Lake District Guided Walking Holiday
Hike in England’s Lake District and explore a breathtaking landscape of fells, valleys, and shimmering lakes. Our journey takes us through some of the most iconic areas – the tranquil Coniston Water, the dramatic Langdale Pikes, the lofty heights of Bowfell, the ridge of Helvellyn, and a few more other incredible trails.
Highlights
- Explore the glorious English Lake District
- Sample local hospitality in a characterful inn
- Spectacular mountain scenery around every corner
- Discover trails through the mountains and along the lakeshore
- A perfect destination for walkers who love wild, varied landscapes
This region has inspired poets, writers, and walkers for centuries, and it’s easy to see why. From gentle lakeside paths to high mountain ridges, the Lake District offers an ever-changing tapestry of scenery, green valleys criss-crossed by dry stone walls, glassy waters reflecting the sky, and rugged summits with panoramic views.
Grade: Intermediate
READ GRADE DESCRIPTIONAt a Glance
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 950M (3116ft) |
| Countries Visited | England |
| Meet In | Ambleside, UK |
Dates and Prices
2027 Departures
| Code | Start Date | Return Date | Duration | Price | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIL1 |
15 May 2027
Saturday |
22 May 2027
Saturday |
8 days |
£2,395
Deposit: £650 |
Spaces Available | Book Now |
What's Included
- The guiding services of a fully qualified International Mountain Leader
- 7 Nights half board (breakfast and dinner): based on two people sharing
- Transfers to and from each hike
- Ferry back to Keswick
- Guide expenses
What's Not Included
- Poles
- Lunches
- Travel Insurance - required
- Travel to & from meeting point
- Miscellaneous personal spending
Itinerary
This evening you will meet your guide at your accommodation in Ambleside for a Meet and Greet and a dinner. They will be available to discuss the itinerary and answer any questions about the week ahead.
A 20 min drive takes us to the Village of Coniston, situated in Southern Lake District
From here we start our mid mountain circular walk by ascending into the copper mines valley where the remains of the copper mine workings can still be seen with the rugged peak of Coniston Old Man above. From here we ascend to a col and traverse beneath Weatherlam before descending into Tilberthwaite valley, which is known for its scenic beauty and slate mining history. We continue along the valley to visit the disused, but none the less impressive Hodge Close Quarry. Our return back to Coniston is along ancient bridal ways and woodland paths.
Distance 13km (7.9 miles) Ascent & Descent 425m (1395 ft) 4-5 hours
A 20-minute drive from our hotel takes us into the beautiful Great Langdale Valley, where we begin our walk from the historic Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. This lush green valley is dotted with Herdwick sheep farms surrounded by stunning peaks. We begin our circular walk passing a traditional Herdwick sheep farm, Stool End, before winding our way up Oxendale Valley. A steady ascent leads us to the summit of Pike O Blisco. On a good day the views of surrounding peaks such as Langdale Pikes are spectacular. From here we descend towards Little Langdale valley before a short ascent to Blea Tarn. The final descent takes us back to the ODG Hotel where there’s an opportunity to buy a refreshing pint of local beer.
Distance 13.2km (8.2 miles) Ascent & Descent 700m (2296 ft ) 5-6 hours
Today’s walk starts from our Hotel. From here we pass “Galava Roman Fort” to a minor road where we make our way along the river Rothay followed by our ascent of Loughrigg fell. This circular walk is varied and interesting with views of different valleys including Great Langdale and Grasmere. Part way around we can take in the summit of Loughrigg fell (335m), before descending to Grasmere Lake and Rydal water. The latter part of this walk can be varied and include Rydal Hall dating back to 1650 and the Coffin Route which was used in medieval times to carry coffins from Grasmere to Ambleside.
Distance 12km (8 miles) Ascent & Descent 290m (950 ft) 4-5 hours
Heading North a 15 minute drive takes us into the Village of Grasmere, once home to famous Lake District poets, William and Dorothy Wordsworth. From the village we walk along the pretty Easdale valley, before ascending Sour Milk Gill to Easdale tarn. Depending on conditions we have the option to ascend further to the remote Codale Tarn, before traversing to the summit of Tarn Crag where we can take in the views of surrounding fells such as the Helvellyn range. Our descent follows a meandering path to the head of Far Easdale valley where we make our way back to Grasmere Village.
Distance 11km (7.5 miles) Ascent & Descent 490m (1607 ft) 5-6 hours
A half hour drive to the North Lakes will take us to the small Market town of Keswick. We begin our walk along the Cumbria way via the village of Portinscale. Along the East side of Derwent water a woodland walk takes us past Lingholm house once used as a favourite holiday location for the famous children’s Author Beatrix Potter. Further along there’s a coffee and ice cream stop before we begin our ascent of Catbells. The ascent is steep in places but there will be plenty of opportunity to take a break and admire the stunning surrounding views of the North Lakes. Once on the summit we descend to Derwent water where a ferry at Hawes End can take us back across the lake to Keswick.
Distance 9km (6 miles) Ascent & Descent 370m (1214 ft) Duration: 4-5 hours.
Our final hike ascends the third-highest peak in England, making it a favorite among hikers and Wainwright baggers. Helvellyn has a rich history, including an attempt to land an airplane on the summit in 1926. You will start from Thirlmere Reservoir, before climbing above Helvellyn Gill passing Brown Cove Crags along the way. From here the terrain plateaus as head towards the summit. Weather permitting the 360 degree views are impressive with ridge of striding and swirl edge below. From here a longer circular route can be done by following the plateau ridge along and down towards the steep descent of Comb Gill. A traversing path then leads you back to the start.
Distance 7km (4.5 miles) Ascent & Descent 770m (2526 ft) Duration 4-5 hours
Longer route 11km (7 miles) Ascent & Descent 770m (2526 ft) Duration 6-7 hours
Tracks and Trails services end after breakfast.
It is our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
Accommodation
We aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. Our trip fees are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. A single room may be available for your private use, but requires early booking and will incur a supplementary charge. For further details refer to Trip Information > Single Supplements. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking and is an indication of our accommodation, not a guarantee. Note it is unusual to have air conditioning in bedrooms in the mountain areas where our trips take place. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
The Ambleside Inn, Ambleside
The Ambleside Inn is a traditional Lakeland inn in the heart of Ambleside.
The traditional Lakeland inn has over 300 years of history and offers comfortable, characterful rooms with en-suite facilities, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities. Downstairs, the welcoming pub serves hearty meals using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, alongside local ales, perfect for relaxing after a day of walking. We'd highly recommend you go and explore the town of Ambleside after one of the walks, as it is one of the Lake District’s most popular towns.
Trip Information
Arriving by train/bus:
Once you have arrived in the UK, you take the train to Oxenholme. From there, there is a train each hour to Windermere. Once arrived in Windermere you can either take the bus or a taxi to get to your hotel in Ambleside.
Getting to and from the UK:
The nearest airport to Oxenholme is Manchester airport. From the airport it is about a 1.5h journey on the train to Oxenholme, with a train each hour.
Departure:
On the morning of your departure you either take the taxi or bus to Windermere and from there continue your travel to Oxenholme and the airport.
It is your responsibility to ensure any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and the activity you will be undertaking. Tracks & Trails cannot advise on insurance policies or be held responsible if, in the event of a claim, your insurance is inadequate.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue It is a condition of booking you are insured for mountain rescue, medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. The exception to the mountain rescue insurance requirement is if the trip is taking place in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Ensure your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude can be checked in the 'At A Glance' box on the trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance Insurance should be booked as soon as we confirm your trip is going ahead. Deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the minimum numbers required. In this case we offer a full refund or the option to transfer to another trip.
Baggage Loss/Equipment Damage We advise insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage.
All the above is detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further information on insurance options click here.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
- Rucksack – 25 - 30 litres, with waist and chest strap
- Rucksack – waterproof liner/cover
- Walking Boots - warm and waterproof
- Walking Poles - advised
- Bags to waterproof items, such as documentation
- Gaiters - useful on moorland
Clothing
- Waterproof jacket - essential, this must keep you dry during a day of heavy rain or at least as dry as any waterproof jacket ever keeps you!
- Waterproof trousers - essential
- Trousers - windproof and warm
- Thermal top - long sleeves
- Thin fleece - long sleeves
- Hiking T-shirts
- Hiking Shorts
- Waistcoat - fleece/wind stopper
- Gloves x 2 (one thick and one thin)
- Warm hat
- Sun hat
- Head/ear band
- Duvet jacket (or second warm layer)
- Scarf or 'Buff' for neck
- Socks - 2 or 3 pairs
Comfort
- Lip salve
- Sunscreen - essential
- Sunglasses
- Snack bars/chocolate
- Tissues - we recommend biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish
- Anti-bacterial hand wash
- Insect repellant for the famous 'midges'
- Midge net - refer to the 'Weather' section on this page for more information
Personal First Aid
- Personal medication
- Blister plasters
- Blister tape eg 'Strappal'
- Painkillers/anti-inflammatory
- Glucose tablets/Energy gel
- 2 x Rehydration sachets - eg Dioralyte
- Throat lozenges
- Antiseptic cream/spray
Documentation
- Travel Insurance
- Passport
- Credit card
- Cash - £ Sterling
Additional Items
- Slippers for use at accommodation
- Clothing for use at accommodation
- Hair dryer if required
- Boot dryers - lightweight electric boot dryers are useful
- Camera/ Book/Music
- Toiletries – soap/shower gel; not all accommodation supplies these
- Ear plugs - if room sharing
- Small thermos for hot drinks
- Head torch - plus spare batteries
- Padlock - for luggage being transferred
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
On many trips there will be an element of 'group kit'. This kit will will be minimal and usually a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example, on a week-long trip you may carry a shelter for one day before passing it to the next person. If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items, such as a snow shovel, probe, spare ski pole etc.
For each trip a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm your trip will go-ahead. Minimum and maximum numbers are displayed in 'At a Glance' on the righthand of the trip page. If you book travel before we have emailed to confirm the trip is guaranteed we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The single supplement for this trip is £420 in 2027.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation. Your guide has our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. Your hiking guide will be a qualified International Mountain Leader. IML's are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, culture and traditions. You can learn more about our guides on the About Us page.
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
The statistics given on your itinerary relating to ascent, descent and distance should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required. This is a guideline to help you decide if, based on previous experience, your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip. We ask you to note that the even the most modern of technology can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance.
The weather in the UK hills can vary considerably. In the spring and summer months it is generally good, but can deliver everything from sunshine, to rain, fog and high winds. Temperatures can reach over 20°Celsius (68°F) in the summer, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on higher terrain. As with all mountain adventures you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures ranges from 10-15°Celsius (50-59°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) in the mountains and on the fells.
Food On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes. If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us. We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water If the accommodation has a problem with the water supply they will post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water, otherwise it is normal to drink from the tap. Hotels - It is not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water at the evening meal. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost. Mountain Huts - If your trip features a stay in a mountain hut/refuge and the tap water is not potable then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost of bottled water at the evening meal. Sparkling water is not included in this option and any cost should be covered by you.
Plastic credit or debit cards or smartphone pay systems are increasingly accepted throughout the areas where we run trips. Some countries, such as Norway, are moving towards a cashless society. However, in Europe, in the mountain areas where we run trips, a small amount of cash in the local currency is useful. For example, if you stop at a family-run mountain cafe or farm they may not accept cards or smartphone systems, and cash will be necessary. We recommend having enough cash in the local currency to pay for a few snacks and drinks. Whether to bring cash or not is at your own discretion.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in your luggage. If your trip does not include luggage support carry a paper copy with you, but separate from your passport. You should check passport requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
NEW European Travel Regulations 2026 If you are travelling to Europe you may be impacted by a change to travel regulations. In the last quarter of 2026, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorisation system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. It is your responsibility to check for updates with regard to the introduction date.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
If your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut a slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be useful for recharging phones etc. This type of accommodation will generally have electricity, but it may be limited in supply, and it is not always possible to charge items.
If you would like help preparing for your adventure you could consider booking a Quick Fix session with personal trainer Kate Brown. This is aimed at those who want to get ready for any of our Summer activities. Your booking with Kate will involve a 45 minute 1:1 video consultation and action plan. You can read more about her ethos and experience here. We also offer free training videos on our YouTube channel - the following are aimed at those who hike in summer, and continue to do so in winter on snowshoes:
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. If you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor. We advise you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
GHIC For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The GHIC gives access to state healthcare in Europe either free or at a reduced cost. The GHIC is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
EHIC If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you should apply for a GHIC.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We operate a zero tolerance for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all items from the mountain, this includes toilet tissue, and those items you consider to be bio-degradable.
The waste water in mountain huts, also known as refuges/rifugios, often runs into nearby streams and rivers with a potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend you consider nature friendly sunscreens which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means the price of our trips can change overnight. We have undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained.
On this trip there may be the possibility to swim in rivers or the sea. We ask that you consider the impact which sunscreen products have on the environment and remove any excess sunscreen before going into the water. You could consider nature friendly sunscreen which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide. Any swimming is undertaken at your own risk. We carry no responsibility for any decision by you to enter the water.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. Most people have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply. Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic/sandwich from your accommodation, or your guide/instructor will advise you of options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
