self-guided walking holiday in the Lake District - 4 to 6 nights
A trip of two halves – use your first base, right on the northern tip of Lake Windermere, to access the beautiful scenery that surrounds the bustling town of Ambleside. Options include heading into the hills for sweeping views over the surrounding lakes and mountains or taking the ferry for a relaxed walk on the peaceful western side of Windermere, where you will visit some of Beatrix Potter’s favourite spots!
A stunning and varied linear route takes you into the dramatic Great Langdale Valley, your second base, from where you can climb the famous Langdale Pikes for vast views over an array of Lake District summits, or enjoy a lower level circuit of the twin valleys of Great and Little Langdale, taking in sparkling tarns, old quarries, crystal clear rivers and streams, idyllic woodland and beautiful views.
Summary
Number of nights: 4 nights as standard. Variations between 3 and 6 nights available.
Price: From £510 per person for four nights (based on two people sharing a double or twin room). Three to six night versions also available.
Amount of walking: Optional circular routes from Ambleside of 10km (590m ascent) and 11km (360m ascent); linear route from Ambleside to Great Langdale of 13.5km (260m ascent) with option to extend to 15km (415m ascent); optional circular routes from Great Langdale of 14km (500m ascent) and 12.5km (860m ascent).
Options for gentler and more challenging routes also available - just ask for details.
Difficulty level: Various walking options available ranging from 4/10 to 9/10!
Terrain: A mixture of fields, tracks, lanes and open fellside. All routes are on clear paths but can be rocky and uneven. If you go for the higher level routes, some sections will be steep and require more care underfoot.
Accommodation: Stay in a popular inn right by the shore of Windermere at ‘Waterhead’ on the edge of the lively town of Ambleside. Then move on to a small hotel built of traditional lakeland slate set in one of the most dramatic locations of any accommodation in the Lake District, right at the base of the famous Langdale Pikes. For full details of the accommodation included on each of our routes see our accommodation page.
CONTACT US TO BOOK THIS TRIP OR FIND OUT MORE
Itinerary - 4 night example
Day 1 - Arrive at your base in Waterhead, right on the northern tip of Windermere and in easy reach of the bustling centre of Ambleside, with its great selection of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. If time allows, spend some time exploring the town and admiring the dramatic landscape that surrounds it, or consider taking a trip out onto the lake in a rowing or motor boat! Short walk options provided.
Day 2 - You have two options of circular walks to do from your door in Waterhead:
Low Level - Start your day with a short ferry ride to the western shore of Windermere at Wray Castle. After admiring the castle and grounds, enjoy a gentle stroll along the lakeshore before heading up into the wooded slopes of Claife Heights. Emerge onto undulating farmland, dotted with sparkling tarns and surrounded by stunning views of the fells. Drop down into the pretty village of Near Sawrey and meander through meadows and woodland to visit Claife Viewing Station before getting the ferry back to Waterhead.
This route allows you to visit many places that were of importance to Beatrix Potter, who visited the Lakes from childhood and spent much of her adult life living in the area, including Wray Castle, Moss Eccles Tarn and her former home of Hill Top in Near Sawrey.
High Level - Pretty paths lead you quickly out of Ambleside to make the short sharp climb up to the summit of Wansfell Pike. The steepness of the route means great views back over Ambleside and the surrounding mountains open up quickly, giving lots of excuses to take a breather, and the stunning view down Windermere from the top is well worth the effort! The route then winds back down the fell into the charming hillside village of Troutbeck - a great lunch stop with two pubs and a cafe, and an interesting National Trust property to visit. The gentler return leg circles around the lower slopes of Wansfell on lovely tracks, with wonderful views over Windermere most of the way, before finishing the day through pretty Skelghyll Wood.
Day 3 - A beautiful and varied linear route takes you from Ambleside to the peace and remoteness of the Great Langdale valley. The day starts by climbing the slopes of Loughrigg Fell, then skirts the fell to reach picture-perfect Loughrigg Tarn, with views to the Langdale Pikes, which then accompany you most of the way. Dropping down to Skelwith Bridge, you’ll have a lovely gentle stretch along the River Brathay to Elterwater and then head into the steep sided Langdale Valley, following Great Langdale Beck along the valley floor to reach your base for the next two nights.
Those who prefer a more strenuous day can detour up to the summit of Loughrigg Fell for a great 360 degree view taking in Windermere, Loughrigg Tarn, Elterwater, Esthwaite Water and Grasmere as well as many surrounding fells including the Fairfield Horseshoe, the Langdale Pikes, the Crinkle Crags and Heron Pike, among others - not a bad reward for a hill of only 335m! The steep descent joins back up to the main route at Loughrigg Tarn.
Day 4 - You have two options of circular walks to do from your door in Great Langdale:
Low Level - A wonderful, varied day that gets the only real climb of the day out of the way early on as you zig-zag up the lower slopes of Side Pike to reach gorgeous Blea Tarn. Follow pretty Blea Moss Beck into the Little Langdale Valley. Pass Little Langdale Tarn and visit Slater Bridge - probably the prettiest bridge in the Lakes! - and visit the fascinating remains of Cathedral Quarry before considering a well-earned break at the village pub in Little Langdale. A small climb out of the village allows you to head back into Great Langdale and enjoy a lovely stretch through woodland and then along the lower slopes of Lingmoor Fell, with beautiful views across the valley, which only improve as you get closer to your finishing point at the base of the Langdale Pikes.
High Level - A steep start to the day takes you up gorgeous Stickle Ghyll, with the beck tumbling down the fellside in pretty cascades as you climb higher to emerge at Stickle Tarn, with its dramatic setting, backed by the imposing cliff of Pavey Ark. The route loops around the cliff to reach each of the Langdale Pikes summits - Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle and Pike o’ Stickle - before continuing along the ridge to the Stake Pass and zig-zagging down Stake Ghyll into the peaceful Mickleden Valley. A gentle stroll along Mickleden Beck and the valley floor takes you back to the start. An absolutely classic day in the Lake District Fells!
Day 5 - Enjoy a last, well-earned breakfast before taking the bus back to Waterhead to collect your car and head home (option to arrange a taxi also available).
NB: This trip is of variable length up to six nights, which would allow you to do all of the options mentioned above. We also have gentler and more strenuous options available for each day, so just ask for more information.
Looking for more of a challenge?
If you want some bigger days out in the hills and to take on some classic Lakeland challenges, that is not a problem. Let us know and we can provide route details for some longer, tougher (but incredibly rewarding) hikes directly from your accommodation.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Three to six nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis;
Luggage transfer;
Detailed walking notes;
A route-marked OS map; and
The ‘Muddy Boots Survival Pack’ including our guide to places to visit and eat and drink on your route.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Packed lunches (or order these the night before at your accommodation).
A taxi from the end of the route back to the start to collect your car (if you prefer this to taking the bus).
Additional nights accommodation.
A personal guide for some or all of your trip.