Heart of the Lake District

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.2 Read 5 reviews

Relaxed walking in the beautiful surrounds of the Lake District
Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth
The cosy tearooms of Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick
Walk to the top of Helm Crag, to see the iconic "Lion & the Lamb"
Views over the glimmering shores of Derwent Water from Cat Bells

Enjoy gentle walks in the heart of the Lake District, based in Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick. On this tour, we have carefully chosen some of the easier walks available in the region, so that you don't need to be an experienced hill-climber to still enjoy some of the most amazing views! From a relaxed walk along the shores of Lake Windermere to the famous home of Beatrix Potter, to an energising but short walk to the top of Cat Bells over Derwent Water - experience classic Lakeland at its best without too much of an effort! Staying in cosy B&B's and guesthouses, discover for yourself the landscapes which have influenced many poets and authors including Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This is the perfect trip if you would like to sample the delights of the dramatic Lake District and tick off some of the popular highlights, but prefer your walking to be slightly easier! With average daily walks of less than 10km and ascents of no more than 400m, you will stay overnight in B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels in the classic Lake District towns of Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick.

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:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 7 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

National Parks

Activity Level & Terrain

This holiday is graded easy overall with all of the walks being fairly relaxed. Daily walks include ascents of between 94m and 378m, and are no longer than 13km. You will cover a variety of terrain including rocky terrain, some boggy sections and lakeside and woodland paths. The ascent of Catbells whilst not too strenuous is graded more as moderate, due to the fact that it is a short, sharp ascent and involves some light scrambling towards the top at the summit with a couple of steep drop offs. Of course, you can always turn back if this is not for you!

Navigation

Whilst not all of the paths will be waymarked on this holiday, we do provide comprehensive route notes, maps and GPS tracks through our smartphone app, which will greatly assist you in finding your way. All of the walks we have selected are fairly low level and therefore not too difficult to navigate. However, we do recommend that should the weather be inclement you should take extra care and only do the walks if you feel comfortable navigating.

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.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we will try our best to accommodate your request. A single supplement is payable. This trip is available to solo walkers and a supplement is also payable.

Meals

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

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

6 Nights hand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation
6 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers as per itinerary
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel to Ambleside and from Keswick
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Ferry crossings as per itinerary
Travel insurance
Personal equipment
Entrance fees

Extras

Additional nights anywhere along the route

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 daffodils 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.

Getting to the Start

By Air - The closest regional airport to Ambleside is Manchester. From here you can take the train to Windermere (2h15m) and then a local bus to Ambleside (20min)

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 you can buy seven day passes which can be used in a few of the car parks. More details are available here.

For more information on train times and schedules please visit the Traveline or National Rail websites.

Getting from the End

By Car - 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.

By Bus/Train - From Keswick there are bus services to Penrith (40min) or Carlisle (1h15min) 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 20kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

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 walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

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.

How do the baggage transfers work?

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Are you able to arrange extra nights?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Ambleside Day 2 Beatrix Potter Walk to Wray Castle and Hill Top 9 miles / 14.5 km Day 3 Walk to Grasmere 4 miles / 6.5 km

Head north through Rydal Park on the outskirts of Ambleside this morning, passing one of William Wordsworth's former homes, Rydal Mount, where Wordsworth spent his last days. This route is also known as the 'Coffin Road’ named for the fact that it was an old corpse road used in medieval times to carry the deceased to their final resting place in Grasmere. Enjoy following gently undulating trails as you head towards your next destination in the Lakes.

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 arrive at the famous Dove Cottage, Wordsworth's first family home, and you may also visit his final resting place at St Oswald’s Church. Grasmere is a delightful little town with plenty of tempting tearooms, a few traditional pubs and the famous Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop which we highly recommend paying a visit to!

Ascent: +90m / Descent: -85m

Overnight Grasmere

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.

Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge | Country Inn

The 200 year old traditional Cumbrian property has been furnished using local craftsmen and local materials and offers some lovely accommodation in Cumbria. Each of their 6 fabulous ensuite rooms has its own uniqueness with high quality furnishings. Each room has a flat screen TV, internet connection, underfloor heating, duck-down duvets and pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets and wool carpets.

Chestnut Villa | Bed and breakfast

Chestnut Villa was built in 1904 as a Coaching Inn, it has 9 beautifully decorated rooms, each of which is ensuite with either a bath/hand shower or shower. The rooms all come with tea & coffee facilities, LCD digital TV’s, toiletries and hairdryers.

Glenthorne | Guest House

Glenthorne is a long-established guest house. They offer comfortable accommodation and delicious home-cooked meals in stunning surroundings. They are service orientated people who aim to make your stay as comfortable as they can. All rooms are individually decorated and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.

Day 4 Loop Walk to Helm Crag 4 miles / 6.5 km

Enjoy the perfect introduction to walking higher up in the Lake District fells as you make your way slowly to the top of Helm Crag today, and discover the iconic "Lion and the Lamb" craggy outcrops, so named because they are said to resemble the aforementioned creatures. Alfred Wainwright said of this walk "The virtues of Helm Crag have not to be lauded enough. It gives an exhilarating little climb, a brief essay in real mountaineering." From the Lion and the Lamb, enjoy some of the Lake District's best views, looking over the Fairfield and Helvellyn mountain ranges before descending via Helmside and country lanes back to Grasmere. You will have the real feeling of being up in the mountains today as Wainwright alluded to, but this is gained without too much effort!

Ascent: +305m / Descent: -305m

Overnight Grasmere

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.

Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge | Country Inn

Chestnut Villa | Bed and breakfast

Glenthorne | Guest House

Day 5 Transfer to Keswick, Derwent Water Loop Walk via Walla Crag 6.5 miles / 11 km

After a hearty breakfast, a transfer will bring you to your final stop in the Lakes, the lively town of Keswick.

Soak in the views as you gently wind your way up to the heather-clad summit of Walla Crag, where you are rewarded with one of the finest views in all of Lakeland. The sparkling surface of Derwent Water below and the Skiddaw range rising behind Keswick are sights to behold! Descend to reach Ashness Bridge, one of the most photographed and picturesque packhorse bridges in the Lake District with stunning views. The lakeshore path back to Keswick is a delightful stroll through woodland and along wide bays. At the rocky outcrop of Friar’s Crag, you will find a memorial to John Ruskin who thought the views were some of the finest in all of Europe.

Ascent: +285m / Descent: -285m

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 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".

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 6 Walk to Cat Bells 5.1 miles / 8.2 km

This short, sharp climb up a "little mountain" or "lair of the wildcat" is a firm Lake District favourite. As Alfred Wainwright said, "It is a family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together, a place beloved". For a relaxing start to the day, take the Keswick Launch to Hawse End before starting to follow well-defined paths through the bracken. As you climb, views open up over lovely Derwent Water and the beautiful Newlands Valley. A short section towards the summit involves a little bit of scrambling and a head for heights, but if this isn't for you, you can still enjoy amazing views from very close to the top and you could simply turn round and go back the way you came. However, it is worth the effort on that very short section to stand on the top and take in the amazing views over the Lake District including the mighty Skiddaw to the North. After leaving the summit, the path heads downhill and then you can enjoy a relaxing stroll back via the shores of Derwent Water to Hawse End where the boat will take you back to Keswick in 10 minutes for your final night in the Lake District.

Ascent: +340m / Descent: -350m

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

Keswick Park Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

Linnett Hill Hotel | Hotel

Day 7 Onward Travel