Lake District Wainwright Bagging Holiday - the Eastern Fells
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Lake District Wainwright Bagging Holiday - the Eastern Fells Tour Style: Challenge Walks Destinations: Lake District & England Trip code: DBWBJ-7 Trip Walking Grade: 6 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Wainwright bagging, perfect when you want to release your inner explorer! Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides have provided the inspiration for many a fell walker, with over two million copies of the books selling since their publication. There are 214 fells described within his books and this holiday takes in all 35 of the fells he enthuses about in his Eastern Fells pictorial guide, in one fabulous, challenging holiday. The Eastern Fells are a large block of mountains, bordered by Thirlmere on one side and Ullswater on the other. In an energetic week of serious hiking it’s possible to do the lot. We criss-cross the mountains with a few out-and-back extensions here and there to make sure we bag the lot. Some very tough days amongst some of Cumbria’s finest fells. HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Follow in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright exploring some of his favourite fells • Bag all 35 of the summits in his Eastern Fells Pictorial Guide • Enjoy challenging walking with wonderful views and a great sense of achievement www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 • Admire panoramic mountain, lake and river views from fells and peaks • Let an experienced walking leader bring classic routes and offbeat areas to life • Enjoy magnificent Lake District scenery • Stay in a beautiful country house where you can relax and share stories of your day in the evenings TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded walking Activity Level 6. We explore the Northern Fells with long distance walks covering vast amounts of ground. This holiday is designed for experienced long walkers who have good fitness. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check-in to your room from 4.30pm. Day 2: Deepdale To Patterdale Distance: 8 miles (13km) Total Ascent: 3,300 feet (1,000m) Today we tackle our own Deepdale Round, starting at Deepdale bridge and heading up onto Hartsop, above How and Hart Crag, before topping off at Fairfield for stunning views across the Lakes. Fairfield is our high point today, we’re then heading over to St Sunday Crag, onto Birks and back down to Patterdale for a well-earned pint. Day 3: Grasmere To Rydal Distance: 5½ miles (8.5km) Total Ascent: 2,450 feet (1,250m) A steep ascent takes us to Stone Arthur, our first Wainwright of the day, with views over Grasmere. From Stone Arthur we follow the path up to the highest point of today’s walk, Great Rigg, with stunning vistas as a reward. We descend to Heron Pike, and bag Nab Scar before heading for our final destination of Rydal. Day 4: Helvellyn Distance: 9½ miles (15km) Total Ascent: 4,050 feet (1,220m) We follow Glenridding Beck west, before climbing steeply to Birkhouse Moor and on to Hole in the Wall (nowadays a step stile). With Red Tarn to our left we press on to Catstye Cam before starting the ascent of Helvellyn via Swirral Edge. From the summit of Helvellyn we bag two more Wainwrights - Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike - before descending steeply to Grisedale Tarn. From here we tackle Seat Sandal, the final summit of today's walk, which gives fantastic views across to Steel Fell. Our final descent takes us to the Travellers Rest, for a well-earned drink. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 5: Red Screes Distance: 8½ miles (13.5km) Total Ascent: 3,800 feet (1,160m) We start today with a steady ascent from Kirkstone Pass, which gradually becomes steeper as we make our way up to Red Screes. Taking a small diversion to Middle Dodd, and High Hartsop Dodd, we continue along the ridge to Dove Crag – the pinnacle of today's walk. From here we begin our descent to Ambleside, passing High Pike and Low Pike as we go. Day 6: The Dodds Distance: 13½ miles (21.5km) Total Ascent: 4,050 feet (1,240m) A steep climb takes us out of Glenridding, to Glenridding Dodd, where we continue our ascent over Heron Pike and onto Sheffield Pike. Scouting along the Glencoyn Head, we pass Hart Side before heading south west to Raise, the highest of today’s Wainwrights. From here we follow the Dodds north (Stybarrow, Watson’s and Great Dodd), before reaching Clough Head which offers breathtaking views across to Blencathra. We finish today with a steady descent along the old coach road to Threlkeld Quarry. Day 7: Above Ullswater Distance: 7½ miles (12km) Total Ascent: 2,450 feet (760m) We start today with a short climb to the summit of Great Mell Fell, before descending and crossing the valley to Little Mell Fell. We then pass through Swinburn's Park towards Gowbarrow the final Wainwright of the week. We will be rewarded with fantastic unspoilt views of Ullswater before descending to Dockray where we can celebrate this fantastic achievement with a pint in the pub. Day 8: Departure Day Enjoy a final breakfast before making your way home. ACCOMMODATION Derwent Bank Close to Keswick and situated slap bang on the shore of Derwentwater, with the glassy lake on one side and the razor-edged ridges, humpbacked fells and muscular mountains of the Lake District on the other, beautiful Derwent Bank has been entrancing walkers since 1785. Extensive refurbishment and investment have seen this established walkers’ retreat transformed into a beautiful country house hotel perfect for people looking to explore the great outdoors. It’s also perfect for drinking in the views over a glass of something chilled on the terrace. With 41 bedrooms across the main house and garden rooms as well as a rustic ‘pod’ to sleep in, there’s plenty of space, along with a pretty orangery, large lounge and relaxed vibe. The lakeside land encompasses a formal garden, extensive lawns and mature trees. The emphasis is on enjoying the great www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 outdoors and it’s all made super easy with walkers’ facilities from an inspiration point equipped with maps and route ideas to a boot room and drying space – this is the Lakes, after all. With views of Cat Bells and Grizedale Pike, the inspiration for adventure is never far away. Venture out from the house to head to the high peaks such as Scafell Pike, Blencathra and Helvellyn or stick to the lower slopes and lakes; Ullswater, arguably the most beautiful of the Cumbrian lakes, Borrowdale and Buttermere are all within easy reach. Matchless Country House Accommodation Accommodation Info Need To Know Important Covid-19 Steps We Have Taken For Guest Safety: Please Read Following the relaxation in government guidance on 19 July, we are continuing to take extra steps to keep our guests leaders, and staff safe in our HF country houses. We ask all our guests to respect the measures put in place. The English, Scottish and Welsh governments are not in sync, so measures in our country houses will vary between the nations. With the relaxation of social distancing in England, from 19 July we will be allowing larger groups to dine and relax in the bar together. However, we will still give guests space e.g. we will seat 6 people at a table where pre-pandemic we may have seated 8. We will ensure our public rooms are well ventilated by opening doors and windows wherever possible. If you have any concerns about distancing, please speak to the House Manager. The government recommendation for England is to wear face coverings in crowded areas. You must wear a face covering by law in public areas in hotels in Scotland. This is mandatory in public spaces; however, face coverings will not be required whilst eating and drinking in the restaurant and bar areas or whilst you are outside our houses. In Wales face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. As a temporary measure, we will not be servicing rooms during a stay. Extra tea, coffee, milk, and toiletries will be made available on request for all guests. It is recommended that guests bring their own toiletries for the duration of their stay. We will though be increasing the frequency of cleaning in our public areas providing particular attention to frequently touched items including door handles and handrails. Menus for the week will be available in your room on arrival. A self-service breakfast will be served from 7.45am – 9am. Picnic lunches will now be pre-ordered the night before from an order form in the room. Evening meals will be table service. A dinner order form will be available in each room for completion. Dinner is served at either 7.15pm or 7.30pm. Please check at the house for details. The bar will be open. We will be offering a table service but guests can also come to the bar to order (depending on local restrictions). Join our team after dinner on Wednesday evenings for the HF Big Pub Quiz. There will be one other evening of entertainment at the start of the week, which will vary depending on the country house that you are staying at. Our Walk Leaders will also be on hand in the bar or lounge for individual or small group walks talks briefings, which allow guests to talk through the following day’s walk options and ask any questions.