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Walking the Tour of the Lake District

A nine-day circuit of Cumbria's fells, valleys and lakes

By Lesley Williams

ISBN

9781786310491

Availability

Published

9 Apr 2021

Edition

Second

Pages

152

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .95cm

Weight

190g

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More information...

Guidebook to a 145km (90 mile) circular walking route from Ambleside around the Lake District National Park, visiting all the main valleys and local centres. Described in 9 stages, with 5 high-level alternatives to climb the highest mountains in this World Heritage area. Includes a prologue from Windermere. Suitable for most walkers.

Seasons

The best walking is generally between April and October, although year-round walking is possible. Winter months can be very cold, windy and wet, with limited daylight.

Centres

Windermere, Ambleside, Coniston, Eskdale, Wasdale, Buttermere, Keswick, Grasmere, Glenridding and Patterdale

Difficulty

The main route described should be within the capabilities of most reasonably fit hillwalkers. High-level alternatives are more strenuous and in winter, snow and ice on high ground may make some sections very challenging. Good navigation skills are essential.

Must See

High passes with superb views; picturesque towns and villages with ancient stone buildings; shapely mountains bisected by lakes, rivers and waterfalls; lake steamers; Castle Rigg Stone Circle; Hardknott Roman Fort; Wastwater - England's favourite view. Climb Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Coniston Old Man and Helvellyn and visit property once owned by Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth and others.

ISBN

9781786310491

Availability

Published

9 Apr 2021

Edition

Second

Pages

152

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .95cm

Weight

190g

Overview

The Lake District National Park is England's most popular mountain region and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Suitable for most reasonably fit hillwalkers, the 145km (90 mile) Tour of the Lake District takes in the best of this beautiful region in a circular tour. The route is presented in nine stages, plus an optional 'prologue' stage from Windermere station to the start-point in Ambleside, and can be compressed into one week or extended over two weeks, giving time to visit many attractions on the way.

In addition to the main (non-waymarked) route, which links the main towns and valleys of the national park, five interchangeable high-level stages are also offered, enabling you to visit some of the region's most celebrated high peaks - including Coniston Old Man, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Helvellyn - should you so wish. Each stage includes summary statistics and clear route description illustrated with OS mapping and an elevation profile. There are notes on local points of interest and a wealth of information to help you plan your tour, covering public transport, accommodation and kit, plus accommodation listings and a facilities table.

The Tour showcases the magnificent landscapes of the region, from mountain vistas to idyllic lakeshore scenery. There are lakes, rivers and waterfalls, characterful towns and villages, remote valleys, high fells and fascinating historical features including a Neolithic stone circle, packhorse bridges and properties that once belonged to Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. There are a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and opportunities to sample delicious local produce. The Tour of the Lake District is an ideal way to discover all the region has to offer and is sure to generate lots of memorable experiences.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Route summary table

Overview map

Alternative schedules

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Landscape and geology

Plants and wildlife

Farming

History and culture

The Tour of the Lake District

Planning your Tour

When to go

How to get there

Local transport

Accommodation

Equipment

Maps and apps

Navigation and safety

Using this guide

The Tour of the Lake District

Prologue Windermere to Ambleside

Stage 1 Ambleside to Coniston

Stage 2 Coniston to Eskdale

Stage 2A Coniston to Eskdale: high-level route

Stage 3 Eskdale to Wasdale

Stage 3A Eskdale to Wasdale: high-level route

Stage 4 Wasdale to Buttermere

Stage 4A Wasdale to Buttermere: high-level route

Stage 5 Buttermere to Keswick

Stage 5A Buttermere to Keswick: high-level route

Stage 6 Keswick to Rosthwaite

Stage 7 Rosthwaite to Grasmere

Stage 8 Grasmere to Patterdale

Stage 8A Grasmere to Patterdale: high-level route

Stage 9 Patterdale to Ambleside

Appendix A Useful contacts

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Facilities table

Appendix D Place names

Appendix E Further reading and resources

Maps

Maps and apps

The mapping within this guide is extracted from Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000, which is sufficient for generally following the route along with the route description. It is highly recommended that you also carry a map at a larger scale, to ensure accurate route finding and to allow for better navigation, especially in the higher fells and in poor weather. Almost the entire route is shown on the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey AA Central Lake District Walker’s Map (2); the only section not included on this map is part of the low-level route via Nether Wasdale on Stage 3. The Harvey/BMC Lake District map covers the entire area and route of the Tour at a scale of 1:40,000, so the scale is better than the Landranger 1:50,000, but not as clear as the OS AA Central Lake District map. For more comprehensive coverage of the Lake District, the OS 1:25,000 Explorer maps OL4, 5, 6 and 7 cover the north-western, north-eastern, south-western and south-eastern Lake District. Alternatively, the OS 1:50,000 Landranger maps required are sheets 96, 89 and 90. The disadvantage of these options is that you need to carry four maps, rather than just one!

There are a number of useful websites and apps which will help you get the best out of your visit and tour around the Lake District. These include mountain weather information, public transport apps, mapping and navigation apps, as well as information about accommodation, attractions and the national park in general. More details can be found in Appendices A and B.

Updates

October 2021

Shop in Patterdale

The shop in Patterdale has ceased trading and the premises are up for sale. The nearest shop facilities now are Glenridding.

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Walking the Tour of the Lake District - GPX File

Lesley Williams

Jonathan Williams was Cicerone's publisher and managing director for over 20 years, working with authors and leading the development of the range. Lesley was Cicerone's marketing director for over 20 years, but now provides support for the new marketing team. Although they met at sea, they quickly gravitated to the mountains and trekking, before taking on Cicerone to communicate their passion for mountains, wild places and other journeys on foot or by bike. Based on the edge of the Lake District, they enjoy spending days in the hills and months in the mountains, and have written or updated several Cicerone guidebooks for Switzerland. They would like to thank the whole Cicerone team for supporting their efforts as authors.

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