Walking Holidays in the Lake District

Experience stunning scenery and spectacular views whilst walking in the Lake District National Park. Your journey could take you alongside or over breathtaking mountains and into peaceful hidden valleys on paths that wind their way to pretty villages and market towns. The Lake District has some of the best walking on offer in the UK and is suitable both for those looking for a challenge or those who would like to enjoy a gentler walking holiday.

The Cumbria Way takes you through the heart of the Lake District, allowing you to explore both the high fells and the historic Cumbrian valleys of Langdale and Borrowdale. The Westmorland Way is our other classic Lake District walking holiday that meanders through some of the best scenery the region has to offer, starting under the backdrop of the Pennines, passing through the Helvellyn range and ending with stunning sea views over Morecambe Bay.

The North Lakes Traverse and the Vale of Lorton are our two bespoke Lake District walking holidays that offer a chance to explore the quieter and more peaceful areas of the National Park. With a high and low level alternative the North Lakes Traverse is ideal for those wanting to "get off the beaten track" whilst still enjoying the mountains, valleys, woodlands, lakes and waterfalls. The Vale of Lorton is a circular walking holiday starting in the popular market town of Keswick and by following a variety of fellside paths, forest tracks and trails you are lead to the pretty traditional Lakeland hamlets of Buttermere and Loweswater.

To enjoy an in-depth experience of the spectacular landscapes of the region, The Inn Way to the Lake District and the Tour of the Lake District are two 90-mile circular walks that take in some of the more remote corners of the Lake District, including walking through stunning deep sided valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes.

The Cumbria Way takes advantage of high mountain passes, lakeshores and valley bottoms. It makes its way from Ulverston in the south of Cumbria, to the historic border city of Carlisle in the north, passing through Lakeland’s most famous scenery on the way.

The Cumbria Way bisects Cumbria from the market town of Ulverston, near the coast of Morecambe Bay in the south, to the historic city of Carlisle on the Scottish Border in the north. In between the two it passes through some of the Lake District’s most famous and spectacular scenery.

The route uses the valley systems wherever possible and therefore over most of its length it avoids the high fells. Lakeshore paths, ancient green lanes and paths at the bottom of steep sided valleys, all form part of this stunning route.

There are two sections in the higher fells, both on well established paths. Between Langdale and Borrowdale, over Stake Pass, and between Keswick and Caldbeck, over the flanks of Skiddaw.

Length

3 - 9 nights

Full Route Length

72 miles / 116 km

Shortest Break Length

28 miles / 45 km

Average Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Why do this walk?

Explore the very heart of the Lakes, with striking views of Lakeland's high fells.

Some great valley walking too - through Langdale and Borrowdale, the most famous Cumbrian valleys.

Walk under the craggy Langdale Pikes and along the shores of Derwentwater and Coniston water.

Enjoy a day in the wilderness of the 'Back o' Skiddaw'

The Lakes Inn Way is a 90 mile circular walk starting and finishing in the popular tourist town of Ambleside. This trail takes you through the Lake District’s stunning deep sided valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes – as well as past over 40 traditional Lakeland inns.

Inn Way Lake District

The Lakes Inn Way is a 90 mile circular walk starting and finishing in the popular tourist town of Ambleside. This trail takes in some of the more remote corners of the Lake District, and takes you through the Lake District’s stunning deep sided valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes – as well as past over 40 traditional Lakeland inns. Please be aware that this is a challenging route in places, you will need to be proficient in map reading and the use of a compass. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding the suitability of this walk, we are happy to advise.

The full route takes you through the popular tourist towns of Ambleside, Coniston, and Grasmere (site of Dove Cottage, former home of the Romantic Poet Wordsworth), as well as through a few of the Lake District’s most impressive valleys – Borrowdale, Ennerdale, and Great Langdale, linked together with paths over high mountain passes, with great views of the surrounding fells. A highlight is a visit to remote Wasdale Head, in the shadow of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

The Inn Way to the Lake District is a great combination, taking in the busier valleys and towns of the central Lake District, such as Ambleside, Coniston, Langdale, and Borrowdale as well as the more remote, quieter places of the western Lake District, including Buttermere, Wasdale and Eskdale – a true cross section of what the Lakes has to offer.

Why is the route known as the Inn Way to the Lake District? Because it is devised so that at each day the route passes a pub at lunchtime and there will always be one nearby – or you will be staying in one – at each overnight stop. There are many traditional Lakeland Inns to choose from, – so you can plan your trip looking forward to log fires, local ales and good food, often made with local produce.

‘The Inn Way’ is a Registered Trademark of Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ series of guidebooks.

Length

4 - 9 nights

Full Route Length

92 miles / 148 km

Shortest Break Length

40 miles / 64 km

Average Grade

Challenging

Why do this walk?

A challenging circular walk encompassing the best the Lakes has to offer.

Visit picturesque Lakeland villages and hamlets.

Explore the dramatic and remote valleys of Ennerdale and Wasdale.

Refresh yourself in some of the 40 traditional inns and pubs along the way!

This is one of our own routes, joining together the Lakes of Ullswater, Thirlmere and Derwentwater. A route that takes in the lakeshores, fells and mountain passes of the Northern Lakes.

Derwentwater - Walking in the Lake District

This is one of our own routes, winding around the lakes of Ullswater, Thirlmere and Derwentwater, then climbing over the mountain passes that separate them. This route takes in the lake shores, fells and mountain passes of the Northern Lake District, stopping in some of the prettiest villages of Lakeland. On the way you will experience quiet woodlands, plunging waterfalls and spectacular views as you climb over the fells.

Wherever possible we have built in high and low level alternatives, so the route can be adapted to suit your ability, or the weather! This route is a fine introduction to the North Western lakes, encompassing plenty of variety.

Length

4 - 6 nights

Full Route Length

42 miles / 68 km

Shortest Break Length

26 miles / 42 km

Average Grade

Moderate

Why do this walk?

'Off the beaten track' explore some of the quieter paths of the North West Lakes.

Great views of Ullswater, the Helvellyn range and the Borrowdale fells.

Visit the delightful hamlet of Watendlath hidden away in the fells.

Stay in a variety of friendly, characterful accommodation.

The Tour of the Lake District is a 93 mile circuit starting in the popular tourist town of Windermere. This trail takes in each of the main Lakeland valleys through the Lake District’s stunning deep-sided valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes.

The View along Wastwater towards Wasdale Head

The Tour of the Lake District is a 96 mile circuit starting in the popular tourist town of Windermere and following a clockwise round, finishes off in yet another popular tourist town, Ambleside. This trail takes in each of the main Lake District valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes.

You will follow in the footsteps of shepherds and drovers along ancient pathways from one valley to the next. Please be aware that this is a challenging route, you will need to be proficient in map reading and the use of a compass. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding the suitability of this walk, we are happy to help.

Starting in Windermere, the route takes you through the picturesque towns of Ambleside, Coniston, Keswick and Grasmere (site of Dove Cottage the former home of the romantic poet William Wordsworth). The route takes you through some of the Lake District’s most impressive valleys including the more remote valleys of the western Lake District such as Eskdale, Wasdale and Ennerdale, linked together with paths over high mountain passes. One of the many highlights of this scenic tour is a visit to the remote Wasdale Head in the shadow of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

Length

4 - 11 Nights

Full Route Length

96 miles / 149 km

Shortest Break Length

37 miles / 58 km

Average Grade

Challenging

Why do this walk?

Stay in the popular tourist towns of Keswick, Ambleside, Grasmere, and Coniston.

Walk along the shores of Wastwater and Buttermere.

Explore the dramatic and remote valleys of Eskdale, Ennerdale and Wasdale.

Visit the remote Wasdale Head in the shadow of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.

Our most gentle holiday in one of the quieter corners of the Lake District. The route takes in Whinlatter Forest Park and the shores of Buttermere and Loweswater, before climbing out of Buttermere village to drop into the delightful Newlands Valley.

Buttermere in the Lake District

This is our kindest holiday in one of the quietest areas of the Lake District National Park. It is based around the peaceful lakes of Loweswater, Crummock and Buttermere in the North West corner of the Lake District, and uses well defined paths, forestry tracks and country lanes.

The distances covered each day are relatively short with the exception of one mountain pass involving an easy climb of 200 metres. The route generally keeps to relatively flat valley bottoms and there is plenty of time to take it easy, enjoy some spectacular scenery and soak up the tranquility.

Length

4 - 6 nights

Full Route Length

28 miles / 45 km

Average Grade

Easy to Moderate

Why do this walk?

Peaceful walking in the quieter areas of the Lake District National Park.

Varied walking along forest trails, lake shores and remote valleys.

Starts and finishes in the bustling market town of Keswick.

The Westmorland Way is a 95 mile walk through the old county, starting in the shadow of the Pennine Chain and travelling on through Lakeland’s stunning scenery, finishing at the port of Arnside.

on the Westmorland Way

The scenic Westmorland Way is a 95 mile walk through the old county of that name, which now forms the south eastern part of Cumbria.

The route starts in Appleby, the county town of Westmorland, the perfect starting point in the shadow of the Pennine Chain. It then travels west and generally southwards, winding its way through some of the finest Lake District scenery, passing Ullswater, Grasmere and Windermere, before visiting the market town of Kendal. From there it follows the canal and tracks through woodlands and meadows to Westmorland’s only port, Arnside, on the shores of Morecambe Bay.

Length

4 - 10 nights

Full Route Length

95 miles / 152 km

Shortest Break Length

30 miles / 48 km

Average Grade

Moderate

Why do this walk?

A great introduction to the north eastern and central lakes along generally good paths.

Explore Ullswater, one of the most interesting of the Lakes, from the nearby fells and lakeshore.

Stay in Grasmere, location of Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth's home.

Explore bustling Lakeland villages and towns - lots of outdoor shops and good food!

Client Feedback

Thank you Mickledore! This was our 6th trip with you, and it was great.

Tour of the Lake District, September 2023
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Your staff seem really enthusiastic about your holidays and are very helpful when needed. It seems that our enjoyment of our holiday is important to your staff.

Westmorland Way, September 2023
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We felt well-informed every step of the way. You provided the transfers as requested and the rooms we requested and satisfied our special requests. We felt like we got every penny of our money’s worth.

Fife Coastal Path, September 2023
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