8 Days & 7 Nights

4.6

The Lake District Round

Discover the dramatic landscapes of the English Lake District
View the unfolding vistas through the eyes of Wordsworth and Ruskin
Relax in cosy and friendly Lakeland country inns
Wander ‘as lonely as a cloud’ as you traverse dramatic mountain passes
Gaze up at Skafell Pike, England’s highest mountain

This self guided circular walk takes you deep into the heart of the English Lake District. From the foot-dipping charms of Windermere and Coniston Water, the route travels onward through the rugged fells visiting eight of the famous lakes in total. Starting in Ambleside with it’s literary legacy of poets and writers the route traverses mountain passes following in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter and her charming characters. The dominating peaks of the Old Man of Coniston, looming Skafell Pike, rugged Skiddaw and brooding Helvellyn are some highlights of this Lakeland Fells walk.

From £1,139.00

Select Date Enquire Tour Brochure

Gallery

All Photos (9)

Itinerary

Expand all

Day 1: Arrive Ambleside

Ambleside is a bustling lakeside town and a great location for your starting point on your adventure through the Lake District.

Overnight Ambleside

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Lacet House | Bed and breakfast

A warm welcome awaits you at Lacet House. They have 5 rooms in total all of which overlook White Platts recreational park. All rooms are tastefully decorated either traditional or contemporary design and have black out blinds, flatscreen TV, hairdryer and central heating.

Brantfell House | Bed and breakfast

Brantfell House provides accommodation set within a renovated Victorian house. The property has 5 rooms - all rooms have flat screen TV/ DVD players, tea and coffee making facilities and modern en-suite shower rooms.

Wateredge Inn | Bed and breakfast, Country Inn

The Wateredge Inn is a beautiful country inn offering comfy beds, great food and drink and wonderful views over Lake Windermere. All their rooms are stylish, modern and comfortable, with views of the lake available but they still retain the classic charm of the old building.

Day 2: Ambleside to Coniston 12 miles / 19 km

Leaving Ambleside the first day’s walk is an exhilarating climb up Loughrigg Fell affording panoramic views north to Grasmere Lake

Passing through the woods of Tarns Hows with the Langdale Pikes rising in the distance you will be walking in the footsteps of revered one time resident writer Beatrix Potter. Take some time out to look out over Coniston Water to Arthur Ransome’s ‘Wild Cat Island’, made famous in his adventurous ‘Swallows and Amazons’. The lake has inspired many writers and artists including John Ruskin whose final resting place is in the St Andrew’s churchyard in the village.

Ascent: 550m / Descent: 550m

Overnight Coniston

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Crown Inn | Inn

The Crown Inn has 12 en-suite bedrooms, all rooms are centrally heated and have high quality mattresses, televisions, coffee and tea making facilities, hair dryers and direct dial telephones. Whilst staying at The Crown Inn all guests receive complimentary usage of Langdale Leisure Club, which has a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and gymnasium and is just a 15 minute taxi drive away.

Bluebird Lodge | Bed and breakfast

The Bluebird Lodge Guest House is in a quiet corner of the English Lakes and offers comfortable rooms, a warm welcome and some of the best views in the area. Situated within 15 minute stroll from the village centre of Coniston, one of Lakeland''s more typical villages, and only a short stroll to the North end of Coniston Water.

The Black Bull Inn and Hotel | Hotel, Inn

The Black Bull Inn and Hotel was built around 400 years ago as a coaching Inn providing accommodation for travellers, coachmen and horses. The Inn is situated beside the beck and in the shadow of the ‘Old Man’ mountain. They have 15 comfortable bedrooms each with bath/shower ensuite, colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities, hair-dryer, full central heating and double glazing. The character of the rooms and inn has however still been retained.

Day 3: Coniston to Boot 12.5 miles / 20 km

From Coniston the route initially follows the Walna Scar packhorse drove road in the shadow of the Old Man Of Coniston, the highest point in the Furness Fells at 2,634ft (803m). The trail then drops into the wide peaceful Duddon Valley, home to soaring buzzards and decorated by violets and bluebells in spring.

Moving into valley of Eskdale beneath the rocky tors of Harter Fell you come to the village of Boot, it’s name deriving from the old English for ‘bend in the valley’.

Ascent: 910m / Descent: 890m

Overnight Boot

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Woolpack Inn | Bed and breakfast

The Woolpack Inn is one of Cumbria’s most famous inns. All the rooms have TVs with digital channels, a hot drinks tray, hairdryer and gorgeous Arran Aromatics bathroom goodies. They serve brilliant breakfasts with plenty of choice, using the best local produce.

Stanley House | Bed and breakfast

Please check in at Stanley House’s sister property the Woolpack Inn Once you are checked in the lovely owners will drive you down to Stanley House which is a 2 minute drive away. The Woolpack Inn lies a mile or so along the road towards the Hardknott Pass and is noted in your guidebook.

Brook House Inn | Country Inn

Brook House Inn has 8 en-suite bedrooms, tastefully furnished and recently decorated to a high standard, all rooms have a bath with shower over, colour TV, DVD player, tea making facilities and wonderful views of Eskdale. Wifi is available in some areas of the Inn. A drying room is provided for boots and waterproofs.

Day 4: Boot to Buttermere 12.5 miles / 20 km

Moving north with the peak of Skafell Pike, England’s highest mountain at 3,209ft (978m) , on your right hand side, the trail takes you to past the pure waters of Wastwater, England’s deepest lake.

The route then takes you up the dramatic Black Sail Pass affording views of Haystacks, Wainwright’s favourite mountain, and through the Scarth Gap Pass The village of Buttermere is a delight, situated in verdant meadows between Crummock Water and Buttermere Lake.

Ascent: 965m / Descent: 915m

Overnight Buttermere

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Bridge Hotel | Hotel

The Bridge Hotel has been owned and managed by the McGuire family for over 30 years and is renowned for warm hospitality, comfort and personal service, which is complimented by excellent local and international cuisine. The hotel has 21 individually designed bedrooms, all of which have superb en-suite facilities, are well furnished and constantly upgraded. Televisions and radios are not provided because of poor local reception due to the surrounding fells - the majority of guests consider this a distinct advantage!

Wood House | Bed and breakfast

You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check in at Wood House B&B. Rooms are individually furnished and have all the amenities required for a relaxing overnight stay and the rooms also have panoramic views over the lake.

Buttermere Court Hotel

The Buttermere Court Hotel is a family run hotel offering a comfortable and informal base from which to explore The Lake District. Nestled between two lakes, Buttermere and Crummock with views towards Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and Red Pike are just a short stroll from the hotel.

Day 5: Buttermere to Keswick 14 miles / 22 km

Today’s starts with a walk along the lapping shores of Crummock Water with the crags of Mellbreak to your left and then marvel at the Force Crag waterfalls before heading down into the deep Coledale Valley toward the traditional Cumberland village of Braithwaite.

Follow the narrow winding streets out of the village through the pastoral Newlands Valley to the market town of Keswick. Literary connections include Coleridge who moved here in 1800 and collaborated with Wordsworth.

Ascent: 540m / Descent: 580m

Overnight Keswick

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Highfield Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

Highfield in Keswick is a charming and elegant guest house located in the heart of Keswick. The Hotel offers a blend of Victorian architecture with modern amenities.

All of The Highfield’s bedrooms have been thoughtfully restored to offer the highest quality hotel accommodation.

Skiddaw Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The four-star Skiddaw Hotel is set in the picturesque market town of Keswick. Each of the 43 en-suite bedrooms offers a high standard of comfort and has all the amenities you would expect from a good hotel.

Keswick Park Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The Keswick Park was built in 1880 as a traditional Lakeland/Cumbrian slate house near the centre of Keswick. In the 1970's it was converted to a comfortable Guest House. It is conveniently located for bed and breakfast only 200 metres level walk from Keswick town centre, the "Queen of the northern Lake District".

Day 6: Keswick to Patterdale 14 miles / 22 km

A real highlight of the day’s walk is the Castlerigg Stone Circle just east of Keswick, described as ‘one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain’.

Entering the wide glacial valley of St John’s in the Vale a steep ascent follows the remote Sticks Pass with the peak of Helvellyn to the south. You are rewarded with views ahead to Ullswater as you follow the path down Glenridding to the village of the same name. A little further along is the charming village of Patterdale. Situated on the shores of peaceful Ullswater you may catch sight of England’s last golden eagle soaring along the ridges of the Angletarn Pikes.

Ascent: 940m / Descent: 885m

Overnight Patterdale

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Old Water View | Country Inn

Situated in the delightful village of Patterdale, and surrounded by some of Lakeland’s most magnificent scenery, The Old Water View has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years. All guest bedrooms are tastefully decorated and furnished to a high standard. They offer comfortable, central heated accommodation, with all modern conveniences, including TV, USB sockets, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi and tea/coffee making facilities.

Crookabeck | Bed and breakfast

Crookabeck Farm offers B&B accommodation in a stunning farm location in Patterdale. The B&B is in a converted old stone and slate farm building nestled under Place Fell. All bedrooms with en-suite shower room, with guest lounge and outside seating areas.

School House | Bed and breakfast

School House is a lovely B&B in the centre of Patterdale. Each room has tea and coffee-making facilities, complimentary toiletries, wifi and spectacular views from every window. They also have a drying room just in case you encounter a bit of rain on your walk.

Day 7: Patterdale to Ambleside 12 miles / 19 km

Leaving Patterdale you have an exhilarating walk as you ascend the Grisedale Pass with views back to Ullswater and the impressive craggy heights of Helvellyn fill the skyline to your right. At Grisedale Tarn you descend toward Grasmere and the famous Dove Cottage, once home to Wordsworth.

The trail continues on to the north end of Rydal Water and White Moss Common. Moving on past Rydal Mount, a further home of Wordsworth, you walk through woods before arriving in Ambleside, your final resting place for the day and the end of your Lake District Round walk.

Ascent: 525m / Descent: 605m

Overnight Ambleside

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Lacet House | Bed and breakfast

Brantfell House | Bed and breakfast

Wateredge Inn | Bed and breakfast, Country Inn

Day 8: Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 4kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 4kg is equivalent to 2.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

Expand all

Other Information

Expand all

Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 nights hand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation
Door to door baggage transfer as per itinerary
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 phone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Travel Insurance (required)
Personal Equipment
Transport when you need to skip a stage

Extras

Extra nights

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Dogs

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers do not accept pets.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.