Vale of Lorton

Lorton Vale Circular from Keswick in 5 Days Walking Code: VL6

We offer 2 itineraries covering the whole route. The 3 day option has 2 days with 10 miles of walking, while the 5 day option has daily distances of 7 miles or less.

Of our 2 Vale of Lorton itineraries this is the one for the walker with more time, covering the route in 5 days. This walk offers great views over a reasonable timeframe.

Miles Km
Day 1 Travel to Keswick for your first nights accommodation
Day 2 Transfer to Whinlatter then Walk to Lorton 4 6
Day 3 Lorton to Loweswater 6 10
Day 4 Loweswater to Buttermere 7 11
Day 5 Buttermere to Newlands then transfer to Buttermere 7 11
Day 6 Transfer back to Newlands then walk to Keswick 4 6
Day 7 Depart from Keswick after breakfast

Keswick to Lorton
Your first day of walking begins in Whinlatter Forest Park which straddles Whinlatter Pass, between Bassenthwaite and Lorton – you will be taken here by taxi. Alternatively you may walk from Keswick, however this will add 6 miles, mostly uphill.

Starting at the top of the pass the first day is nearly all downhill! Using forest, field and fell side tracks the route makes its way to the Lakeland village of Lorton which is today’s destination.

Lorton to Loweswater
Continuing downhill you will notice the beautiful views across Crummock Water and Loweswater to the Buttermere fells. The route then skirts along the base of Grassmoor before crossing the end of Crummock water and on to the night’s stop in the hamlet of Loweswater.

Loweswater to Buttermere
Today you will walk through the remote valley of Mosedale before returning to the shores of Crummock water to another quiet Lakeland hamlet of Buttermere, situated under the higher fells, between the lakes of Crummock and Buttermere – today’s destination.

Buttermere to Newlands
Day 4 involves the only significant climb of the trip, as the route climbs out of Buttermere and back towards Keswick. It climbs to around 200m (650ft) on well defined paths over the fell sides. Once the pass is reached, the path drops down again to the peaceful Newlands valley.

Newlands to Keswick
From the Newlands valley the route meanders on before skirting the slopes of Catbells, en-route for Keswick and the end of this walk.

Easy to Moderate

The Vale of Lorton walk is a pretty, gentle walk by Lake District standards, generally on good paths, and with only moderate ascents and descents. The distances covered each day are short, giving you time to enjoy the landscape along the way.

Terrain: A mixture of forest paths, wooded lake shores and tracks following the lower slopes of the fells, with one (fairly low) mountain pass between Buttermere and Newlands.

What’s it like underfoot? The paths and tracks that are followed on this route are well defined and maintained, although between Loweswater and Buttermere, the valley of Mosedale can often be wet underfoot. There is a short section between Buttermere and Newlands where the path, while still well defined, becomes rougher as it crosses steeper ground.

How Much Up & Down? Not too much for a Lakeland walk. There is around 290m (950ft) between Lorton and Loweswater, 260m (850ft) between Loweswater and Buttermere, and 470m (1550ft) between Buttermere and Newlands, but much less on the other days.

Signposting: None – this is one of our own routes. You will need to use you route description and map.

Navigation: Not too difficult – the paths are well defined, but you will need to read a map and use the route description.

Weather: You may be lucky enough to encounter warm, dry weather over the whole route and enjoy dry paths and tremendous views, but you must be prepared because the weather can change quickly. Good clothing and waterproofs essential!

 

All Holidays
Accommodation Overnight Bed and Breakfast accommodation in selected hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest houses and family B&Bs.Full English or Continental breakfast.
Route Description
A detailed description setting out your route.
Information of Services Along the Route A comprehensive Service Info sheet, including services such as cash points, banks, post offices, village shops, inns, cafes and taxis.
Maps An Ordnance Survey Explorer (1:25000) maps covering the entire route.
Personal Itinerary A personal itinerary setting out each overnight stop, including large scale maps of each accommodation, to ensure you find it easily.
Emergency Telephone Support If you get in to difficulties during your holiday, we are always available to help, even out of office hours.
12.5% discount at Cotswold Outdoors We will issue you with a 12.5% Discount Card valid at all Cotswold Outdoor stores, and online, for the whole year on confirmation of your booking.
Options
Luggage Transport We will transfer your luggage between each overnight stop – if you leave your luggage at the accommodation when you set off in the morning, it will be moved on to your next B&B. You only need to carry a small day sack with the clothes and provisions you require during the day’s walk.
Packed Lunches
Provided for each day’s walking and recommended on this holiday as there will not always be a handy shop or cafe on the route.
Off Road Parking If you are travelling by car we can usually arrange off road parking for the duration of your trip. (There may be a small charge for this).
Arrangement of return transport We can also arrange your transfer back to your car, (or advise you when public transport is a better option)!
What’s not Included
Evening Meals Your evening meal isn’t included in the package, but we include full details and recommendations for each evening meal in your itinerary. You will normally be within walking distance of a pub and/or restaurant, or where there is good food available at the accommodation, we’ll book that for you. Allow about £20.00 per night.
Transport to the Start & Away from the Finish Have a look at the “Travel Info” tab above for suggestions. If you’re still struggling, get in touch and we’ll help you sort it out.
Travel Insurance Even if you are based inthe UK travel insurance is worth having.

Good accommodation and friendly hosts are an essential part of any holiday. We understand this and go out of our way to find the best. We put a great deal of effort into hand picking our accommodation and matching it to individual customer requirements. As well as visiting the accommodation ourselves, we ask all our customers to complete a short evaluation on each night’s accommodation, which then gives us an insight into the day-to-day operation and lets us spot any potential issues before they become a problem.

We use a variety of accommodation. Over the course of your trip you might stay in a village inn, a bed and breakfast in a converted barn, a Victorian guest house, or on a working farm. In selecting the accommodation we look for helpful, friendly hosts with good quality, characterful accommodation close to the trail. Occasionally we may use a chain hotel.

We always try to arrange en suite accommodation, i.e. rooms with their own bathrooms for each night of your stay. However, in some of the more remote locations accommodation is limited and occasionally we may have to book rooms with shared bathrooms for one or two nights of your holiday, (especially if the booking is made at short notice), but we will always let you know if this is likely to be the case.

We are happy to book single rooms on our holidays but cannot normally book more than two for any one group. Single room bookings include a supplement.

General travel information for the Vale of Lorton area will be in your holiday pack including train and bus timetables where available.

Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps.

To view train times please visit trainline where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline

If you require secure car parking whilst walking this route, please contact us for information.

Getting There:
By Air:
The nearest international airports are Manchester (MAN) or Newcastle (NCL). You can travel by train to Penrith (approx 2 hours from both) and then bus or taxi to Keswick (18 miles).
By Public Transport: Keswick’s nearest railway station is Penrith (PNR). You can travel on one of the regular buses to Keswick, or by taxi (18 miles). Keswick has a central bus station, and you are usually no longer than a 5/10minute stroll to your accommodation, or a couple of minutes in a taxi.
By Road: Keswick is in the Northern Lake District in the county of Cumbria. The A66 passes right along the edge of the town, and the nearest motorway is the M6.

Returning from Keswick:
By Public Transport:
Travel by bus from Keswick to either Penrith railway station (18 miles) or the larger station in Carlisle (37 miles).
By Road: A66 to Penrith (18 miles) for the M6 motorway.

Keswick

Keswick is a bustling market town centred around the historic Moot Hall, with a vast array of outdoor shops – if you need any outdoor gear, you will get it here! There is a wide choice of places to eat or have a coffee, and a range of galleries to visit. Enjoy one of the easy, short walks down to the lakeshore from where there is a regular launch service around Derwentwater. Or pop into our offices to say hello or book your next holiday!

Prices USD ($)
Accommodation, map & guidebook only $1088
with Luggage Transport $1211
with Packed Lunches $1159
with Luggage & Lunches $1277

Other Options

Extra Nights (per night) $117
Single Supplement (per night) $75
Solo Luggage Supplement (per day) $19