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      Wilderness Walking

      High Points of the Lake District

      Next Trip: 21st - 26th May 2023 Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

      From £1,645 View Prices & Dates

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      Trip created by Anna Brownlow
      View Anna's Profile

      Region: The Lake District
      Trip Type: Wilderness Walking
      Accommodation: Classic
      Max Group Size: 14
      Confirmed: When 2 Traveller(s) Book
      Deposit From: £411.25 £411.25

      Grading:

      Carbon Footprint: 116kg ? What does this mean?
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      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      Download Itinerary

      In one of the wildest corners of northwest England lies the soaring mountains and deep blue waters of the distinctly beautiful Lake District National Park. A landscape full of hanging valleys, rushing waterfalls, and impressive crags cloaked in volcanic rock, it’s a stunning and exciting place to explore.

      With your knowledgeable Wilderness Guide, hike to the top of some of the highest peaks in the lakes and enjoy some of the country’s most rugged and spectacular views. Discover the evocative nature of England’s largest national park. Look out for red deer, otters, and the steady hovering silhouette of a kestrel as it scans the ground for voles. Enjoy visiting a pretty market town and taking a boat trip across a shimmering lake with enchanting views of the surrounding fells.

      During your trip, stay in a 300 year old guest house nestled in the heart of Borrowdale Valley. After full, enjoyable days spent exploring winding valleys, lofty mountains and iridescent lakes, return to the warmth of English hospitality and enjoy delicious meals made from fresh local produce.

      Trip Highlights

      • Hike up the stony beauty of England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and enjoy spectacular panoramic views.
      • Enjoy the company and expertise of a Wilderness guide, learning about the history and stories of this beautiful region.
      • Stay in a charming, private guesthouse which has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years.

      Did you know?


      This trip can be booked as a private departure


      Learn more

      Day by Day Itinerary

      Day 1 - Welcome to the Lakes

      Arrive in Penrith early this afternoon and be met by your Wilderness guide. Enjoy a beautifully scenic drive into the heart of the Lake District National Park and take some time to settle into your accommodation that has been welcoming visitors for over a hundred years. Head out for a gentle walk along the banks of a river, making your way into Rosthwaite – a little village encircled by rocky fells that clamber steeply upwards from the lush pastures below. Upon arrival, enjoy a traditional cream tea at a cafe on a working farm before winding your way homeward for dinner. (D)

      Walk details: 4 km/2.5 miles | 60 m/196 ft ascent | approx. 1.5 hours

      Day 2 - Hiking Glaramara

      After breakfast, pull on your boots and head straight out of the door to hike up Glaramara. A charming hill, part of an impressive southwest ridgeline, it makes for a rewarding and beautiful first peak of the trip. Wind your way through Borrowdale and up onto the hillside, looking out for the dark waters of a small mountain lake amongst the golden grasses. Upon reaching the summit, take the time to be still and enjoy the stunning views. Later, continue your way along the ridge to claim a second peak before descending back down into the valley. This evening, relax in the cosy warmth of your guesthouse and enjoy a delicious dinner. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 16 km/10 miles | 950 m/3,116 ft ascent | approx. 6 – 8 hours

      Day 3 - Hiking Helvellyn

      Head out this morning to hike up Helvellyn – England’s third highest peak and known for its breathtaking, panoramic views. On a quieter and less arduous route than its most popular ascent, warm up steadily as you walk through old woodland, the morning light dappling leafy shadows along the forest floor. As you climb, skirt a mountain stream that snakes down the side of the fell, and climb up onto the rim of the crags, soon reaching the summit and looking out across the impressive knife-edged aretes of Striding and Swirral Edge. After enjoying the views, zig-zag your way steadily down, enjoying dinner tonight at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 15 km/9.5 miles | 1,100 m/3,608 ft ascent | approx. 6 – 8 hours

      Day 4 - Derwent Water & Keswick

      Enjoy a relaxing day, giving you the time to immerse yourself in the pastoral beauty of the Lakes before a more demanding day of walking tomorrow. Walk from Seatoller to Derwent Water, either strolling along a lush river valley or meandering into the higher reaches of the fells. Take a boat across the placid lake to arrive in Keswick, an old market town. Enjoy a nosy around before transferring back to the guesthouse and having some time to relax, perhaps sitting out in the secluded garden or putting your feet up with a good book. This evening, enjoy a hearty dinner and catch an early night in anticipation of an exciting day tomorrow. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 10 km/6 miles | 170 m/558 ft ascent | approx. 4 hours

      Day 5 - Hiking Scafell Pike

      At 978 m (3,209 ft) Scafell Pike is England’s highest mountain and a brilliant and rewarding walk. With your Wilderness guide, take a circular route to its impressive, boulder-strewn summit, enjoying a quieter and more varied trail than the better-known path from Wasdale. As you walk, enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the Lake District – ridges that splinter into precipitous crags, deep ravines cut by tongues of dark water, and scree-sloped summits that fade into hues of mountain blue. Take the time to enjoy being on the rooftop of England, snapping some photos and enjoying a good snack, before winding your way back into the belly of the valley. Dinner this evening is well earned and no doubt will have a celebratory air after a wonderful day in the hills. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 15 km/9.5 miles | 970 m/3,180 ft ascent | approx. 6 – 8 hours

      Day 6 - Hiking Haystacks and Depart

      After breakfast this morning, head out to enjoy a walk up Haystacks. Known to be Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fell, his ashes are scattered in the small tarn found in its uppermost reaches. The first part of the walk climbs quickly, the path occasionally rocky and marked by little cairns. The summit is reached by crossing a short ridge and offers beautiful sweeping views. Continue on towards the peak of Fleetwith Pike, looking down the valley to the twinkling lights of Buttermere Lake. Chat to your guide about the history of the Lakes, learning about the maiden of Buttermere and other local stories. After the walk, a scenic transfer will take you back to Penrith Station so you may begin your journey home. (B, L)

      Walk details: 11 km/7 miles | 750 m/2,460 ft ascent | approx. 4 hours

      Download Itinerary

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      Wilderness Walking
      High Points of the Lake District

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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      Trip Dates & Prices

      Trip Dates for 2023AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
      21st May - 26th May 202311 place(s) leftCONFIRMED£1,645Book Now
      16th Jul - 21st Jul 202313 place(s) leftUNCONFIRMED£1,645Book Now
      17th Sep - 22nd Sep 202313 place(s) leftUNCONFIRMED£1,645Book Now

      Trip Details

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      Accommodation Read More

      Our accommodation is a private guest house nestled in the Borrowdale valley. It is over 300 years old and has been a guest house for over 100 years. It is a wonderful base for our adventure and very well equipped for hikers with its own drying room.

      Single Rooms

      There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a room for single occupancy, a supplement of £200 is charged.

      Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

      Meals Read More

      This trip is ‘All Inclusive’ meaning all meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 6 are provided. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

      The guest house team will keep us well-fed with freshly prepared cooked breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals using local produce. Special dietary requirements can be catered for.

      Inclusions Read More
      • 5 nights accommodation in an exclusive-use guest house.
      • All meals during the trip (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
      • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout.
      • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Penrith.
      Trip Grading Read More

      Blue Graded 4-6

      Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

      Travel Read More

      You will be met by your Wilderness England Guide at Penrith Railway Station at 1:00pm on Day 1 of your trip. The trip will conclude at Penrith Railway Station at 4:00pm on the final day of the trip.

      Photo Gallery

      Make This Trip Private

      Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

      Speak to an Expert

      View Profile
      Jane Gillies

      Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of UK & Ireland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

      Ask Jane a Question

      Meet Your Guide

      Hayley Webb
      21st May - 26th May 2023

      Steve Gray
      16th Jul - 21st Jul 2023

      Steve Gray
      17th Sep - 22nd Sep 2023

      View guides for all departures

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      Blue Graded Walking Holidays
      Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

      Compare walking grades

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