Heart of the Lake District

The route is suitable for most regular hikers.

Before your tour, we recommend walking regularly and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Be sure check the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

The route is a mix of rocky paths, well trodden footpaths, forest, lakeside and woodland trails. There will be some short sections on country lanes. Some of the paths can become muddy and boggy after rain, but the majority are well maintained.

The ascent of Helm Crag is steep, but the paths are clearly defined with rock steps or zigzag paths. The ascent of Catbells, whilst not too strenuous is graded a ‘moderate’. On this walk there is a section before reaching the summit which involves some light scrambling where you may need to steady yourself with your hands.

This tour is graded easy. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests. One optional ascent, for example, is graded moderate due to a short, sharp climb with some light scrambling near the summit and a couple of steep drop-offs, though you're always free to turn back if it's not for you.

Accommodation on this tour is in B&Bs, small hotels and guesthouses, specifically chosen so you enjoy every minute of your stay, each offering a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality.

You can add extra nights at any of the bases along this route - Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick are all lovely places to slow down. Ambleside makes a great base near Lake Windermere, with the chance to explore more Beatrix Potter sights such as the museum in Bowness, while Keswick is a good spot to head out and discover more walks.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

A hearty breakfast is included each morning - most guesthouses and B&Bs offer a continental spread alongside a cooked breakfast, which should keep you going for the day ahead. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from what's available. Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch on request, and dinner can be enjoyed at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

This tour can be enjoyed in spring, summer or fall. Spring is a lovely time to visit, with fewer crowds and daffodils in bloom, plus fluffy lambs dotted around the pastures. Summer is a little busier but still very enjoyable, while fall brings quieter trails and some beautiful foliage colors - September and October in particular are often overlooked but make for a gorgeous time to visit. The Lake District is one of the wettest regions in England and rain can fall at any time of year, so come prepared with good waterproofs whenever you travel. You can start on any date that suits your plans, subject to availability.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

Not all paths are waymarked on this tour, but we provide comprehensive route notes and maps to help you find your way. The walks we've selected are fairly low-level and not too difficult to navigate, though in poor weather it's worth taking extra care and only continuing if you feel comfortable doing so.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the start

The closest regional airport to Ambleside is Manchester, from where you can take the train to Windermere (about 2 hours 15 minutes) and then a local bus on to Ambleside (about 20 minutes). Ambleside is also easily reached by train via Windermere from London (about 3 hours), Manchester (about 2 hours) or Glasgow (about 2 hours). From Windermere, the Lakeslink 555 bus runs regularly to Ambleside, or it's a 10-minute taxi ride. If you're driving, parking is very limited in Ambleside, though seven-day passes are available for some of the car parks - see the Traveline website for details. Traveline is our recommended resource for bus and connecting train timetables, and is best for checking train times and bookings (note that timetables and tickets are usually only available within 12 weeks of travel).

Getting from the end

If you left a car in Ambleside, you can return via the Lakeslink 555 bus from Keswick (about 50 minutes). From Keswick, bus services run to Penrith (about 40 minutes), with onward train options to Manchester, London or Glasgow. Traveline is again the best resource for bus and connecting train timetables.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

If you're keen to visit Hill Top, the Beatrix Potter house, note that it tends to be closed on Fridays for much of the year. Check the official opening times in advance if you don't want to miss it on your walking day.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation