Cumbria Way Guided Trail
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Cumbria Way Guided Trail Tour Style: Guided Trails Destinations: Lake District & England Trip code: DBLCA Trip Walking Grade: 4 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Our Cumbria Way route is from Carlisle to Ulverston and passes through Dalston, Caldbeck, Keswick, Grange, Elterwater, Coniston and Gawthwaite. It passes through a variety of terrain, from the pastoral beauty of the Caldew Valley and the wildness of the northern fells, to the shorelines of Derwent and Coniston Waters. It is not a high-level route, only once ascending above 2,000 feet, instead it follows the valleys and contours around the higher ground. HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • A grand journey through the heart of the Lake District • Walk the length of Cumbria from Carlisle to Ulverston • Stay at Derwent Bank and Monk Coniston TRIP SUITABILITY This Guided Walking /Hiking Trail is graded 4 which involves walks/hikes of long distances in remote countryside and rough terrain. Sustained ascents and descents and occasional sections of steep ground are encountered. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 You will require a good level of fitness as you will be walking every day. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the relevant fitness and equipment required to join this holiday. Fitness We want you to be confident that you can meet the demands of each walking day and get the most out of your holiday. Please be sure you can manage the mileage and ascent detailed in the daily itineraries. It is important for your own enjoyment, and that of your fellow guests that you can maintain the pace. It makes a lot of sense to spend time getting some additional exercise before your holiday. We suggest that you try to fit in a number of longer walks, including some on hilly terrain. Other exercises such as cycling, jogging and swimming are also excellent for developing increased stamina. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day Your leader will give you an introductory talk about your holiday Day 2: Carlisle To Sebergham Our walk starts in the border city of Carlisle. We leave streets and buildings behind as we walk through the pastoral beauty of the Caldew Valley to Sebergham, passing through the village of Dalston and enjoying the riverside views of Rose Castle, the imposing former home of the Bishops of Carlisle. 12½ miles (20km), with 750 feet (220m) of ascent. Day 3: Sebergham To Mosedale From Sebergham we walk along the banks of the River Caldew and through wooded hillsides to the village of Caldbeck, made famous by John Peel whose grave is in the village churchyard. We ascend to the summit of High Pike (2,157 feet), the most northerly of the Lakeland peaks, with fine views to Scotland and the Pennines. We descend below Great Lingy Hill, walking past old mine workings along Grainsgill Beck as we head along www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 the valley to Mosedale. 9½ miles (15.5km), with 2,300 feet (700m) of ascent. Day 4: Mosedale To Derwent Bank Along the River Caldew valley with Bowscale Fell on our left and Carrock Fell to the right, we continue between Knott and Mungrisdale Common, passing Great Calva to Skiddaw House. We leave the River Caldew, which has its source on the eastern slopes of Skiddaw and continue in high open country between Skiddaw and Blencathra. The path contours Lonscale Fell and along the side of Glenderaterra Valley, passing below Lonscale Crags. Passing Latrigg we descend to Keswick and back to Derwent Bank. 10½ miles (17km), with 1,200 feet (380m) of ascent. Day 5: Derwent Bank To Great Langdale We follow the creeks, inlets and bays of Derwent Water below Cat Bells with superb views across Derwent Water to Skiddaw. The countryside changes to the lush valley scenery of Borrowdale, full of ancient woodland and spectacular rocky crags so typical of the volcanic rock of the central Lakeland fells. From Rosthwaite we follow the river to enter Stonethwaite and Langstrath valley beneath the towering heights of Eagle Crag, Heron Crag and Sergeant’s Crag. We cross Stake Beck and ascend to Stake Pass. Crossing open moorland, we descend into the valley of Mickleden and down below the Langdale Pikes to finish in Great Langdale at New Dungeon Ghyll. 14½ miles (23km), with 2,400 feet (740m) of ascent. Day 6: Great Langdale To Sunny Bank From New Dungeon Ghyll we follow Great Langdale Beck past Elterwater and Skelwith Force waterfall to Skelwith Bridge. The route turns west to Colwith Force waterfall, and meanders through fields, ancient lanes and woodland paths to the beauty spot of Tarn Hows. We continue through pasture and woodland to Coniston and along the western side of Coniston Water to finish at Sunny Bank. 14½ miles (23½km), with 1,650 feet (520m) of ascent. Day 7: Sunny Bank To Ulverston Crossing Torver Beck at Sunny Bank we follow tracks over rough country to reach Beacon Tarn. Heading towards Gawthwaite we say goodbye to the Lake District National Park. We descend to the village of Broughton Beck and ascend again to Osmotherley parish church which has good views of the Coniston fells. Crossing field paths we climb Bortree Stile for a fine view over Morecambe Bay, and then along the wooded banks of Gillbanks Beck towards the market town of Ulverston and the end of The Cumbria Way. 11½ miles (18.5km), with 1,550 feet (480m) of ascent. Day 8: Departure Day 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 www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 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 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.