On our first afternoon, we walk to the beautiful Loughrigg Tarn, from where we get views into the Langdale Valley and to the craggy fells that point towards England’s highest mountains.  From there, our track continues down into Elterwater village and then back to our hotel along the side of Langdale Beck with its spectacular waterfall at Skelwith Force. 

We start this day in Ambleside, exploring the Roman fort at
Galava before walking down to Waterhead where we board the ferry to Bowness on Windermere.  After a brief tour of Bowness, we take the cross-lake ferry to the quiet Western shore where an enchanting lakeside track leads north, weaving through ancient woodland but also offering occasional views across the lake towards The Eastern Fells.  We follow the track as far as the stunning grounds of Wray Castle, a Victorian mansion now managed by the National Trust.  A network of paths leads on from there, into a large area of mixed native woodland, rich in colour and bird life.  We arrive back at our hotel after a varied and fascinating journey with time to relax before dinner.

[7 hours walking, 14 km]

We complete a circuit of the dramatic Langdale Valley, following tracks along the valley bottom to Stickle Ghyll which tumbles down from the Langdale Pikes in a mile-long series of cascades.  After a very scenic coffee-stop, it’s onward
to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, the last substantial dwelling in the valley, encircled by some of the highest, most dramatic and shapely peaks in the Lake
District.

Returning along the south side of the valley bottom, our route again follows a section of The Cumbria Way as it weaves through woodland at Baysbrown and then back along the riverside to our hotel.

[6 hours walking, 13 km]

Our walk starts and ends in the picturesque Coniston
Village, in the shadow of the iconic mountain known as ‘The Old Man’ and by the delightful Coniston Water, scene of Donald Campbell’s dramatic crash as he tried to break the water speed record back in the ‘sixties.

The route of the old dismantled railway line provides an easy way south from the village, taking us as far as Hoathwaite, where a path leads down to the lake shore, with views across the lake to Ruskin’s old house at Brantwood and the backdrop of greenery provided by Grizedale Forest.

Following the lake shore again, we encounter the Bluebird café, from where the steam gondola departs and where beginners enjoy their first dinghy-sailing experiences.  Tracks lead back to the village where we have time to pick up the odd memento or grab some afternoon tea before our transport takes us back to the hotel.

[6 hours walking, 13 km]

From Skelwith Bridge, we head along the Cumbria Way, this time towards Little Langdale.  We visit the unforgettable Cathedral Cavern and the delightful Colwith Force, a lesser-known waterfall tucked away in the woods near Elterwater village.

[3.5 hours walking, 7 km]