4-Night Northern Lake District Guided Walking Holiday Tour Style: Guided Walking Destinations: Lake District & England Trip code: DBBOB-4 2, 3 & 5 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Known as the ‘Queen of the Lakes’, Derwent Water’s gentle beauty is easy to explore on our Guided Walking holidays. Surrounded by the picture-postcard valleys of Buttermere and Borrowdale and lofty mountains, the sheer splendour of these landscapes is guaranteed to inspire you. WHAT'S INCLUDED • High quality en-suite accommodation in our country house • Full board from dinner upon arrival to breakfast on departure day • 3 days guided walking • Use of our comprehensive Discovery Point • Choice of up to three guided walks each walking day • The services of HF Holidays Walking Leaders www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Head out on guided walks to discover the varied beauty of the Northern Lake District on foot • Admire panoramic mountain, lake and river views from fells and peaks • Let our experienced leader bring classic routes and offbeat areas to life • Enjoy magnificent Lake District mountainscape scenery and visit charming Lakeland villages • Look out for wildlife, find secret corners and learn about the Lakes’ history • A relaxed pace of discovery in a sociable group keen to get some fresh air in one of England’s most beautiful walking areas TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded Activity Level 2, 3 and 5, Explore the beautiful Lake District on our guided walks. We offer a great range of walks to suit everyone - from gentle lakeside walks, to challenging mountain ridges. You may wish to summit famous 'Wainwright' peaks, or discover peaceful corners and picturesque valleys. Join our friendly and knowledgeable guides who will bring this stunning national park to life. 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: Whinlatter Option 1 - Newlands Valley Distance: 6 miles (10km) Ascent: 700 feet (200m) In Summary: Walk through the tranquil green Newlands Valley, passing the remote church and charming hamlet of Little Town, on our walk back to our country house. Highlight: Discover the locations featured in Beatrix Potter's Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, and find out more about the vicar's daughter who became the book's child heroine. Option 2 - Forest Trail Via Comb Beck Distance: 9.5 miles (15.5km) Ascent: 1,850 feet (560m) In Summary: We use the minor roads and field paths to Braithwaite and enter the woodland to reach Comb Beck. Tracing the beck's course through the forest we arrive at Whinlatter Visitor Centre. Our descent takes us through the trees emerging on the ridge path from Grisedale Pike where with luck we will have extensive views before returning via Braithwaite. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: Superb views from below Grisedale Pike. Option 3 - Grisedale Pike Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5km) Ascent: 2,560 feet (780m) In Summary: Grisedale Pike is the prominent and elegant peak seen from the front of Derwent Bank. We cross to Braithwaite and ascend the well used ridge path to the summit. Our descent uses the pleasant heathery Hobcarton ridge which offers views of Whinlatter pass and the west. We return via forest paths and tracks, joining our outward route just above Braithwaite and then take the roads and paths to the house. Highlight: On a clear day there are views in all directions from the summit of Grisedale Pike including the impressive neighbouring Hopegill Head. Day 3: Skiddaw Option 1 - Applethwaite And Latrigg Distance: 7.5 miles (12.5km) Ascent: 1,000 feet (300m) In Summary: This walk takes us across flat fields towards the imposing mass of Skiddaw. From the hamlet of Applethwaite we start our gentle climb to the summit of Latrigg. We descend into the market town of Keswick before a level walk across fields and rivers back to the country house. Highlight: Latrigg packs a real punch for a smaller fell with superb views across Keswick and Derwentwater towards Borrowdale. Option 2 - Dodd Distance: 9.5 miles (15.5km) Ascent: 2,000 feet (600m) In Summary: This walk follows the same route out and back making the most of the views in both directions. After crossing fields to the hamlet of Applethwaite, the path rises quite steeply through Thornthwaite forest to the summit of Dodd. From the top the views over Bassenthwaite Lake are beautiful. Highlight: Keep your eyes peeled, if you are lucky you may be able to spot Ospreys. Option 3 - Skiddaw Distance: 11.5 miles (18km) Ascent: 3,200 feet (970m) In summary: Skiddaw dominates the skyline at the northern end of Derwentwater. This route visits the quiet hamlet of Millbeck before a steep but steady climb to Carl Side. From here, we take a challenging route over steep and loose ground to the broad summit of Lakeland's 4th highest peak. We then descend a well used path to the Cumbria Way and then Keswick, taking in outstanding views of Derwentwater towards Borrowdale. From Keswick, fields and quiet roads take us back to the house. Highlight: Hopefully we will be rewarded with fantastic views in every direction from the lofty summit of Skiddaw. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 4: Above Ullswater Option 1 - Ullswater Way & Aira Force Distance: 7 miles (11.3km) Ascent: 1253 feet (382m) In Summary: From Bennethead we follow paths through fields and woodland before gently climbing to the summit of Gowbarrow with its wonderful views over Ullswater. After a steeper descent we follow the cascades of Aira Beck to reach the famous waterfall of Aira Force. To finish we follow the Ullswater Way to Glenridding. Highlight: Spending time near Ullswater, described by Wordsworth as 'the happiest combination of beauty and grandeur which any of the lakes affords'. Option 2 - Aira Force & Sheffield Pike Distance: 9 miles (14½km) Ascent: 2,300 feet (700m) In summary: Walk from the Aira Force waterfall around the hillside above the Glencoyne Valley to the summit of Sheffield Pike which occupies a commanding position overlooking Ullswater. Highlight: The impressive waterfall of Aira Force is one of a series of cascades in this delightful wooded valley. Option 3 - Fairfield & St Sunday Crag Distance: 8½ miles (13½km) Ascent: 3,250 ft (1,000m) In summary: A fine horseshoe walk that takes in the long ridge of Hartsop-above-How and the summits of Hart Crag, Fairfield and St Sunday Crag. Highlight: The ridge between Fairfield and St Sunday Crag is challenging in places, but is a stunning way to cross between these two impressive mountains. 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. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 2: Newlands Valley Option 1 - Swinside Circuit Distance: 5.5 miles (9km) Ascent: 500 feet (150m) In Summary: This gentle walk takes us into the Newlands valley, a sparsely populated farming area surrounded by high fells. After following Newlands Beck we cross the valley to the lower slopes of Cat Bells returning to the house via fields and woodland. Highlight: Explore quaint Newlands Church, which once inspired William Wordsworth. Option 2 - Barrow & Outerside Distance: 8.8 miles (14.1km) Ascent: 2,132 feet (650m) In Summary: Cross the Newlands Valley to climb the neighbouring fells of Outerside and Barrow in the Coledale Valley. Highlight: The grassy slopes of Outerside and Barrow are two delightful lower fells with great views over Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater. Option 3 - Causey Pike Distance: 9.5 miles (15.5km) Ascent: 2,756 feet (840m) In Summary: We'll leave from the house for this circular walk, reaching the summit of Causey Pike and Outerside before making our way back. Highlight: Spectacular views of the surrounding fells and Derwentwater. Day 3: Derwentwater Option 1 - Friar's Crag And Castle Head Distance: 6 miles (9.5km) Ascent: 450 feet (140m) In summary: We follow minor roads and a field path to Keswick. From the centre of town we head for the lake shore and view point. We then ascend to a rocky summit affording views over Derwentwater before returning to the town centre through woodland. Highlight: Delightful views over Derwentwater and beyond from Castle Head. Option 2 - Around Derwentwater Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 5 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Ascent: 850 feet (260m) In summary: Following footpaths and the lake shore for much of this walk, we will make a complete circuit of stunning Derwentwater. Beginning from the house we first walk through Keswick before heading along the east of the lake then returning through beautiful woodland along the western shores to our country house. Highlight: Spectacular, ever changing views of the all the fells around the lake including the imposing Skiddaw range and famous Cat Bells. Option 3 - Bleaberry Fell And High Seat Distance: 12.5 miles (20km) Ascent: 2439 feet (739m) In Summary: After a pleasant walk into the centre of Keswick we ascend steadily alongside Brockley Beck to emerge on the open top of Walla Crag. There are superb views over the lake, town and surrounding fells. We continue up to the summits of Bleaberry Fell and High Seat, before descending to the much photographed Ashness Bridge, from where we follow woodland paths to Derwentwater.