LAKE DISTRICT HOSTEL HOP This four-day route covers 50 miles and Skiddaw Blencathra climbs 24 mountains, staying at a different YHA hostel every night – which makes Distance 24km (15 miles) Wainwrights bagged for unburdened walking. The route can KESWICK RAILWAY KESWICK TO FOOTPATH CloughHELVELLYN Head, Great Dodd, start and finish at any hostel, but Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow s Dodd, Raise, White Side, the directions below are written Keswick Clough Head Helvellyn, Catstycam for a clockwise circuit. Enjoy! How tough? Gentle low-level start followed by high, wide KESWICK ridge-walk to Helvellyn. The THE CUMBRIA descent over Swirral Edge is exposed Grade 1 scrambling. WAY DERWENT s Distance 17.5km (10¾ miles) WATER Great Dodd WainwrightsBORROWDALE bagged: Dale Head,TO KESWICK High Spy, This town-centre hostel provides Maiden Moor, Cat Bells a welcome alternative to the seclusion of the other three. You How tough? Steep climb to can spend the evening relaxing in Dale Head summit (753m), the hostel or head out to the pubs SKI followed by rolling ridge walk s of Keswick. SLOPE across Newlands Fells to E Raise Cat Bells L Keswick. The route finishes THIRLMERE by following the Cumbria A SWIRRAL Way around Derwent Water. D EDGE HELVELLYN W Helvellyn s (950m) s O Dale Head s High Spy high point R (753m) R of the day Standing 963ft up England’s third highest high point O STRIDING EDGE peak, YHA Helvellyn is a dream refuge for of the day B mountain lovers. You can walk, cycle, climb, scramble and even ski from the door. Situated on the banks of the River Derwent, this BORROWDALE spectacular wooden- Fairfield HONISTER fronted hostel has (873m) been fully modernised SLATE MINE on the inside, while GRISEDALE high point still retaining its rustic TARN charm. A real classic. sof the day Gibson Knott s Glaramara Distance 17km (10½ miles) WainwrightsHELVELLYN bagged TO s Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon Helm Crag LANGDALE Allen Crags Pike, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Stone Arthur How tough? Striding Edge is an exciting Grade 1 scramble EASEDALE that experienced walkers will Distance 23km (14¼ miles) Pavey Ark TARN love! The rest of the route is s WainwrightsLANGDALE bagged TO classic Lakes fellwalking. LingmoorBORROWDALE Fell, Pike of Blisco, Esk Pike Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk STICKLE TARN Pike, Allen Crags, Glaramara How tough? Possibly the Langdale THE GREAT Pikes SLAB toughest of the four days. Grasmere The route is long and rocky, with a steep pull up to Pike of Blisco and plenty of s undulation before the E descent into Borrowdale. L A Bowfell D G RYDAL (902m) N high point L A WATER of the day This converted Victorian mansion s is perched above its own three-tier Crinkle Crags arbotoreum that's managed by the National Trust, and offers fantastic THE BAD STEP views of the nearby Langdale Pikes. Pike of s s LANGDALE Blisco Lingmoor BLEA TARN Fell Every month Trail is packed with cut-out-and-keep route cards, inspirational features, Plan your own Lake District hostel hop expert skills, tips and all the latest gear to help you plan your next outdoor adventure. by visiting www.yha.org.uk Discover more about the UK's best-selling hillwalking magazine at www.livefortheoutdoors.com ILLUSTRATION STEVE HALL.