Lake District Self-guided Central Lakes

This four day walk through Central Lakeland is a challenging circuit of the best the Lakes has to offer. The itinerary has been carefully crafted to provide a wide variety of scenery and walking conditions. Starting and finishing in Ambleside the hiking includes the major peaks of Consiton Old Man, Swirl How, Fairfied, and the Langdale Pikes as well as several lesser peaks and quintessential mountain tarns such as Grisedlae, Loughrigg, Stickle Tarn and Tarn Hows. This walk packs a lot of scenery into the four days - probably the best four day circuit in the Central Lakes.

On each day there are two options - a relatively moderate walk and a more demanding alternative. They both reach the same place at the end of the day so you can mix and match as you go along depending how you feel when you set off each morning.

Itinerary (4 days walking, 5 nights acccommodation)

Arrive Ambleside. Overnight at hotel

Walk Day 1: Ambleside to Coniston

Option A (moderate)
From the hotel you walk through Ambleside to a bridge across the River Rothay which leads to the start of the path up Loughrigg Fell. Following this as far as Ivy Crag for superb views over Windermere, the path then traverses below the bulk of Loughrigg Fell before descending to Tarn Foot and on to Skelwith Bridge. The trail climbs past the waterfalls of Colwith Force and through the woods of Tarn Hows before a descent to the village of Coniston.
8½ miles. 1875 ft ascent / 1878 ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
Today's walk begins with a traverse of Loughrigg Fell. The climb to the summit at 1101 feet is delightful and the views in every direction are spectacular. From the northern end of the fell you have a particularly beautiful vista over Grasmere lake before dropping down to the Loughrigg Terrace and following the quiet road over the Red Bank to Loughrigg Tarn and thence to Skelwith Bridge. The final part of the journey passes through the woods of Tarn Hows before a descent to the village of Coniston.
10½ miles. 2643 ft ascent / 2646 ft descent.

Walk Day 2: Coniston to Langdale

Option A (moderate)
Today's easier walk option offers an insight to Coniston's industrial heritage passing through the relics of the old copper mines before following a trail high above the valley to Tiblbethwaite Gyll and into Little Langdale. A short stretch on the Wrynose Pass road leads to Hollin crag where a path leads past Ble Tarn and a final steep descent into the main Langdale Valley.
7½ miles. 2165 ft ascent / 2035 ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
You begin the day with an ascent of the Old Man of Coniston. A superb ridge line is then followed over the neighbouring tops of Swirl How and Great Carrs before descending to the Three Shire Stone on the lonely Wrynose Pass road. The road is followed briefly downhill with the stunning panorama of the Langdale Pikes ahead of you and a track then leads across the fern-covered hillside to Blea Tarn. Beyond the tarn the road is crossed again before the final descent into the Langdale Valley.
8½ miles. 3490 ft ascent / 3360 ft descent.

Walk Day 3: Langdale to Grasmere

Option A (moderate)
The trail heads below the butresses of Raven Crag before beginning a steep climb to the quintessential mountain lake of Stickle Tarn below the impressive cliffs of Pavey Ark where you have a sensational retrospective over the valley and to distant Windermere. The path now climbs gently to the wide top of Blea Rigg and then makes a steep descent to Easedale Tarn. Finally the outlet from the tarn is followed past the Sour Milk Waterfalls down to Goody Bridge and on to Grasmere, the home of Lakeland poetry.
5 miles. 1695 ft ascent / 1800 ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
A sensational mountain day begins with a steep ascent to Stickle Tarn below the brooding crags of Pavey Ark. From here you make the ascent of Harrison Stickle (2403 ft), the highest of the Langdale Pikes. From this lofty top the path strikes out north over Thunacar Knott (2351 ft) to High Raise (2500 ft). Now descending Greenup Edge, you cross to the head of Far Easdlae before following a splendid ridge line over Calf Crag and Gibson Knott to reach Helm Crag above Grasmere. A final steep descent brings you to the door of your accommodation in the village.
8½ miles. 3125 ft ascent / 3230 ft descent.

Walk Day 4: Grasmere to Ambleside

Option A (moderate)
A highly scenic and pleasant option to finish the tour starts with a stiff climb following a quiet road out of Grasmere towards the Red Bank where you access the Loughrigg Terrace, a wonderful 'green way' which passes high above Grasmere lake and then past Rydal Water. A detour to the massive cave at Loughrigg quarries is well worth the effort and a final stroll beside the River Rothay brings you back to Ambleside.
5 miles. 650 ft ascent / 700 ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
A fitting climax to this Central Lakes trek is this traverse of the ridges of the Fairfield group beginning with an ascent of Fairfield (2863 ft) itself and then over Hart Crag (2698 ft) to Dove Crag (2603 ft) and finishing with a superb decent over High Pike and Low Pike on one of Lakeland's finest ridges which ends right in the heart of Ambleside.
8½ miles. 3125 ft ascent / 3175 ft descent.

Depart Ambleside

Price (accommodation only): £375

Price (accommodation and luggage transfer): £435

Price is per person based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Please contact us direct for a quote for one person or for single rooms.