“A 6 day discovery of the beautiful Lakeland valleys and high passes”(74 miles, 6 days)Derwentwater at KeswickThe writings of Wainwright and our own natural desire to climb to the summits of the Lakeland fells has meant the exploring the valleys is often neglected. Some of the best walking is lakeside and in particular the old drover routes that linked the valleys on often high mountain passes. Cumbria Way The ‘Lakeland Valleys’ walk takes in all the main Lakeland valleys including the less populated ones in the western Lakes. A much greater understanding and appreciation of the Lake District is found by walking the valleys, the views are often so much better and of course the weather is more benign. Each day brings new scenery, new valleys and a walk ending that is somewhere different. A to B walks can be so much more satisfying.Grisedale TarnHowever there is also an excellent opportunity to climb some of the mountains, particularly if the weather is good. A final short scramble up Haystacks from Scarth Gap requires little effort but is a wonderful spot whilst any climb of Helvellyn is very satisfying. Flexibility is the key.The Best ItineraryDay 1. Ambleside to Coniston 10 milesHighlights: Loughrigg Tarn, Elterwater & Little LangdaleOptional Fells nearby: Loughrigg Fell, WetherlamDay 2. Coniston to Eskdale 13 milesHighlights: Eskdale, the Duddon Valley and Walna Scar through the Coniston fellsOptional Fells nearby: Coniston Old Man, Dow Crag, Harter FellDay 3. Eskdale to Buttermere 13 milesHighlights: Pass the Lakeland giants of the Scafells, Gable & Pillar through 3 remote valleys; Wasdale, Ennerdale & ButtermereOptional Fells nearby: Pillar & Haystacks are the two obvious choices, anything else is going to be extremely hard work on a big day.Eastern shore at EnnerdaleDay 4. Buttermere to Keswick 14 milesHighlights: Honister mines, Upper Borrowdale, quiet side of DerwentwaterOptional Fells nearby: Fleetwith Pike, High Spy/Maiden Moor/CatbellsDay 5. Keswick to Glenridding 12 milesHighlights: St John’s in the Vale, Ullswater & views over the Eastern fellsOptional Fells nearby: Helvellyn, Sheffield PikeDay 6. Glenridding to Ambleside 12 milesHighlights: Grisedale Tarn, Grasmere & Rydal WaterOptional Fells nearby: Fairfield, St Sunday’s CragMapsThe walk is best clockwise with two different start options: Ambleside or Keswick.O/S Maps required: 1.25,000 Explorer Series. OL4, OL5, OL6 AND OL7Places to StayWindermereChestnuts Guest House is a fine place to stat or finish yopur long distance walkAmblesideThe Old Vicarage is typical of many good B & Bs but an alternative may be the excellent Ambleside Backpackers which does serve breakfast on requestConistonThe Crown Inn is in the centre of Coniston and a haven for walkersButtermereBridge Inn & Fish Inn are obvious choices but for a cheaper rate try the Youth HostelKeswickThere are many Guest Houses central to Keswick but for more luxury the Swinside Hotel is a few miles short of Keswick but still enroute.Wasdale Head HotelUseful LinksComing soon…Personal JourneyComing soon…Day-by-dayDay 1. Coming soon…
