Tour of the Lake District

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.

Our Holidays

We have 3 options on the Tour of the Lake District. You can walk the whole route over 9 or 10 days, alternatively you can walk from Windermere to Keswick via the Western Lakes over 6 days or enjoy a short break from Keswick to Ambleside over 3 days.

The section from Windermere to Keswick takes you through the quieter, more remote Western Lakes, including the beautiful valleys of Ennerdale, Wasdale and Eskdale. The short break from Keswick to Ambleside for those with less time, takes in the popular tourist hotspots of Keswick and Grasmere and includes a visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Please bear in mind that the distances each day are trail distances only. They do not take into account walking to your accommodation. On some days the accommodation might be on or close to the trail but on other days you may need to walk one or two miles to get to your overnight stop.

Tour of the Lake District

Windermere to Ambleside 96 miles/154 km

The whole Tour of the Lake District starts in Windermere and heads to Ambleside before taking in each of the main Lakeland valleys along lake shores and over remote mountain passes, completing the circuit in Ambleside.

Code Length Average per day Price range
TL10 9 days walking (10 nights) 11 miles/18 km $2499 - $3129 Full Info Book
TL11 10 days walking (11 nights) 10 miles/16 km $2733 - $3433 Full Info Book

The Western Tour

Windermere to Keswick 59 miles/95 km

This is a shorter option to the full route, but still takes in the quieter Western Lakes, including the remote valleys of Ennerdale, Wasdale and Eskdale, as well as the popular tourist towns of Ambleside and Coniston before finishing in Keswick.

Code Length Average per day Price range
TLW7 6 days walking (7 nights) 10 miles/16 km $1852 - $2272 Full Info Book

The Eastern Tour

Keswick to Ambleside 37 miles/60 km

This is a shorter option for those with less time, taking in the popular tourist hotspots of Keswick and Grasmere before finishing in Ambleside.

Code Length Average per day Price range
TLE4 3 days walking (4 nights) 12 miles/19 km $1117 - $1327 Full Info Book

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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This is our 4th holiday with you and you have always delivered. This was definitely our toughest walk but we knew it would be. We will definitely come back again.

Tour of the Lake District, July 2021
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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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