The Lake District Route in 8 days

Discover one of the most popular cities in the Lake District, located at the northern end of Windermere, England's largest natural lake, which has been a settlement since pre-Roman times.

Tour the Roman fort of Galava from 79 A.D, Bridge House, built on the Stock ravine more than 300 years ago or St. Mary's Church with its stone needles and murals from the Second World War.

Overnight in Ambleside

Cross the River Rothay and Loughrigg Terrace and follow the path to Rydal Cave, an artificial 19th-century quarry, and then ascend the hills of Loughrigg Fell. At its top, Trig Point, 335 m and the highest point on the route, admire Lake Windermere's splendid views to the south and hills. 

Descend a steep path overlooking northwest to Lake Grasmere and Langdale Pikes and follow the route to Skelwith Bridge. Walk through forests and valleys to the Tarn Hows. After learning about the land that was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929, you'll enter the village of Coniston through farmland. 

Admire the Old Man of Coniston Hill that rises to the bottom of the village and visit the Ruskin Museum which houses an exhibition of Donald Campbell's exploits at Coniston Water and his craft, Bluebird.

Overnight in Coniston

Leave from Coniston Water, the third largest lake in the Lake District, and climb the demanding Walna Scar Road slate route, where the side winds in the valley and flying eagles adorn the landscape of the Old Man of Coniston in the distance, the highest peak on the Furness Fells. 

Cross a number of hills and mountains on Furness or Coniston Fells and venture into Duddon Valley. Climb to Birker Fell as you admire the views of Scafell Pike at its top.  

Descend into the Eskdale Valley, stop at Forge Bridge by the River Esk and picnic on its pebbled shore, before reaching the picturesque village of Boot. Visit its small shop, and the Boot Inn and Brook House Inn pubs or the fascinating Eskdale Mill on the old packhorse bridge.  

Overnight in Boot

Take the stony path to Whillan Beck and pass the remote Burnmoor Lodge until you find Burnmoor Tarn, one of the largest natural lakes in the Lake District. It borders the northern part of Lake Wastwater, the deepest in England, at 15 m below sea level, and crosses the grass fields to cross Eskdale Fell.

Climb up Wasdale Valley, the wildest in the Lake District, stretching to the Great Gable and Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. Visit very close to the small church of St. Olaf, possibly the smallest in England.

A descending walk through Scarth Gap Pass overlooking Lake Crummock Water will take you to the village of Buttermere. Visit St. James' Church and its monument to the author of tour guides, Alfred Wainwright.   

Overnight in Buttermere

This route starts on the western coast of Crummock Water and then ascends to the narrow Gasdale Ravine. Reach the top and admire the views of Derwent Valley and the high crags.

It descends past Force Crag, the last working metal mine in the Lake District and runs down the road under Grisedale Pike. Then cross the rocky stretch of Coledale Beck, before crossing the villages of Braithwaite and Portinscale, before reaching Keswick.

Tour this market town and visit Moot Hall, the Theatre by the Lake and one of Britain's oldest theaters, the Alhambra.

Overnight in Keswick

Start the walk along the River Greta and head west to the famous Castlerigg Stone Circle, a megalithic stone monument dating from 3200 BC.

Explore the conifer forest and admire the scenery through the fields, particularly towards Blencathra, the gateway to St. John's in the Vale glacial valley. Visit the small hillside church before heading through the northern valley to the meandering St. John's Beck, along with the views to the west of Clough Head.

Advance to the headwaters of Thirlmere Reservoir and then descend along the Grisedale Valley to Glenridding, a small village near Kirkstone Pass. Admire the views of Helvellyn Mountain, the third highest mountain in England, before reaching Patterdale.

Overnight in Patterdale

Cross Fairfield Peak through the valley to Grisedale Tarn until you spot the fantastic Lake Grasmere. Walk along the path that runs through the Rydal conservation area, a village scattered between Grasmere and Ambleside on the banks of the river. 

Head through forests to Rydal Mount before walking along the hillside over the lake and find the ancient slate huts and Dove Cottage, home to the poet William Wordsworth. 

Visit Rydal Mount, another home of the poet from 1813 to 1850, Dora's Field, a field of daffodils that he planted, before reaching Ambleside.

Overnight in Ambleside

For your return from Ambleside and depending on your next destination, take a bus or train to Manchester, London or Glasgow.

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