Walking in the Lake District

Duration: 2-12 nights

Price point: Mid-range

Self-guided and privately guided walking holidays in the Lake District.

  • Choose from a wide range of itineraries covering all areas of the Lake District

  • All walks are graded from 'easy' to 'challenging' with options to choose from on each day

  • Includes clear and concise route notes and maps

  • Stay overnight in hand-picked accommodation with en-suite rooms

  • Personal service throughout from an experienced team with indepth knowledge of the region.

Unique, well-designed walking itineraries come complete with maps and route cards.


On most of the self-guided walking holidays, you have the option each day of choosing from either a challenging or a moderate walk. Both options begin and end at the same point so the choice can be made individually and at the last minute.

 

The supplier provides a personalised service, including pre-departure briefings if requested and an emergency contact number for use during your holiday.

NaturalBritain_Icon_Black_edited.png

At a glance

  • Location: The Lake District. Can also provide self-guided walks on all of the major long distance paths in Northern England.

  • Trip type: Private. Can be self-guided or privately guided. 

  • Season: 31 March to 24 October

  • Grading/difficulty: Should be of at least average fitness and capable of walking over uneven ground including uphill for sustained periods (minimum 3 - 4 hours).

  • Getting there: Train (Penrith for North Lakes and Windermere for South Lakes) or car.

  • Pick-ups: From train stations or from Manchester airport by arrangement.

  • Parking: Available.

  • Age restrictions: No minimum age but under 16s should be accompanied by parent or guardian

Ask an expert

Emily Bailey-1054.jpg

Our experienced team have hand-picked each supplier. If you have a question we are just a click away.

Sustainability and values

Walking holidays are intrinsically environmentally friendly.
This walking tour operator has invested in sustainable products for their information packs (e.g. compostable and/or recyclable packaging). 

​

They are involved in the local community and have sponsored and organised several local events to raise funds for the local mountain rescue organisations and for the Great North Air Ambulance.

​

If you care about Climate Change, you'll care about carbon emissions from travel
All of the tours offered through Natural Britain have been assessed for the amount of carbon emitted and this is shown against each featured itinerary below. To help make sense of this figure, you can head over to our Carbon Emissions page for useful comparisons with overseas travel etc.​

"Discover the Lake District your way"

Our story...

This walking tour company was set up by husband & wife team, Pete and Karen in 2001. Together, they take care of all the arrangements and are your main contact point.

Ennerdale-Stewart%20Smith_edited.jpg

Featured Itinerary

Lakeland Walker Short Break

  • A short break in the heart of the Cumbrian Fells based in Keswick

  • Self-guided supported walking in the Lake District

  • Choose between a moderate walking route and a more demanding option taking in several fell tops

  • Walk the Skiddaw Range and Skiddaw - England's 4th highest mountain

  • Option to summit Scafell Pike and make the trip demanding

This tours runs on a private basis from March to October.  Prices from:

​

  • Twin Share:  £275

  • Single:           £299  

  • Scafell Pike supplement: £40

​​

There are no set dates for this tour so please select your preferred departure date and we will contact you to discuss requirements. 

Price guide

Sample itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Keswick and check in

Optional Walks (easy/moderate). Depending on your time of arrival, there are a number of interesting circuit walks you can take from Keswick ranging from from 1 to 7 miles. Visiting the viewpoint of Castle Head or an ancient Stone Circle below Blencathra, or making an ascent of Catbells are all possible if you arrive with an afternoon to spare. Close to your accommodation is Hope Park with its pitch and putt and crazy golf courses, bird hide and gardens. A walk through the park brings you to the lake shore where the Keswick launch departs for cruises on the lake. Keswick has many pubs and restaurants and even a nightclub. It also has a theatre, a cinema and even a pencil museum!



Day 2. Buttermere to Keswick

Option A (moderate)
Your private transport will collect you from your accommodation and take you over Honister Pass to the attractive hamlet of Buttermere nestled between two lakes. You can visit the lake shore before setting off on the day's walk which begins with a walk along Mill Beck. Gaining height gradually, you continue along Sail Beck before climbing up to a saddle or col between Sail Fell and Ard Crags, your high point of the day at 1530ft. Now descending Rigg Beck, you enter the picturesque Newlands Valley and continue down to Skelgill where a short stretch of quiet road leads to Hawse End on Derwentwater. You have the option to take the launch across Derwentwater back to Keswick (fare not included), or continue for a further mile through woodland to Nichol End Marina. Here you have another opportunity to take the launch back to Keswick or you can continue through the village of Portinscale where you cross the river on a suspension footbridge and cross fields to reach Keswick (1.5 miles from Nichol End).
9 miles. 1800ft ascent / 1930ft descent.. Option B (demanding)
From Buttermere Village you begin by climbing the broad flanks of High Snokrigg as tremendous views over the lakes of Buttermere and Crummock water open up behind you. You continue the climb to the summit of Robinson (2417ft.) and then follow Littledale Edge around the Cwm of Deep Gill to Hindscarth (2385ft.). Descending the delightful NE ridge over Scope End you have beautiful views over Newlands, eventually reaching its small church, where you join the road for a short way to Little Town. From here an old quarry road provides easy walking along the valley to Skelgill and from this point you follow the same route as for the above option back to Keswick.
10 miles. 3200ft ascent / 3330ft descent.



Day 3: The Skiddaw Range

Option A (moderate)
Your private transport will collect you from your accommodation and take you along the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake to Ravenstone below Raven Crag. A short sharp climb from here gets you up to 'The Edge', the narrow North ridge of Ullock Pike. Now a steady climb with ever expanding views takes you to the summit at 2230ft. Delightful ridge walking continues along Longside Edge to Long Side (2405ft.) and on up to the high point for today's walk at Carl Side summit (2420ft.). A descent southwards with glorious views ahead brings you to the waterfalls of Millbeck. Finally, quiet country lanes and the 'Allerdale Ramble' footpath through the fields of Ormathwaite take you back to Keswick.
6½ miles. 2385ft ascent / 2470ft descent. Option B (demanding)
Skiddaw (3053ft.) is England's 4th highest mountain and is Keswick's very own fell, dominating the town. For many, an ascent of this slate-built giant is a must on any visit to North Lakeland. However, much better than joining the crowds on the Tourist Track is this route which begins as for the moderate option above, climbing Skiddaw from the col between Long Side and Carl Side. Needless to say from such a lofty vantage, the views in all directions are superb. The descent can be made more entertaining by climbing Skiddaw Lower Man on the way down and you finish on a lovely track following the edge of woodland around Latrigg.
7½ miles. 3100ft ascent / 3185ft descent.



Scafell Pike option

Option (challenging)
Keswick is also a suitable base for an ascent of Scafell Pike, England's highest Peak. This option (which is harder than any of the above walks) can be substituted on either of the main walking days with advance notice. There is an extra charge of £40 in total for up to 4 persons for this option to cover the additional transfers, map and route cards required.
8 miles. 3200ft ascent / descent.



The carbon impact of this trip is

38.1 kg CO2e per person

The above calculation shows the approximate amount of carbon that will be emitted by taking this trip (this does not include meals or getting to the destination). Details of how this figure is calculated can be found on our
Carbon Emissions page.   

NB CO2 Icon+CI Sage.png

Check dates and book it today >

Lake-District-Weekend-route.jpg

Why Natural Britain

Screenshot 2020-09-07 at 17.23.55.png
INSPIRE

Only things that excite us make it to this list. We want to showcase a Britain that few others get to see.  Our experiences take you away from the tourist hordes and present a magical side of our islands off the beaten track. 

Screenshot 2020-09-07 at 17.23.55.png
DISCOVER

Our experiences are run by passionate, professional and safety-conscious operators. Whether you want an activity that is physically challenging or are looking for a more relaxing experience, we have options to suit all abilities. 

Screenshot 2020-09-07 at 17.23.55.png
PROTECT

We care about the impact of mass tourism on our planet and only feature suppliers that have an ethos aligned with our own.  We check that all the providers listed on our website care for the environment and the communities in which they operate.

Screenshot 2020-09-07 at 17.23.55.png
FIND

We have many years of experience of  developing rewarding travel experiences all over the world. We have sifted through the bland, mass market offerings and discovered unique, special finds that we know will appeal to discerning travellers.