Close
Articles by Year

<<     >>

Articles by Category
Close
Book a Call
Flag

Activities

Selected Trips

    Locations

    Selected Trips

      Themed Travel

      FAQs

      | A view across Windermere from Orrest Head

      Wilderness Walking

      Winter - Lake District

      Region: Lake District
      Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
      Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book

      Accommodation: Deluxe

      Grading:

      Carbon Footprint: 98kg ? What does this mean?
      Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      icon-download Download Itinerary

        Trip Overview

        Created by: Anna Brownlow

        Join us on a fully-guided walking holiday as we explore the tranquil, dramatic scenery of the Lake District National Park.

        An arrestingly beautiful part of England, the landscape is a medley of glaciated valleys, airy mountains, and deep glittering lakes. Enjoying winter in the Lake District not only means stunning views, golden light, and clear, star-strewn skies but also quiet trails empty of the typical summer rush. Chat with your guide about the history and heritage of a region that has inspired writers, poets, and playwrights.

        After bright, frosty days spent walking along rivers that slosh with icy water and visiting pubs that glow with warmth and chatter, return to your comfortable hotel to enjoy a drink by the fire and a delicious dinner.

        Collapse All
        Marker Icon

        Day by Day
        Itinerary

        Day 1 – Arrive in the Lakes & Afternoon Walk Read Less

        Day 1

        Arrive in the Lakes & Afternoon Walk

        Meet your Wilderness guide in the pretty market town of Kendal this morning. From here, make the short, picturesque drive to Windermere – England’s largest lake. Enjoy lunch at a cosy cafe before joining your guide for an easy walk up to Orrest Head. Wind your way through Elleray Wood and emerge above the stark trees onto the flat, rocky summit. With stunning panoramic views of the surrounding fells, it’s easy to see why Alfred Wainwright was so struck by his first Lake District ascent. Afterwards, travel a short distance to your hotel, which is beautifully situated overlooking Grasmere.

        Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 5 km / 3 miles | 160 m / 525 ft | Approx: 2 hrs

        Day 2 – Hiking Langdale & Exploring Elterwater Read Less

        Day 2

        Hiking Langdale & Exploring Elterwater

        As the wintery sunlight slips across the fields, head out this morning for a peaceful hike in Langdale Valley and around Elterwater. ‘Elterwater’ is said to come from the Old Norse elptr vat for swan lake. The name is fitting when, in late autumn, snowy white whooper swans arrive from Iceland to spend the winter here. Your trail today unfurls to reveal views of the Langdale Fells, made even more dramatic with a dusting of snow. Enjoy lunch at a traditional pub before returning to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon, perhaps stretching off with a swim or sitting down with a book before dinner.

        Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles | 165 m / 541 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

        Day 3 – Dove Cottage & Grasmere Circular Read Less

        Day 3

        Dove Cottage & Grasmere Circular

        This morning, join your guide to head into Grasmere, undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages in the Lakes. Enjoy visiting Dove Cottage, where William Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy from 1799 to 1808. Step back in time as you explore the tranquil rooms still full of the late poet’s possessions. Afterwards, head out for a mellow circular walk, soaking up the views stretching across Grasmere water and the steep surrounding fells. Arrive back in the village and spend some time strolling along the narrow streets and perhaps picking up some famous Grasmere Gingerbread. Enjoy some free time this evening before dinner.

        Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | 100 m / 328 ft | Approx: 3 hrs

        Day 4 – Cruise on Coniston Water & Tarn Hows Hike Read Less

        Day 4

        Cruise on Coniston Water & Tarn Hows Hike

        After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise across Coniston Water. Get settled in the cabin’s warmth or sit out on deck in the brisk, crystal-clear air. Pass Peel Island (better known as Wild Cat Island), an enchanting spot made famous by Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons. After your return to shore, set out for a walk to Tarn Hows. Deservedly well-known as a place of natural beauty, enjoy the tranquillity that comes from having it mostly to yourself. As the wintery sun casts the dark water in gold, ribbon your way back through the fields, spotting Herdwick sheep wrapped up in their warmest winter fleeces.

        Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
        Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles | 250 m / 820 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

        Day 5 – Exploring Troutbeck Valley & Depart Read Less

        Day 5

        Exploring Troutbeck Valley & Depart

        As inky darkness fades to reveal a cloudless sky, head out with your guide for a circular walk through classic Lake District scenery. From Brockhole, follow an old bridleway and turn onto a 10th century cart lane, which was once used by packhorses to transport slate. As you wind your way through the countryside, enjoy looking out across the shimmering waters of Windermere. After lunch, your guide will transport you to Kendal, dropping you off at Oxenholme Train Station, where your trip will conclude.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
        Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | 220 m / 722 ft | Approx: 3 hrs

        Download Itinerary

        X
        Wilderness Walking
        Winter Lake District

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

        Fields marked with * are mandatory

        The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

        Book Now

        Price from: £0

        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 preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

        Enquire Now Learn More
        X
        Wilderness Walking
        Winter Lake District

        For private departure enquiries, please complete the form below:

        Trip Details

        Expand All
        Accommodation Read More

        Our accommodation is a contemporary spa hotel on the shores of Grasmere. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and close to the village, it offers a wonderful winter retreat. The spa has a thermal pool with a sauna and steam room, so don’t forget your swimwear.

        Accommodation is in a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities.

        Room Types

        Single – A private room with one large bed. Available for an additional supplement. Limited availability; allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

        Double – A shared room with one large bed.

        Twin – A shared room with two separate single beds.

        Meals Read More

        All meals are included in this trip from lunch on day 1 to lunch on the final day. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

        Great food is of paramount importance on all Wilderness England trips and we will enjoy excellent regional cooking throughout this all-inclusive trip.

        Inclusions Read More
        • 4 nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel on a B&B basis.
        • All meals during the trip as stated in the itinerary.
        • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide throughout.
        • A boat trip and other activities as mentioned in the itinerary.
        • All transfers as needed during the trip starting and finishing in Kendal.
        Grading Read More

        Green Graded 1-3

        Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace, and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

        Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

        Your Wilderness England Guide will meet you at Kendal Railway Station at 11:00am on Day 1 of your trip.

        On the final day, the trip will finish at either Kendal Railway Station at 2:30pm or Oxenholme Railway Station at 3:00pm. Your guide will confirm with you where you would prefer to be dropped off.

        Kendal is a lovely market town on the edge of the Lake District National Park. Its station is a stop on the Lakes branch line, changing from the main train line at Oxenholme.

        Oxenholme is a small rural station, but it’s an important junction on the West Coast Main Line and trains frequently run to London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

        Speak to an Expert

        Jane Gillies

        Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of the 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

        Difficulty Grades Explained

        Green Graded 1-3

        Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace, and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

        Find Out More

        Trip Reviews

        Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 review(s) of Wilderness Walking – Winter Lake District

        1
        0
        0
        0
        0

         

        Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

        That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

        JM

        John P McKinnon

        Reviewed on 29/03/2025

        Age: 60 - 70
        Country: Canada
        Trip Date: 09/03/2025
        Trips Taken: 3

        The Bottom Line

        The Bottom Line

        We had a most wonderful time!

        Show More
        mail

        Want more Wilderness in your life?

        Be the first to hear about new trips, locations and activities with our monthly newsletter