The Lake District Short Break

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.6 Read 14 reviews

Walk in the footsteps of Wainwright to admire Lake Windermere from Orrest Head
Breathtaking panoramic view of Ullswater from the Grisedale Valley
Wander "as lonely as a cloud" as you traverse dramatic mountain passes
Enjoying the famous Cumbrian hospitality
The rugged peak of Skiddaw which dominates the skyline

This route through the English Lake District follows trails along rugged fells, up dramatic mountain passes and past peaceful lakes and tarns. Every day includes exhilarating walks with spectacular views in every direction. Wainwright described Grasmere, one of the charming villages en route as, "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found" and not only is this true here, but of many other places you will come across on this tour. Climb up to Orrest Head for fantastic views over Windermere and witness glistening Ullswater, arguably Britain’s most beautiful lake. Delight in the multitude of sublime landscapes that have inspired many writers and artists over the centuries.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

If you are looking to explore the highlights of one of the most beautiful parts of England over the course of a few days amidst mountains, fells, valleys and lakes while walking in the footsteps of many of Britain’s famous writers and poets, this is the perfect choice. At the end of each exhilarating day of walking relax in your comfortable and welcoming B&B’s.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Short Break

Activity Level & Terrain

As this is a self-guided hiking tour, you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip. You should have a good level of hiking fitness. be capable of negotiating some tricky terrain and be comfortable walking on short sections where there may be no distinct path underfoot at times. The Lake District Trail is not waymarked specifically but does traverse many popular routes in the Lake District fells and you should navigate using the Macs App. During wet weather, the trails may get muddy and boggy, so it is important to be prepared for this and ensure you have suitable waterproof hiking gear and robust walking boots.

Please do not underestimate hiking in adverse weather when in the Lake District – it’s, not uncommon for the weather to change rapidly in the North of England, where heavy rainfall or thick fog could very quickly disorientate you, therefore using the Macs Adventure Smartphone App is highly recommended for this tour. There are some sections where the path underfoot may become indistinct, but we provide comprehensive route notes, maps and GPX tracks through our smartphone app, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way. Make sure that you pay attention at any intersections and if you do not find a way marker at an intersection think back to the last junction and make sure you are on the right path.

Navigation

The Lake District Trail is not waymarked but you will be supplied with turn by turn route notes and detailed maps, so will have no problem following the route on each day. GPX tracks are also accessible on the Macs Smartphone App, you can simply follow the route on your phone if you wish.

Accommodations

Overnight in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses, specifically chosen to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality. See some examples of accommodations below.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This tour is not available to solo walkers for logistical reasons, but if you require single rooms within your party we will try our best to accommodate your request. A single supplement is payable.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Most guesthouses and B&B’s offer a continental and full cooked breakfast, which should keep you going for hours.

Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants.

Included

4 Nights in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses
4 Breakfasts
Door to door baggage transfer as per itinerary
Detailed Information Pack, Route Notes and Maps
Access to the GPX tracks via the Macs Smartphone App
Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem

Excluded

Travel to Ambleside and from Keswick
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Ferry crossing to Bowness on Windermere
Travel Insurance - prerequisite for all bookings
Personal Equipment
Transport if you need to skip a stage

Extras

Extra nights

When To Go

This tour can be enjoyed in the spring, summer or autumn/fall. Spring is great as it's not too busy and the flowers will be in bloom. Summer is a bit busier, but still pleasurable and autumn/fall will again be quieter. September can often be overlooked but is quieter and a beautiful time of year in the Lakes! Rain can occur at anytime 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, but this tour is not available to start on a Tuesday and Wednesday due to limited weekend availability in Keswick.

Getting to the Start

By Air - The closest regional airport to Ambleside is Manchester (approx 3h by train and bus).

By Rail/Bus - Ambleside is easily reached by train via Windermere (approx 3hrs from London, 2hr from Manchester or 2hr from Glasgow).

From Windermere, the Lakeslink 555 bus runs regularly to Ambleside or it is just a 10 minute taxi journey. You can find more information on the Traveline website.

By Car - Parking is very limited in Ambleside but if you need to you may be able to park your car at your first night's accommodation.

Getting from the End

By Bus - If you have left your vehicle in Ambleside you may return via the Lakeslink 555 bus from Keswick with a journey time of approximately 50 minutes. From Keswick there are bus services to Penrith or Carlisle and from here plenty of train options to either Manchester, London, or Glasgow.

You can find more information for travelling to and from the Lake District by visiting the Traveline Website. The Trainline is also a great resource.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 17kg per person.

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.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Ambleside Day 2: Ferry to Bowness/Walk to Ambleside 9.5 miles / 15 km Day 3: Ambleside to Patterdale 11.5 miles / 19 km

From Ambleside the trail heads North through Rydal Park and impressive Rydal Hall before joining the ‘Coffin Road’ named for the fact that it was originally used to convey the deceased to their final resting place in Grasmere. Gently undulating through trees the trail passes Rydal Mount, home of Wordsworth.

At White Moss Common at the north end of Rydal Water, the views ahead to Grasmere are spectacular and you will see why this was a favourite place of Wordsworth’s sister, Dorothy. Following the trail down into Grasmere you arrive at famous Dove Cottage, also home to Wordsworth, and you may also visit his final resting place at St Oswald’s Church.

Moving out of Grasmere, the trail follows the Grisedale Pass, with an exhilarating walk up to Grisedale Tarn affording wonderful views back down to Grasmere and North toward Ullswater. The impressive craggy heights of Helvellyn fill the skyline to your left as you descend along the valley into Patterdale.

Overnight Patterdale

Accommodations

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, Old Water View has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years. All of guest bedrooms are tastefully decorated and furnished to a high standard. They offer comfortable, central heated accommodation, with all modern conveniences, including TV, CD player, hairdryer, 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 on a working farm owned and lovingly managed by the Bell family for three generations. It’s famous for Angora Goats and Helvellyn Herdwick sheep. In your room the linen and towels are 100% Egyptian cotton, you will have an en-suite bedroom, with guest lounge, TV Sky, a DVD player with a selection of DVDs, as well as a good range of books and magazines. They aim to source as much of the produce locally in Cumbria as they can.

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 4: Patterdale to Keswick 12 miles / 20 km

You spend this day surrounded by the mountain peaks, crags and cliffs which epitomise the Lake District. Walking up Glenridding away from Ullswater you are rewarded with views back to the Lake and across the Eastern Fells. The trail follows a bridleway along the Sticks Pass with the peak of Helvellyn to the South.

A steep descent brings you out to St Johns in the Vale, an arable area in a wide glacial valley at the head of Thirlmere surrounded by perhaps the most striking of the Lakeland Fells. Here you follow the St John’s Beck river northward between the rocky flanks of Clough Head to the East and the rugged neighbours, High Rigg and Low Rigg to the West.

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’. You finish this exhilarating day upon arrival at the market town of Keswick situated in an idyllic location on Derwent Water.

Overnight Keswick

Accommodations

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.

Skiddaw Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The three-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, their housekeeping staff take pride in making sure that every room is kept sparkling to ensure you feel relaxed when you stay.

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 Hotel / 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" in Cumbria. All rooms have been recently decorated to a high standard. The Keswick Park is currently graded by Visit Britain Tourism as a 4 star Guest House. The bar has a good selection of bottled beers and draught beer, the bar also has the best selection of "Scottish Single Malt Whisky's" in Keswick with a choice of more than 20 available aged from 10 year old to 29 year old with Islay Whisky's our specialty.

Linnett Hill Hotel | Hotel

This guest house has been completed refurbished since Andy & Mandy took it over in 2012, all bedrooms are en-suite with new bathrooms, complimentary toiletries, flat screen TV’s and they have WIFI throughout. There is the use of the guest lounge with free drinks, snacks and access to newspapers and magazines. They also have drying facilities for those rainy days.

Day 5: Onward Travel