The Lake District Trail

The route is suitable for most regular to experienced hikers with a good level of fitness as there are some long days.

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 mountain 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 Lake District is a mountain region with peaks of up to almost 1000m / 3000ft. Although our route does not ascend this high, it does cross a couple of passes at around 600-750m / 2000-2500ft. The ascents are steep with rock steps or zigzag paths. Most days will involve a couple of steep ascents and descents.

As in all mountain regions the weather can change quickly which can become disorientating. Please be prepared and check the forecasts.

Accommodation along the Lake District Trail is a mix of B&Bs, small hotels and guesthouses, chosen to give walkers a warm welcome and traditional Lakeland hospitality.

Unfortunately, this is not available to solo travelers. We can, however, offer single rooms if you are traveling with others. These are available for a supplement.

This is due to the logistics of the route rather than its difficulty.

A hearty breakfast is included each morning, with most guesthouses and B&Bs offering both a continental and a full cooked option. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the available options. Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch on request, which can be booked on arrival, and dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

This tour can be enjoyed in spring, summer or autumn. Spring is a great time to visit, as it's quieter and the flowers are in bloom, summer is busier but still enjoyable, and autumn offers a quieter experience again, with September often overlooked despite being a beautiful time of year in the Lakes. Rain can occur at any time of year in the Lake District, so come prepared with good waterproofs. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans, subject to availability, and as the region is extremely popular, it's best to book as far in advance as possible.

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 17kg/37lbs per person.

The Lake District Trail isn't extensively waymarked, so some navigation skills are useful. You'll follow route notes and a map, with GPS tracks also provided for extra reassurance.

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, about 3 hours away by train and bus. 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. The Traveline website has more information. If you're driving, parking is very limited in Ambleside, though you may be able to park at your first night's accommodation.

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 or Carlisle, with onward train options to Manchester, London or Glasgow. The Traveline website and Trainline are both useful resources for travel to and from the Lake District.

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.

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