Lake District Round – 9 Days

Quick Facts

About & Details

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Arrive in Ambleside

  Arrive at your chosen accommodation in Ambleside.

• Day 2 - Ambleside to Coniston

  Leaving Ambleside, your first day will not involve any significant climbs but that is not to say that you won’t be treated to some magnificent views from higher points like Loughrigg Fell.  You will walk across low fells, through magical forests, along peaceful lakeshores and through pretty Cumbrian villages, taking in historic landmarks including a farm once owned by Beatrix Potter.  Relax for the night and take in the cafes and restaurants of Coniston.

  12.5 miles (20km) and 610m of ascent.

• Day 3 - Coniston to Boot (Eskdale)

  As you climb out of Coniston to head into the more remote western fells make sure you stock up on essentials as you will not reach another big village or town until you arrive in Keswick.  Your walk will take you along the exposed ancient drovers route of the Walna Scar Road with the Old Man of Coniston towering on your right.  You will enjoy magnificent views from the Coniston fells and have the chance to stop for a well deserved lunch at the small hamlet of Seathwaite before another, easier climb of the day leads you to Boot, a small village in Eskdale where you will spend the night.

  12.5 miles (20km) and 906m of ascent.

  Mountain Route – 14 miles (22km) and 1200m of ascent.

• Day 4 - Boot (Eskdale) to Wasdale Head

  Today is an easier day with fewer climbs and although still a long day, you will be rewarded with some of the most magnificent views in the Lake District as you climb out of Eskdale and towards Wasdale.  Walk all the way up the valley besides the beautiful Wast Water, England’s deepest lake, taking in the Screes, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell and the slopes of the Sca Fell range.  Your accommodation for the night will be in Wasdale.

  11 miles (18km) and 470m of ascent.

  Mountain Route –  10.5 miles (17km) and 980m of ascent.

• Day 5 - Wasdale Head to Buttermere

  Although a shorter day, this section of the walk is truly enjoyable.  You will pass the remote Black Sails pass before continuing into the beautiful Ennerdale valley.  A short climb over Scarth Gap nestled between Hay Stacks and High Crag offers the first stunning views of Buttermere before descending into the village where you will relax for the night.

  7.5 miles (12km)  and 780m of ascent.

  Mountain Route – 10 miles (16.5km) and 1150m of ascent.

• Day 6 - Buttermere to Keswick

  You leave Buttermere on a long, steady climb on good terrain with views of the Sail Beck and Rigg Beck valleys.  The superb views continue as you cross the Newlands Valley, walk under the famous Cat Bells before joining the Cumbria Way,  through glorious woods, eventually bringing you out on the shores of Derwent Water before strolling to the pretty market town of Keswick where you will spend the night – visit one of the cosy pubs or coffee shops for a celebration and well deserved rest.

   10 miles (16 km) and 490m of ascent.

  Mountain Route – 11 miles (17.5km) and 1020m of ascent.

• Day 7 - Keswick to Rosthwaite

  Taking one last look over the rooftops of Keswick, you will soon reach the beautiful setting of Castlerigg Stone Circle, constructed as a part of a megalithic tradition that lasted from 3,300 to 900 BC, during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages. Continue to walk across pleasant farmland before climbing to the summit of Walla Crag to enjoy the panoramic views on offer.  As you descent gently through the fells you will come to the pretty packhorse bridge in Ashness before climbing again through green woodland, eventually reaching the beautiful Borrowdale valley and Rosthwaite, where you will relax for the night.

   9.5 miles (15.5km) and 560m of ascent.

• Day 8 - Rosthwaite to Grasmere

  As you leave Borrowdale valley and start your climb into the fells make sure you take time to savour the views behind you, where the woodland, fells, green pastures and white cottages sit peacefully together.  Continue to climb the remote Greenup Gill using a steep but clear path to reach the ridgeline of Greenup Edge.  Descend over low crags and boggy ground before the path winds upwards again and follows the course of Far Easedale Gill, leading you to the lakeside village of Grasmere, where you will spend the night.

   8 miles (14 km) and 580m of ascent.

  Mountain Route – 10 miles (16km) and 1100m of ascent.

• Day 9 - Grasmere to Patterdale

  After a relaxing breakfast and time to explore the lovely village of Grasmere, you will start what is one of the shorter days by walking through peaceful farmland and quiet lanes, dominated by views of Helm Crag.  A bridleway will take you back up into the fells with the steep side of Seat Sandal on your left and the slopes of Great Rigg and Fairfield towering to your right.  The path is clear and good as you descent through the steep rocky terrain of Grisedale before arriving in the village of Patterdale, where you can relax for the night.

  8 miles (13km) and 610m of ascent.

  Mountain Route – 10 miles (16km) and 1100m of ascent.

• Day 10 - Patterdale to Ambleside

  The final day of your adventure offers a relaxing mix of lakeside, pastoral and fell walking.  Enjoy views towards Kirkstone Pass and the high fells of Fairfield and Hart Crag.  Follow the valley bottom straight into Ambleside and visit one of the cosy pubs or coffee shops for a celebration and well deserved rest.

  9.5 miles (15km) and 750m of ascent.

  Mountain Route – 11 miles (18km) and 750m of ascent (via Red Screes).

   

Notes:

You can start your ‘Lake District Round’ trip on any date (April to October), however please note, particularly in Ambleside, due to limited accommodation, this may not allow for one-night stays at weekends (due to restriction by the hoteliers). Therefore, to best avoid this scenario, we would recommend starting this trip on a mid-week date. Alternatively, if you wish to start at the weekend, a two-night stay may be required but your event planner would advise of that if necessary.

This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members’ fitness, weather conditions, accommodation availability, or for any other reason that may be deemed necessary. Any timings and mileages are approximate and for guidance purpose only.

We will always endeavour to accommodate you in the locations detailed in the above itinerary. Due to very high demand, some accommodation providers may occasionally have limited availability and so we may need to accommodate you in an alternative location, nearby. In this case, we will arrange a taxi transfer for you to take you from the trail to your accommodation and back again the following morning. An additional charge may be payable. We will notify you of this when confirming your booking

The Route

Reviews

Find some of the reviews our wonderful customers have left for us below, or read them all here!

Heather Parr
3 months ago

Maximum Adventure exceeded expectations, planning a trip for me last minute and off season through the glorious Lake District. The hotels were top rate, as was the food and my daily gluten free sandwich. Nathalie got the route guide sent to me in a couple of days and the baggage service was impeccable. It was the only tour guide company that responded immediately to my last minute request. Looking forward to more adventures with your company!!!

Chris Evans
3 months ago

David and I walked the Speyside Way in September 2023 and very much enjoyed the adventure. Maximum Adventure Ltd organised our nightly accommodation and uplifting of our luggage in a seamless manner, which made the whole trip so easy with no stress. This is the second time that I have personally used Maximum Adventures Ltd and I would recommend them to others as they offer a friendly and efficient service.

Göte Fredriksson
4 months ago

We realy appreciated the tour we did on Hadrians Wall path in May.Beautiful scenery, decent weather, god arrangements including lodging, transport, bagagehandling etc. We came well prepared . In this preparation Maximum adventures gave us great support, as we are coming from abroad with no knowledge of conditions on the path. We had great BnBs and could concentrate on de daily walks that gave us great pleasure.Thank you England and Hadrians Wall path for your friendly reception and well mantained walking path.Thank you Maximum Adventures for your good service.We would love to come back in the future.

Jerry Kashinski
4 months ago

Maximum Adventure did a great job for us. With less than a month's notice, it set up an itinerary, lodging and luggage porterage for a walk from Carlisle to Newcastle, England along Hadrian's Wall. The lodging was fantastic, as was the itinerary and support during the walk. We'd definitely use Maximum Adventure again and would recommend them without reservation!

Fiona Reilly
5 months ago

I was part of a climb on 23/09, didn't think I would make ut, but I did. The descent was a different story.. I got jelly legs and lost my confidence. If it wasn't for James, my Sherpa would never have made it. Can't thank him enough, Will, met you briefly.Both of them were very knowledgeable, we had the most amazing views at the summit...the pain is still worth it and

Tom Graham
5 months ago

I walked the West Highland Way with my dad and brother. The organisation was excellent by Samantha. Itinerary and instructions were clear and all the bookings and luggage transfers went smoothly. As a result we were able to ensure the fantastic walk and not worry about anything. I would happily recommend Maximum Adventure to others.

Sarah Bracken
5 months ago

Absolutely brilliant guide - knowledgeable, interesting and humorous in addition to looking after our safety so well - making sure we ate and suggesting when to layer up! Would highly recommend!

Diana Straub
6 months ago

We just got home from our 8-days Hadrian's Wall hike and we just loved it!Everything was perfectly organized!We had great B&Bs and hotels with very friendly, welcoming and helpful staff. Our favorite was the Dacre House with Clare. But then again, all were great!The luggage was always at the day's destination, no matter how early we got to the accommodation.The description of how to get to the accommodations were clear and precise.The road map and the guide book were waiting for us as we got to the first B&B and were very helpful and interestingThanks, Maximum Adventure!

Kristin Hentschel
6 months ago

Praise for the West Highland Hike and the Maximum Adventure planners, esp. our planner Samantha. Great experience in every regard.

Simon Bradish
6 months ago

Booked for the 3 UK Peaks adventure, it was organised perfectly and everything when to plan. Accommodation was good, transport excellent, our guide (Patrick) brilliant, so cannot fault the trip and adventure. I personally expected too much from myself and was unable to fully summit as this adventure is not for beginners, I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2003 when I was 42 and twenty years later, although relatively fit, my endurance didn't last. So I did a half summit for Ben Nevis & Scafell, thanks to Patrick for letting go back down on my own, it was brilliant. With Snowdon, a half summit is tricky as you can't descend the way you go up, so I decided to do some hiking in the area while the rest of the group did the climb. I took a chance and went to the ticket office and managed to get a single return ticket up to the summit of Snowdon at 9am which returned down by 11.30am. I was hoping to see my group on top and spring a surprise but the weather was terrible. I highly recommend the trip but make sure you are fit enough otherwise as there is an emphasis on time, so a slow walk up is going to slow everyone down and really delay the trip. Have Fun, Simon Bradish