Walking Holidays in the Lake District

The Cumbria Way bisects Cumbria from the market town of Ulverston, near the coast of Morecambe Bay in the south, to the historic city of Carlisle on the Scottish Border in the north. In between the two it passes through some of the Lake District’s most famous and spectacular scenery.

The route uses the valley systems wherever possible and therefore over most of its length it avoids the high fells. Lakeshore paths, ancient green lanes and paths at the bottom of steep sided valleys, all form part of this stunning route.

There are two sections in the higher fells, both on well established paths. Between Langdale and Borrowdale, over Stake Pass, and between Keswick and Caldbeck, over the flanks of Skiddaw.

The Lakes Inn Way is a 90 mile circular walk starting and finishing in the popular tourist town of Ambleside. This trail takes in some of the more remote corners of the Lake District, and takes you through the Lake District’s stunning deep sided valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes – as well as past over 40 traditional Lakeland inns. Please be aware that this is a challenging route in places, you will need to be proficient in map reading and the use of a compass. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding the suitability of this walk, we are happy to advise.

The full route takes you through the popular tourist towns of Ambleside, Coniston, and Grasmere (site of Dove Cottage, former home of the Romantic Poet Wordsworth), as well as through a few of the Lake District’s most impressive valleys – Borrowdale, Ennerdale, and Great Langdale, linked together with paths over high mountain passes, with great views of the surrounding fells. A highlight is a visit to remote Wasdale Head, in the shadow of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

The Inn Way to the Lake District is a great combination, taking in the busier valleys and towns of the central Lake District, such as Ambleside, Coniston, Langdale, and Borrowdale as well as the more remote, quieter places of the western Lake District, including Buttermere, Wasdale and Eskdale – a true cross section of what the Lakes has to offer.

Why is the route known as the Inn Way to the Lake District? Because it is devised so that at each day the route passes a pub at lunchtime and there will always be one nearby – or you will be staying in one – at each overnight stop. There are many traditional Lakeland Inns to choose from, – so you can plan your trip looking forward to log fires, local ales and good food, often made with local produce.

‘The Inn Way’ is a Registered Trademark of Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ series of guidebooks.

This is one of our own routes, winding around the lakes of Ullswater, Thirlmere and Derwentwater, then climbing over the mountain passes that separate them. This route takes in the lake shores, fells and mountain passes of the Northern Lake District, stopping in some of the prettiest villages of Lakeland. On the way you will experience quiet woodlands, plunging waterfalls and spectacular views as you climb over the fells.

Wherever possible we have built in high and low level alternatives, so the route can be adapted to suit your ability, or the weather! This route is a fine introduction to the North Western lakes, encompassing plenty of variety.

The Tour of the Lake District is a 96 mile circuit starting in the popular tourist town of Windermere and following a clockwise round, finishes off in yet another popular tourist town, Ambleside. This trail takes in each of the main Lake District valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes.

You will follow in the footsteps of shepherds and drovers along ancient pathways from one valley to the next. Please be aware that this is a challenging route, you will need to be proficient in map reading and the use of a compass. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding the suitability of this walk, we are happy to help.

Starting in Windermere, the route takes you through the picturesque towns of Ambleside, Coniston, Keswick and Grasmere (site of Dove Cottage the former home of the romantic poet William Wordsworth). The route takes you through some of the Lake District’s most impressive valleys including the more remote valleys of the western Lake District such as Eskdale, Wasdale and Ennerdale, linked together with paths over high mountain passes. One of the many highlights of this scenic tour is a visit to the remote Wasdale Head in the shadow of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

This is our kindest holiday in one of the quietest areas of the Lake District National Park. It is based around the peaceful lakes of Loweswater, Crummock and Buttermere in the North West corner of the Lake District, and uses well defined paths, forestry tracks and country lanes.

The distances covered each day are relatively short with the exception of one mountain pass involving an easy climb of 200 metres. The route generally keeps to relatively flat valley bottoms and there is plenty of time to take it easy, enjoy some spectacular scenery and soak up the tranquility.

The scenic Westmorland Way is a 95 mile walk through the old county of that name, which now forms the south eastern part of Cumbria.

The route starts in Appleby, the county town of Westmorland, the perfect starting point in the shadow of the Pennine Chain. It then travels west and generally southwards, winding its way through some of the finest Lake District scenery, passing Ullswater, Grasmere and Windermere, before visiting the market town of Kendal. From there it follows the canal and tracks through woodlands and meadows to Westmorland’s only port, Arnside, on the shores of Morecambe Bay.