshine. Zig-zag your way back down and finish the day in Coledale Inn, a traditional country inn with open fires and locally brewed beer.

Day 8 - Haystacks, Wainwrights Favourite Peak

After breakfast this morning, strike out to enjoy a walk up Haystacks. Known to be Wainwright’s favourite fell, after his death in 1991, his ashes were scattered in the smalll tarn found in its uppermost reaches. Our circular route will take us from the breathtaking sheer-sided valley of Buttermere up to the large undulating summit. The first part of the walk climbs quickly and is marked by little cairns, once on the ridge the views are far-reaching and vast, mountain tops hazy and lavender tinged in the light. We’ll celebrate a week of exciting summit bagging at the top before descending to our cosy hotel for a final celebratory meal.

Day 9 - Depart

Enjoy the scenic views that unfold beyond the window as you wind your way back through Borrowdale Valley and the northern fells towards Penrith. Arrive at Penrith station at noon, and say goodbye to your Wilderness guide. Hop on the train to continue your adventure or begin your journey home.