Guided Walking

Guided Walking

Lake District Guided Walking offers 3 levels of walking as set out below. When selecting which level would be best for you, it is important to take into account your personal fitness and the equipment required. Information to help with this choice can be found on the ‘Walk Information’ page. Naturally the weather on the day has an influence on the level of walk that can be undertaken.

Walking holidays in the Lake District and the other areas that we cover can be enjoyed at any time of year. Weather can be a factor in any season and there is a lot of truth in the old saying –

‘There is no such thing as bad weather, rather the wrong choice of clothing’. My own favourite seasons are early Spring, when the freshness and expectation of new life and growth can be seen everywhere and Autumn, when the colours on the fells and in the valleys are amazing.

 

High Hills – High Mountain Terrain, often rocky. Visiting summits over 750 metres. Usually good paths, although we often seek quieter routes up the most popular hills. This category also includes long walks over lower summits. Walk lengths are usually between 5 and 14 miles; 3 – 8 hours walking. Listed below are a few examples of the many harder walks available –

• The South Langdale Skyline from Rosset Pass to Pike of Blisco
• Helvellyn via Catstye Cam and Swirral Edge
• Scafell Pike via Styhead and the Corridor route
• The Mardale round with High Street
• The Coniston Skyline
• Sprinkling Tarn and Great Gable
• Blencathra by Hall’s Fell ridge
• The Coledale Round with Crag Hill
• Buttermere South Ridge
• The Langdale Pikes
• High level crossing of the Howgill Range
• Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang Edge
• Cross Fell and the High Pennines

 

Exploring Fells – The lower fells with summits below 750 metres. Can be rocky but usually on good paths. Less strenuous days than the High Hills with walk lengths  5 – 10 miles; 3 – 6 hours walking. A few examples of ‘Exploring Fells’ walks are shown below -

• Swindale's Northern ridge
• High Spy to Catbells
• The Easedale skyline
• Bannerdale Crags and the Glenderamackin Valley
• Ullswater and Place Fell with steamer trip
• The Weasdale Horseshoe
• The Calf from Cautley Spout
• The high route from Cautley Spout to Coldbeck House
• Swarth Fell and Wild Boar Fell
• High Cup Nick and Murton Pike
• Ingleborough and the limestone pavements

 

Lakes and Valleys – You don’t have to go high to find beautiful  and stimulating walking. These walks seldom venture above 400 metres and will generally be easy walking on good paths. Walk lengths 4 – 10 miles; 3 – 6 hours walking. These walks can be accomplished in almost any weather. A few examples of the amazing Lakes and Valleys walks in the area –

• The Eastern shores of Ullswater with a Steamer trip
• Wise Een tarn and Claife heights – Beatrix Potter Land
• Coniston's Coppermines Valley and Lever's Water
• Around Derwent Water
• Grisedale Forest and Carron Crag
• Ash Fell and Smardale Gill nature reserve
• The wilds of upper Mallerstang Valley
• Great Asby Scar, Potts Valley and Smardale
• Dufton and Flakebridge Woods
• Around Kisdon Pike
• Lacy's Cave and Long Meg

Requests for specific walks can be discussed at the time of booking.

Mountain Challenges and Long Distance Trails
Apart from the categories above guiding can be provided for specific Mountain Challenges and Long Distance footpaths such as Wainwright’s Coast to Coast. Please ring or email to discuss. Guiding for other mountain areas in the UK is available by arrangement. 

Introduction to Mountain Walking
We can give information and advice to facilitate your introduction into the wonderful world of mountain walking. Clothing, equipment, planning, mountain safety and navigation are all topics that can be covered before and during the walking. Taster sessions can provide a gentle way into the mountain environment.

Please Note
The walks will go ahead in all weathers and would only be cancelled if the conditions could compromise safety. Reasonable options can usually be found even in the foulest weather.

In the words of Alfred Wainwright -

"I wish you all many happy days on the fells in the years ahead. There will be fair winds and foul, days of sun and days of rain. But enjoy them all".