4-Night Southern Lake District Guided Walking Holiday Tour Style: Guided Walking Destinations: Lake District & England Trip code: CNBOB-4 2, 3 & 5 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Relax and admire magnificent mountain views from our Country House on the shores of Conistonwater. Walk in the footsteps of Wordsworth, Ruskin and Beatrix Potter, as you discover the places that stirred their imaginations. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenes with lakeside strolls, taking a cruise across the lake on the steam yacht Gondola, or enjoy getting nose-to-nose with the high peaks as you explore their heights. Whatever your passion, you’ll be struck with awe as you explore this much-loved area of the Lake District. HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Head out on guided walks to discover the varied beauty of the South Lakes on foot • Choose a valley bottom stroll or reach for the summits on fell walks and horseshoe hikes • Let our experienced leaders bring classic routes and hidden gems to life • Visit charming Lakeland villages • A relaxed pace of discovery in a sociable group keen to get some fresh air in one of England’s most beautiful walking areas www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 • Evenings in our country house where you can share a drink and re-live the day’s adventures TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded Activity Level 2, 3 and 5. Our best-selling Guided Walking holidays run throughout the year - with their daily choice of up to 3 walks, these breaks are ideal for anyone who enjoys exploring the countryside on foot. Perhaps choose an Easier walk, then build up to something more challenging as your holiday progresses. ITINERARY Version 1 Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: The Langdale Valley Option 1 - The Langdale Valleys Distance: 7 miles (12km) Ascent: 1,350 feet (420m) In Summary: Walk along the peaceful valley of Little Langdale with its waterfalls and iconic Slaters Bridge. We pass Blea Tarn, then descend into the larger neighbouring valley of Great Langdale. Highlight: Beautiful Blea Tarn, with its impressive views of some of the Lake District's most famous peaks. Option 2 - Above Langdale Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) Ascent: 2,200 feet (680m) In Summary: Ascend to the great viewpoints of Side Pike and Lingmoor on the Langdale skyline. We descend to Elterwater Village to join the Cumbria Way along the base of this immense glacial valley. Highlight: 'Threading the needle' (squeezing through a narrow fissure) to reach the summit of Lingmoor, and its classic view of the Langdale Pikes. Option 3 - Bow Fell Distance: 9½ miles (15.5km) Ascent: 3,300 feet (1,000m) In Summary: Climb two of the Lake District’s highest peaks. We first ascend to the top of Bow Fell via The Band , before continuing to the equally impressive Esk Pike. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: There's a great sense of achievement in scaling the two highest summits of the Langdale valley, on this challenging but rewarding walk. Day 3: Grasmere And Easedale Option 1 - Grasmere & Easedale Distance: 6 miles (10km) Ascent: 1000 feet (300m) In Summary: Starting from the village of Grasmere we’ll walk to Easedale Tarn, an impressive glacial lake. Highlight: There's time to explore Grasmere, famous as the home of poet William Wordsworth. Don't forget to seek out the poet's grave in the village churchyard, or sample the famous (and very tasty) Grasmere Gingerbread. Option 2 - Helm Crag & Calf Crag Distance: 8 miles (13km) Ascent: 1,950 feet (580m) In Summary: An opportunity to climb Helm Crag, one of the most distinctive Lakeland Fells with the ‘Lion and the Lamb’ rock formations on the summit. We’ll follow the ridge to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag before descending via Far Easedale. Highlight: It's a steep climb to the top of Helm Crag, but you'll be rewarded with great views over Grasmere. Option 3 - Sergeant Man, Codale Head, Calf Crag And Helm Crag Distance: 9.5 miles (15km) Ascent: 2600ft (790m) In Summary: We leave the beautiful village of Grasmere and start the climb towards Easedale Tarn and then Sergeant Man. From Sergeant Man we follow paths across to Calf Crag, before a fantastic ridge takes us to Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. A steep descent then takes us to a well earned rest in Grasmere. Highlight: Enjoy the superb views into Langdale from Sergeant Man, as well as exploring several Wainwrights along this great walk. Day 4: Hawkshead And The Coniston Fells Option 1 - Hawkshead Distance: 7.5 miles (12km) Ascent: 1,100 feet (360m) In Summary: A figure of 8 walk visiting the iconic beauty spot Tarn Hows, then across fields and open fell to the pretty village of Hawkshead. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: Hawkshead with its myriad of narrow alleyways. The countryside that inspired Beatrix Potter. Option 2 - Old Man Of Coniston Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) Ascent: 2,800 feet (860m) In Summary: An opportunity to climb to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston – the highest peak in the local area. We’ll pass two mountain lakes – Goats Water on the ascent and Levers Water on our return to Coniston. Highlight: The sense of achievement when you reach the top of the 'Old Man' - as one of the more accessible big fells it is a magnet for many walkers. Option 3 - Coniston Old Man And Dow Crag Distance: 11 miles (17.6km) Ascent: 2900ft (977m) In Summary: A high level route taking in two iconic mountains. Highlight: From the top of Coniston Old Man, the views across Goats Water take in the magnificent eastern crags of Dow Crag, thought by many to be the second most impressive rock structure in the Lake District. Day 5: Departure Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. Version 2 Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: The Langdale Fells Option 1 - Langdale Valley Distance: 7 miles (11km) Ascent: 770 feet (270m) In Summary: Follow the Langdale Valley past Elterwater village, to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel through increasingly grand scenery. Highlight: The two spectacular waterfalls of Colwith Force and Skelwith Force; two of the best cascades in the www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Lake District. Option 2 - Crinkle Crags Distance: 7½ miles (12.5km) Ascent: 2,600 feet (800m) In Summary: Enjoy this high-level traverse along the aptly named Crinkle Crags with its undulating five mini- summits. Highlight: Negotiating the ‘Bad Step’ – a short scramble over an impressive chock stone wedged between the crags. Option 3 - Langdale Pikes Distance: 9½ miles (15km) Ascent: 3,050 feet (940m) In Summary: Explore the popular Langdale Pikes with visits to the summits of Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike O’Stickle and Rossett Pike. Highlight: This walk along the Langdale skyline contains some of Lakeland's most iconic peaks. Day 3: Troutbeck And The Far Eastern Fells Option 1 - Troutbeck To Ambleside Distance: 6 miles (9.5km) Ascent: 900 feet (280m) In Summary: Enjoy fabulous views of Windermere from the lower slopes of Wansfell on a walk from 17th century Jesus Church at Troutbeck to Ambleside. Highlight: There's plenty of time to explore the popular town of Ambleside or relax by the lake shore. Option 2 - Sallows & Sour Howes Distance: 8½ miles (14km) Ascent: 2000 feet (620m) In Summary: Starting in Troutbeck we ascend the quiet neighbouring fells of Sallows and Sour Howes. The walk returns into Troutbeck village passing an old coaching inn, before continuing to Ambleside along gentle paths via Skelghyll Woods. Highlight: Enjoy wide ranging views along Windermere, and over Morecambe Bay beyond. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 5 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Option 3 - Far Eastern Fells Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) Ascent: 2,550 feet (780m) In Summary: A fantastic high-level walk from the Kirkstone Pass, taking in the summits of Stony Cove Pike and Thornthwaite Beacon before following the superb high level ridge South over the summits of Froswick, lll Bell and Yoke. Highlight: The spectacular ridgeline traverse of Troutbeck's three high fells, Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke is a walk to savour. Day 4: Little Langdale & The Coniston Fells Option 1 - Coppermines Valley Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km) Ascent: 1,200 feet (380m) In Summary: Walk in the historic Coppermines valley and the lower slopes of Coniston Old Man. Highlight: The history of mining in the area and feeling of being in among the fells. Option 2 - Little Langdale And High Tilberthwaite Distance: 7.5 miles (12.5km) Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m) In Summary: A walk past Yew Tree Tarn to the picturesque valley of Little Langdale. Pass the impressive Cathedral Cave hewn out of the hillside and an ancient quarryman's bridge known as Slater Bridge. Return to the house via High Tilberthwaite. An abundance of riches! Highlight: The juxtaposition of soft, Lake District valley with the relics of an industrial past. Option 3 - Swirl How And Wetherlam From Coniston Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5km) Ascent: 3700ft (1113m) In Summary: A mountain top ridge walk with one mild scramble. Highlight: The top of Swirl How, with the ridges and views heading off in all directions.