Secret Valleys
SECRET VALLEYS GUIDED WALKING BREAK IN THE LAKES
£445
2 nights, 2.5 walking days
Grade: 2 - Easy to Moderate
- Relax, refresh and recharge on a perfect short break in the heart of the best Lakeland scenery where walks begin right from the front door.
- A chance to be guided to some of the quieter locations unvisited by the crowds and known best by local walkers and Lakeland aficionados.
- All walks will be led by our experienced walk leader who will help group members get to know each other and will keep the group together, moving at a relaxed pace that everyone can enjoy.
- Relax in Rydal Hall grounds with cascading waterfalls and a 1909 Thomas Mawson garden.
- Enjoy easy, on-foot access to our walks - no need to use the car.
The holiday cost on a full board basis with single en-suite accommodation is £445. This trip can be combined with our Short Hikes To Special Places break to make a 4-night stay for £860. 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 - Rydal Beck Falls
If you can, join us on the arrival day by 1:30 pm for a half day local walk to meet the others in our group and get to know the surroundings close by. Our route takes us up alongside Rydal Beck Falls and into the valley above, a serene basin of wild land enclosed by the long ridges of the Fairfield Horseshoe.
[3 hours walking]
For those who are unable to arrive by 1:30 pm, join us for dinner at 6:30 pm, after which we will talk through our planned programme.
Day 2 - Far Easedale
An exploration of Green Burn and Far Easedale takes us past the waterfalls there and into another lesser-known valley, perfect for quiet walking and strewn with perfect picnic spots (we'll have a packed lunch with us, of course!). On returning, we visit the wooded banks of the River Rothay before making our way back to Rydal Hall, landing conveniently at the tea shop where the tables are positioned perfectly for a view of the cascades.
[5-6 hours walking]
Day 3 - Scandale
Hiking through the elegant grounds of Rydal Park, once the approach to The Hall itself, takes us to the foot of Scandale. This quiet valley provides more scenic wonders and tumbling waterfalls. And for those who are ready to face the crowds, it is just a short detour into Ambleside on our way back and a chance to pick up a memento or two.
[3 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
Our base is the very comfortable Rydal Hall, set in its own stunning formal gardens with waterfalls, pools, an arboretum, tea shop and bar. The Rydal Hall team strive to offer a great service to all customers, and we have chosen it for its excellent food, unbeatable location and friendly staff.
Rydal Hall is situated 2 miles north of Ambleside in Cumbria.
Postcode: LA22 9LX.
If you prefer to drive, free parking is available in the hall grounds. SImply collect your parking permit from reception. The area is easily accessed by public transport: take the train to Windermere and complete the journey (6 miles) by taxi or bus from the railway station.
