Lake District North

This four day walk through North-East Lakeland from Keswick on Derwentwater to Pooley Bridge on Ullswater, will inspire you with some of the best scenery the UK has to offer. The itinerary is designed to get you to some great viewpoints and provide walks which are full of interest with the option each day to do something a little more challenging if you wish. We arrange comfortable accommodation in en-suite rooms at hotels and accredited guest houses on your route and we transfer your luggage so your bags are waiting for you when you arrive.

Prices are per person based on twin share and include all accommodation in twin share rooms on bed & breakfast basis, luggage transfer, information pack including maps, route guide, and our emergency contact.

Single rooms are available. We only apply a supplement for single accommodation when there is a direct cost to us and we cap this in line with our ‘Fair pricing’ policy. Solo walkers pay a supplement of £15 per walking day, plus any single room supplement which may be required.

Itinerary

Arriving in Keswick you check into your comfortable accommodation and can explore this interesting town, the capital of the North Lakes. There is a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs to choose from for your evening meal. If you arrive with time to spare, a visit to the lake or to the ancient stone circle at Castlerigg are well worth it.

Day 1: Keswick to Rosthwaite

Option A (moderate)
Today's walk follows the quiet western shore of Derwentwater through the mixed woodland of Brandlehow Park to the pretty hamlet of Grange in Borrowdale. You will make an ascent of Castle Crag (985ft.) for superb views over Wainwright's "best square mile" in Lakeland and then descend to your accommodation in the village of Rosthwaite.
8 miles. 1150ft ascent / 1130ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
The day's hike begins with an ascent of Catbells (1891ft.) for stunning views over Derwentwater. You then continue along the ridge which rises first to Maiden Moor (1887ft.) and then to the summit of High Spy (2143ft.) where you have an extensive view of the fells of the Northern Western and Eastern Lakes. Finally an interesting descent through the old quarry workings of Rigghead brings you to Rosthwaite.
8½ miles. 2550ft ascent / 2530ft descent.

Day 2: Rosthwaite to Grasmere

Option A (moderate)
Following the route of the Coast to Coast you leave the confines of Borrowdale along the Stonethwaite beck towards the impressive Eagle crag. Crossing the watershed of Greenup Edge you then descend alongside Far Easedale Gill to the quintessential Lake District village of Grasmere.
7½ miles. 1985ft ascent / 2060ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
As for option A as far as Greenup Edge where you turn south to make an ascent of High Raise (2500ft). Returning to Greenup Edge, you cross to the head of Far Easedale before following a splendid ridge line over Calf Crag and Gibson Knott to reach Helm Crag above Grasmere. A final steep descent brings you to the door of your accommodation in the village.
9½ miles. 3025ft ascent / 3105ft descent.

Day 3: Grasmere to Patterdale / Glenridding

Option A (moderate)
Today you cross the impressive Eastern Fells taking advantage of a rare breach in the ridgeline between the lofty summits of Helvellyn and Fairfield. This Lakeland pass known as Grisedale Hause with its pretty mountain tarn, was once an important trade route between the villages of Grasmere and those of the Ullswater Valley. Crossing the pass you descend the beautiful valley of Grisedale to reach your overnight halt at Patterdale or Glenridding.
7½ miles. 2125ft ascent / 1835ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
A sensational mountain day beginning with the ascent to Grisedale Hause from where you gain the main ridge-line of the eastern fells. A steep climb to the summit of Dollywagon Pike (2810ft) and a traverse of Nethermost Pike (2920ft) leads to Helvellyn (3118ft), England's third highest mountain. The climax to this great day is a descent of the stupendous Striding Edge, which requires some basic scrambling.
9½ miles. 3555 ft ascent / 3265 ft descent.

Day 4: Patterdale / Glenridding to Pooley Bridge

Option A (moderate)
A beautiful end to your North Lakes journey with a walk along the length of Ullswater known as the 'queen of the Lakes'. walking along the quiet Eastern shoreline of the Lake the walk first follows a high trail to Howtown then a quiet lane all the way into Pooley ridge. Sensational views are guaranteed.
9 miles. 1120ft ascent / 1120ft descent.

Option B (demanding)
A fitting climax to this North Lakes trek is this traverse of the High Street range, so named because the Roman road built around along this high ridge to link the fort of Ambleside with those on Hadrian's Wall. From Patterdale the trail first heads south east as it climbs up to High Raise (2634ft) then runs north along the ridge parallel to Ullswater, finally descending to Pooley Bridge. This is a tough day but rewarded with outstanding scenery and glorious ridge walking!
12 miles. 2990ft ascent / 2990ft descent.

Depart Pooley Bridge

Let us know if you require a transfer to Penrith station and we will arrange this for you (at extra cost).

What's Included

The price includes:

  • All accommodation in twin/double rooms (with private bathroom where available) in guest houses, inns or hotels
  • All breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer between overnight stops
  • A Wandering Aengus information pack containing all necessary maps, a current guide book or our own weather-proof route cards, laminated locator maps for each night's accommodation, and our own weather-proof 'info cards' with local information - including locations and opening times of restaurants, cafes, ATMs, supermarkets etc.
  • Our emergency contact number

Not included:

  • Lunches and evening meals (we provide full details of your options)
  • Extra costs incurred through using escape routes or abandonment of the itinerary
  • Miscellaneous personal expenses such as drinks etc.

Accommodation & Meals

Our Accommodation:

As keen walkers ourselves we appreciate the importance of the place you put your feet up and rest your head in at the end of each day. We very carefully select our accommodations whether they be a cosy pub, family run guest house, or established town centre hotel. We choose places directly on the route or within easy walking distance of it and if we ever have to transfer you because of limited availability, we will always contact you to discuss this and never just leave you to find out later. We provide comfortable, clean and warm twin or double rooms, with private bathroom wherever available. Single occupancy of rooms is also available for a supplementary cost.

Meals:

Breakfast at your accommodation is included in the holiday price. In most cases your accommodation will serve dinner and will be able to prepare a packed lunch for you. Sometimes this will have to be arranged in advance and we will let you know if this is the case. Alternatively you can use our detailed notes to make your own dining and lunch arrangements using local restaurants, cafes and supermarkets.

Getting to the Start

The nearest railway station is at Penrith on the main North-West rail link between London and Glasgow. From Penrith there are taxis and a regular bus service to Keswick - a journey of 16 miles.

At the end of the walk you can take a bus or a taxi from Pooley Bridge to Penrith - a journey of 4 miles. Alternatively, if you are arriving by car we can arrange parking in Keswick and transfers back from Pooley Bridge (at extra cost).

Planning your trip

Here are some 3rd party websites with useful information to help plan your holiday to the Lake District.

The Lake District National Park website is a mine of information and here you can also download a range of maps and leaflets to local attractions.

'Go Lakes' is the official website for Cumbria Tourism and provides up-to-the-minute information on events as well as insight guides to the different areas that make up the Lake District.

The Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) provides weather analysis and forecasts specifically aimed at mountaineers and walkers. Download 3 day forecasts for specific regions including the Lake District.

Cumbria County Council conveniently gathers all Lake District bus timetables onto a single searchable page

Mike Brockhurst's Walking Englishman website is a free walking resource which provides information on numerous walking routes. Here you can find a list of Englands's highest peaks.

Use thetrainline.com to find cheap fares to the Lake District rail access towns of Windermere and Penrith.

Book this Holiday

Lake District North map
On each day there are two options - a relatively moderate walk and a more demanding alternative. They both reach the same place at the end of the day so you can mix and match as you go along depending how you feel when you set off each morning.