English Lakes Explorer

Introduction
Northern England England
Join us for this hiking tour of England’s Lake District. The Lake District is the most mountainous region of England, famous for its beautiful lakes, forests and mountain trails. 

Our hikes will bring us through valleys with stunning mountain vistas and waterfalls. We may even “bag” a few of the lower mountain peaks. All the land in England higher than 3,000 feet can be found within the National Park, including the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike. Also contained within the Lake District are the deepest and longest bodies of water in England, Wast Water and Windermere. Of course we must not forget a visit to the home of William Wordsworth and hiking in Beatrix Potter’s footsteps.

Tour Highlights
- Beautiful scenery of the Lake District
- Visit to the home of William Wordsworth
- Climbing Catbells – the mountain above Derwentwater

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
All our accommodations have been carefully selected. We have chosen locations of outstanding natural beauty, so that you can enjoy the best of Irish rural life and scenery. You will enjoy top quality accommodation in small, family run guesthouses and hotels whilst being charmed by the hospitable and friendly hosts.
We stay in small hotels, guest houses, farmhouses, B & B's and occasionally castles.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 to 4: Accommodation in Ambleside
Night 5 to 8: Accommodation in Grange

Room Occupancy
All rooms are en suite twin, double or single. Singles are available on request for a small supplement.


Meals:
All meals are included in your package.

We take packed lunches for our lunch breaks during our walks. These are provided from our accommodation or from local delis.

Our evenings are a time for reviewing the day's activities and shared experiences on the hills. Evening meals are taken either in the places where we are staying or in local restaurants. You will be pleasantly surprised at the fine quality meals you will enjoy on your tour.

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
After meeting up in Windermere we drive north to Ambleside. We will hike directly out of town to the beautiful tiny lake of Lily Tarn. We will be rewarded with fine views of Ambleside and the surrounding fells.  
We will then return to town where we can check in to the hotel. If you have the energy later there is the option of heading north out of town to hike to the old Sweden Bridges.
Walking Distance (first hike) 2.6 miles (4.1 km) / Ascent 554 ft (168 m)
Walking Distance (second hike) 3.3 miles (5.3 km) / Ascent 702 ft (213 m)
Overnight: Ambleside, Cumbria
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Elterwater & Catgedral Cavern
We begin this hike at the head of the Great Langdale Valley at the village of Elterwater (the name comes from the Old Norse, meaning “swan lake”). We then visit two waterfalls: Skelwith Force and Colwith Force. Our hike then takes us to the Cathedral Cavern: a spectacular man-made quarry with an amazing echo. One of the tunnels is over 100 m long and requires a torch to see. We will also be crossing the delightful packhorse bridge, “Slater’s Bridge” at Tilberthwaite and Little Langdale.
Walking Distance 7.8 miles (12.5 km) / Ascent 1000 ft (304 m)
Overnight: Ambleside, Cumbria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Loughrigg Fell
A wonderful circuit of Loughrigg Fell on easy paths with spectacular views. We will enjoy our first glimpse of the Langdale Pikes: a stunning backdrop to Loughrigg Tarn. The return route passes the beautiful lakes of Rydal Water and Grasmere. Then we will have time for our own private guided tour of Rydal Mount, the long-time home of poet William Wordsworth. At the end of the tour we will be sampling the legendary Grasmere gingerbread, accompanied by a glass of wine.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11 km) / Ascent 1362 ft (415 m)
Overnight: Ambleside, Cumbria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Troutbeck Valley & Wansfell Pike
We head directly on foot out of Ambleside to Jenkins Crag viewpoint and Skelghyll Woods. On arrival at the village of Troutbeck, we will call in at Townend: a 17th century farmhouse open for visitors.  Return to Ambleside is via Wansfell Pike, enjoying superb views of Windermere and the Kirkstone Pass. Finally we head back to town by the Stock Ghyll Force waterfall.
Walking Distance 6.5 miles (10 km) / Ascent 1609 ft (490 m)
Overnight: Ambleside, Cumbria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Lakeshore Hike to Glenridding
Today’s journey begins with a ride on the ferry across Ullswater Lake to Howtown. Our hiking route follows the lakeside path below Hallin Fell, Kilbert How, Birk Fell and Place Fell, before arriving at Glenridding. We then drive northwest to our next accommodation at Grange in Borrowdale.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11 km) / Ascent 656 ft (200 m)
Overnight: Grange, Borrowdale, Cumbria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Buttermere Circuit & Rannerdale Knotts
Two beautiful short hikes in magnificent Buttermere: a quintessential Lake District hike around a lake with fine mountain views all around. 
There is then the option of the second hike to Rannerdale Knotts: a steep climb initially with the reward of fine views from the ridge of Crummock Water and Rannerdale Valley on the other side. A steep, stony descent brings us back in to Buttermere via the shore of Crummock Water.
Walking Distance (first hike) 4.7 miles (7.5 km) / Ascent 393 ft (67 m)
Walking Distance (second hike) 3.5 miles (5.6 km) / Ascent 928 ft (283 m)
Overnight: Grange, Borrowdale, Cumbria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Catbells & Maiden Moor
This morning we walk directly from the hotel and trace a route along the edge of Derwentwater, later scaling  the summits of Catbells and Maiden Moor: two of the best-loved fells in the Lake District.  A rewarding climb with fine views. 
We then return full circle back to the hotel via the pretty village of Grange.
Walking Distance 6.6 miles (10.7 km) / Ascent 1640 ft (500 m)
Overnight: Grange, Borrowdale, Cumbria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Watendlath Circuit
A beautiful hike to complete our Lake District adventures. But a tough one – you’ll be ready for this! The initial climb is steep and stony up through the forest. We are then rewarded with fine views and a rest beside remote Dock Tarn. 
We make our way across the open moor to the tiny hamlet of Watendlath, perhaps to enjoy refreshment at the tea room?  We hike via an easier path back to Rosthwaite.
Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km) / Ascent 1490 ft (454 m)
Overnight: Grange, Borrowdale, Cumbria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Departure
After a hearty breakfast, we will depart for Windermere, expecting to arrive around 11 am.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for English Lakes Explorer

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Windermere
Airport: Leeds
Transfer: Windermere

Climate:
                                               Keswick area