Borrowdale's Best Walks
BORROWDALE & THE NORTH LAKE DISTRICT WITH SCAFELL PIKE OPTION
£945
4 nights, 4.5 walking days
Grade: 3 - Moderate
Grade: 5 - Challenging (option)
- A week of breathtaking walks and views based from our unique location at the head of Borrowdale, perhaps Lakeland’s most scenic valley.
- Join a friendly group of like-minded walkers and make new hiking friends. A perfect week for those who enjoy reaching a summit or two with the sense of achievement this brings.
- If you’re feeling fit on the day, take the Scafell Pike option. For two of our days, we’ll have a second walk leader along to offer the option of a walk to Scafell Pike, England’s highest summit.
- Once you’ve arrived at the hotel, hang up your car keys and let us organise all walking routes and transfers to and from our walks where these are required.
- Enjoy superb cuisine from the kitchens of our most popular and comfortable venue.
The holiday cost on a full board basis with single en-suite accommodation is £945. If you are travelling with a friend or partner and would like to share a room, please contact us for cost and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Valley Walk
If you can, join us on the arrival day by 2 pm for a half day local walk to get to know your fellow travellers and the environment close by.
[3 hours walking]
For those who are unable to arrive by then, join us for dinner at 6:30 pm, after which we will talk through our planned programme.
Day 2 - Catbells
Hike through the 'Jaws of Borrowdale' and via Catbells summit to Keswick. Catbells is renowned for its spectacular panoramas of Derwent Water and the Borrowdale Valley.
[6 hours walking]
Day 3 - Dock Tarn
Our route takes us via Dock Tarn to the quiet village of Watendlath. From there we head for Derwentwater Lake shore, and the picturesque hamlet of Grange. The River Derwent then leads us back through rich woodland, along the valley floor to our hotel.
[5 hours walking]
Day 4 - Sprinkling Tarn & Scafell Pike
Grade 3 Option: Hike up to Styhead Tarn and Sprinkling Tarn, beautiful miniature lakes set high in the hills at 450m and 600m altitude. En route we pass by Taylor Gill Force, an impressive waterfall where Styhead Gill drops 42m into the Seathwaite Valley.
[5 hours walking]
Grade 5 Option: Ascend Scafell Pike via Esk Hause. This is a full mountain day but one that brings the reward of reaching the highest peak in England.
[7-8 hours walking]
Day 5 - Langstrath Valley
A 4-hour walk to Langstrath Valley, home of wild and beautiful locations including a long chain of idyllic dipping pools. We aim to finish our programme by 2 pm.
[4 hours walking]
Please note that the above itinerary is subject to weather conditions being favourable. Walking times shown are approximations and may vary. Our aim, above all, is to make the right choice each day so that we enjoy the most appropriate route for the conditions.
Accommodation
For our north Lake District walking holiday we will be based at the Glaramara Hotel near Rosthwaite in Borrowdale. Its location is second to none, set deep in the heart of the most spectacular Lakeland valley. It also offers great food, a comfortable bar, and an extensive garden where you can relax after a day of fresh air and exercise.
Hotel postcode: CA12 5XQ
To reach Glaramara by public transport, take the train to Penrith, from where buses to Keswick and then to Seatoller take you almost to the front door of our hotel.
To reach Glaramara by car, leave the M6 at Jn 40. Then take the A66 to Keswick and the B5289 to Seatoller.
