Lake District Walking Tour - Self-Guided
At a Glance
- 6 days, 5 nights
- 3* Hotels
- Self-Guided
- Pickup: Keswick
- Carbon: 82kg CO2e
- Difficulty: Moderate
Journey through the Lake District at your own pace with this Self Guided Valleys and Villages walking tour
Journey through the Lake District at your own pace with this Self Guided Valleys and Villages walking tour. Hike up towering fells, wind through hidden valleys and experience first-hand the stunning Lakeland landscape that inspired famed English poet, William Wordsworth.
Explore the vibrant market town of Keswick and marvel at the mirror-like surface of Derwentwater. Feast on fantastic local cuisine and rest up at the end of each day in the comfort of one of our handpicked hotels and B&Bs. Setting your own pace and with all the support you might need for the perfect self-guided walking tour, Active England promises an unforgettable adventure into the Lakes.
Longer walks and guided hikes up higher fells are of course available, for guests eager to take on more challenging terrain. Please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
- Challenge yourself to climb the height of Helvellyn!
- Explore Derwentwater by ferry
- Wander the bustling market town of Keswick
- Soak up the magical atmosphere at Castlerigg Stone Circle
- Climb the famous Catbells and enjoy spectacular views of Borrowdale and Derwentwater
- Local bed and breakfast accommodation
Your Itinerary
Our friendly local guide will meet you at your accommodation at 10am. Once you’re settled in you can head into Keswick for lunch. After refuelling, your first afternoon in the Lake District takes you to the atmospheric ancient stone circle of Castle Rigg. With views of the mountains, Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop, you’ll not be disappointed by your introduction to the Lake District. Enjoy your first night in Keswick at our recommended hotel.
Starting from Keswick you’ll make your way to the ferry where you can have an enjoyable boat ride across to Derwent Water where you’ll begin your hike up Catbells. The windy hike up Catbells will lead to an opportune photo stop at the summit and breathtaking views. The total hike is expected to take approximately 3-4 hours. We recommend stopping at a local deli in Keswick and purchasing freshly made sandwiches for a packed lunch to enjoy as a pitstop while hiking. After completing your summit, you’ll return to Keswick for a hearty British dinner.
6 miles – 1200ft elevation
Leaving Keswick on foot, you’ll head for the Skiddaw mountain range. Today’s hike is approximately 7 hours. With unrivalled open views, this is one of the best places for mountain walking in the northern Lake District. There is the option to do a shorter hike of Little Man Mountain which gives superb views of Kewsick with a less challenging climb. After a busy day, enjoy your evening in Keswick and relax at your accommodation.
9 miles – 2500ft elevation
Today you’ll tackle the highest mountain on this tour and the third-tallest mountain in England. You’ll catch the short bus from Keswick to Thilmere. Helvellyn is known for harbouring rare species of flora and fauna. Apart from our beloved Herdwick sheep, there are lots of birds who frequent the mountain. It’ll take you approximately 4 hours to complete the total climb and descent back down. We again recommend having lunch with you to enjoy the summit. Following your climb you’ll have time to explore the smaller town of Thilmere before returning to Keswick for the evening.
6.5 miles – 2500ft elevation
For your last day in the Lake District, you can enjoy a gentle lowland walk around Grasmere followed by exploring the town. Grasmere is famous for gingerbread so it’s well worth finding a local tearoom and sampling some delicious local produce. Another point of interest is the Wordsworth Museum. If you’d prefer to round off your trip with one final challenge then there is the option of climbing Blencathra which is approximately a 5 hour hike. It is your final evening in Keswick to sample some delicious local cuisine or enjoy the classic British pub atmosphere.
4 miles – 400ft elevation
After breakfast, check out from your accommodation and depart the Lake District at your own leisure. The Lake District is well positioned to continue onward travel further North into Northumberland or Scotland. Equally there are regular train connections to London and Southern England.
Map
Gallery
Handpicked Accommodation
The George Hotel
The George Hotel is in the centre of Keswick and is one of the oldest Inns in the Lake District. Built in 1655 it is full of wonderful character with exposed beams & sashed windows. The dining room offers legendary pub classics, with delightfully fresh modern twists. An anthology of expertly crafted cask ales adorn the bar, juggling with expertly distilled gins and plenty of wine.
What our guides say...
High fells, hidden valleys and some of the most stunning landscapes in the UK, all explored at your own pace.
What’s Included
- All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
- All breakfasts
- GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
- All baggage transportation
Accommodation Types
We have handpicked the best family run, independent and country hotels, pubs and guest houses. Cosy and with informal dining, these country hotels are friendly and relaxed, with great menus with locally sourced food and ales. Our handpicked accommodation is 3* with the option to upgrade to 4* for an additional cost.
Difficulty Level
This tour is rated moderate, meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good walk and can handle an incline or two. We cover varied terrain, enjoying some rolling hills and a few steeper walks which are slightly more demanding. Daily distances range from 4-10 miles. Rewarding views are guaranteed!
Equipment Provided
We’ll provide walking poles if required.
Pre & Post Tour Travel
Pick-up location: Keswick. Penrith is the nearest station to Keswick. Penrith is a direct train journey from London Euston. Penrith can also be reached via other major UK cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle. Once you have reached the Lake District we recommend using a local taxi service to your accommodation in Keswick. Alternatively, there are bus services that run from Penrith to Keswick.
End-of-tour location: Keswick. Penrith is the nearest train station for onward travel.
FAQ's
Where is the Lake District?
The Lake District is in the North West of England, with rugged mountains (fells), dramatic lakes (meres) and deep valleys formed by Ice Age glaciers. It contains England’s highest mountain, and deepest lake, and is both a National Park and a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its natural wild beauty and cultural significance, having inspired generations of poets, writers and artists.
What is the best way to get to the Lake District?
The best way to travel to the Lake District is by train, approximately a 4 hour direct journey from London Paddington to Penrith.
You can also fly into Manchester and transfer to the start of the tour from there. We can also arrange pre and post accommodation at a range of different locations so you can arrive relaxed, refreshed and ready to start your tour.
Alternatively we can arrange a private transfer for you from London – the drive is approximately 5 hours.
How hilly is the Lake District?
The North of England is hillier than many of the other regions of England. However the Lake District has a variety of routes which makes the regions great walking country and suitable for those who are moderately fit and active. There are many hills, fells and moors but the incredible views from the top more than make up from the ascents! However, you will be able to miss out some of the steeper inclines – or add in some hillier walks for those looking to stretch their legs. There are routes for everyone and we can tailor your tour to your specific preferences.
Make this trip private
Our private tours are based on our tried and tested group departures with two key differences. They offer you the freedom to travel when you wish and with whoever you’d like to holiday with.
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Carbon Footprint
What’s the Number?
Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, we’ve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. We’ve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliers…
What does the number mean?
We’re going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?
- Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
- Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
- Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
- Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.
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We’re committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. We’ve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.
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