Self-guided walking holiday in the Lake District - 4 to 7 nights
Starting on the shore of Coniston Water, this stunning and varied route takes you north past picture-perfect Tarn Hows into the atmospheric Langdale Valleys. Head over ‘Stake Pass’ for stunning mountain views then drop into the exquisite Borrowdale Valley. Meander through ancient woodland and along the shores of Derwentwater - or take the more mountainous route for fantastic, far-reaching views - to end the trip in lively Keswick.
Visiting sparkling lakes, craggy mountains, peaceful tarns, crystal clear rivers and stunning valleys, this route really is a journey through the best of the Lake District.
The route combines a mixture of linear and circular walks to really get the most out of each area that you visit and can be tailored to fit your timeframe. See full itinerary details below or get in touch with any questions about how we can make the route work for you.
SUMMARY
Number of nights: Between 4 and 7 nights, to suit you (see full itinerary details below).
Price: From £585 per person for four nights, from £895 for seven nights (based on two people sharing a double or twin room).
Amount of walking: The full seven night itinerary includes:
Three days of linear/hotel-to-hotel walking as follows:
Coniston to Great Langdale via Tarn Hows and Elterwater, 17.5km/11 miles (400m ascent).
Great Langdale to Rosthwaite via Stake Pass and the Langstrath valley, 14.5km/9 miles (430m ascent).
Rosthwaite to Keswick via the Derwentwater shoreline, 14km/8.75 miles (185m ascent). Higher level alternative via the summits of High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells, 14.5km/9 miles, 760m ascent).
Circular walk options as follows:
From Coniston, lower level walk through Grizedale Forest to Hawkshead of 13km/8 miles (400m ascent) or higher level walk up the Old Man of Coniston of 15km/9.5 miles (925m ascent).
From Great Langdale, lower level walk through the Great and Little Langdale Valleys, passing Blea Tarn, Slater Bridge and Cathedral Cavern, 14.5km/9 miles (465m ascent) or higher level walk up the Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell, 15km/9.5 miles (1,090m ascent).
From Keswick, head to the summit of Walla Crag, past pretty Ashness Bridge and along the shore of Derwentwater, 11.5km/7 miles (390m ascent).
Difficulty level: 6/10 to 9/10, depending on route choices.
Terrain: A varied mixture of lakeshore, farmland, woodland, riverside and rockier mountain paths. On the standard routes, the vast majority of paths are well-defined and easy to follow. If you choose to do the higher level routes you will find paths that are trickier underfoot and less defined in places.
Accommodation: Start your trip in a large inn built of traditional Lakeland slate set on the shores of Coniston Water with great views of the surrounding mountains. Next up is another traditional Lakeland slate building, now a small hotel set in one of the most dramatic locations of any accommodation in the Lake District, right at the base of the famous Langdale Pikes. Over in Borrowdale you will stay in an historic inn turned boutique hotel, with charming rooms, high quality food and lots of nooks and crannies to recharge in after a day’s walking. Your final stop in Keswick is in a Victorian villa turned boutique hotel, with lovely views and a peaceful location on the edge of Keswick but only a couple of minutes’ walk from the bustling centre.
CONTACT US TO BOOK THIS TRIP OR FIND OUT MORE
Itinerary - 7 night version
Day 1 - Arrive at your inn right on the shores of Coniston Water. Relax in the vast lakeside beer garden, enjoy one of our recommended short walks, potter around the village or consider a boat ride or hiring a canoe or paddleboard on the lake.
Day 2 - You have two options for your circular walk from Coniston:
Low Level - Head up the slopes of Monk Coniston Moor and through the northern end of the vast Grizedale Forest to drop down into the chocolate box village of Hawkshead. Long famous for its connections to William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, Hawkshead is a popular spot where you can spend time sampling some of the many pubs and cafes and pottering around the independent shops before heading back through rolling farmland and more pretty woodland to Coniston.
High Level - Tackle a real Lake District classic by climbing the Old Man of Coniston! Leave Coniston along Church Beck and climb up to the mountain tarn of Low Water, sitting in its dramatic, rocky amphitheatre, before a steep pull brings you to the summit of the ‘Old Man’. An airy ridge walk provides stunning views as you head for the second and third summits of the day - Brim Fell and Swirl How. Drop down the craggy ‘Prison Band’ and pass Levers Water before reaching Coniston Coppermines. This old mining area is a fascinating spot for a look around the old mine workings and machinery, including a small heritage exhibit, before following the other side of Church Beck back to the village.
Day 3 - Linear walk from Coniston into the Great Langdale Valley. A charming and varied day through the delightful scenery of the central Lakes. Meander through ancient woodland before tracking the shore of picture-perfect Tarn Hows. Here there is an option for a short extension to the summit of Black Crag for wide-reaching views. After passing pretty Colwith Force and Skelwith Bridge (with the option to stop at the excellent Chesters cafe), you stroll along the River Brathay to reach the village of Elterwater - home to a classic Lakeland inn! The final part of the day takes you up into the Great Langdale Valley, with the scenery becoming more and more dramatic until you reach your hotel at the base of the Langdale Pikes.
Day 4 - You have two options for your circular walk from Great Langdale:
Low Level - A circular walk around the beautiful Great and Little Langdale Valleys. Start with the only real hill of the day to reach peaceful Blea Tarn before dropping down into Little Langdale, where you can visit the fascinating Cathedral Quarry and cross famously beautiful Slater Bridge. Pass through the hamlet of Little Langdale (with a great option for a pub stop at the Three Shires) before climbing back into Great Langdale and enjoying a lovely ramble though Baysbrown wood and along the fellside - with great views of the surrounding mountains - back to your hotel.
High Level - Take on a big mountain day (if the weather is with you - not advised in poor visibility), following Oxendale Beck to the very head of Great Langdale and climbing steeply out of the valley to eventually emerge onto the rocky ridge known as the ‘Crinkle Crags’. Consider tackling the short scramble over the ‘Bad Step’ (or take the more straightforward detour around it) and follow the path as it rollercoasters up and down over several distinct rocky summits (each known as a ‘crinkle’). Dropping down to ‘Three Tarns’, you have the option to take on another imposing summit in Bow Fell before descending the ridge known as ‘the Band’ back into Great Langdale. Stunning and far reaching views accompany you all day in clear weather.
Day 5 - Linear walk from Great Langdale to Borrowdale. Today takes you up the dramatic and peaceful Mickleden Valley before a steady climb up and over ‘Stake Pass’, which offers not only great views and a feeling of remoteness, but also a real sense of history, as it was been used as an important packhorse route for hundreds of years. Dropping down into Borrowdale, you end your day with a relaxed stretch along beautiful Langstrath and Stonethwaite Becks (with a couple of options for refreshing cold water dips, if that is your cup of tea!).
Day 6 - You have two options for your linear walk from Rosthwaite to Keswick:
Low level - A wonderful and varied low level linear route, taking you through what Alfred Wainwright described as ‘England’s loveliest square mile’. Follow the infant River Derwent as it flows towards Derwentwater, passing through meadows and ancient woodland, with the options to visit Millican Dalton’s Cave (where the self-styled ‘professor of adventure’ lived during the summer for several decades!) or take a short detour to the summit of Castle Crag - the smallest mountain classified as a ‘Wainwright’ but still offering fantastic, wide-ranging views. You soon rejoin the river and follow it to the village of Grange before crossing meadows and wetland to reach the shore of Derwentwater. An easy stretch along the wooded shoreline takes you to the Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden and the village of Portinscale. From here, it is a short walk into Keswick.
High Level - After briefly tracking the infant River Derwent you quickly leave it to climb steeply up Tongue Gill, with its old climbers hut and mining remains, to join the eastern ridge of the Newlands Valley. Follow the ridge over the summits of High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells, with stunning views throughout. Drop down off Cat Bells to join a gentle stretch of the Cumbria Way footpath through woodland and meadows, passing the popular Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden (a good spot for a well-earned break!) and reaching the village of Portinscale. From here, it is a sort walk into Keswick.
Day 7 - Your circular walk from Keswick soon has you climbing away from the town through woodland to emerge on the open fellside heading quickly towards the summit of Walla Crag, which offers stunning views over Derwentwater, down Borrowdale and to the Skiddaw range. Drop down from the fell tops to pretty Ashness Bridge before circling back towards Keswick on a lower level route, still with fantastic views across the lake and soon joining the lakeshore itself for the last stretch back into town. Shorter walk options or other activities are available in Keswick if you would prefer a more restful day!
Day 8 - Enjoy a last, well-earned breakfast before heading home!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Four to seven nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis;
Luggage transfer;
Detailed walking notes;
A route-marked OS map;
Detailed information about your trip on your personal webpage, including our guide to places to visit and eat and drink on your route;
A welcome box waiting for you on arrival at your first hotel, containing your hard copy map and route notes along with a few other bits and pieces to help you enjoy your trip!
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Packed lunches (these can be ordered 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.
