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Map of Hiking in the Lake District including United Kingdom

Explore the Lake District and conquer England’s highest peak

The Lake District is the perfect destination for a walking holiday with scenic trails, captivating fells, and spectacular scenery. Base yourself in Keswick, a charming market town surrounded by mountains and serene waterways, where you will be perfectly placed to take in the best of the Lake District and only have to unpack once. Along with conquering the highest peak in England, you’ll hike through an ever changing landscape, and discover Lake District walking expert Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fell, Cat Bells. Add a charming English town and atmospheric pubs to enjoy at the end of each day and this walking trip has it all.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Keswick, United Kingdom
Finish
Keswick, United Kingdom
Destination
United Kingdom
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
BWXK
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, Keswick is a charming and vibrant market town that makes for the perfect base for your entire trip.

  • Safety always comes first – let your experienced and qualified leader show you the way as you experience the spectacular scenery of the Lake District.

  • Tackle the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, which is also a home to Broad Crag Tarn, the highest standing water in England.

  • Enjoy a selection of walks up and around the most beautiful fells, including the favourite one of Alfred Wainwright – Cat Bells.

  • This trip is as green as it gets. We only use public transport and our accommodation can be reached from major cities in the UK by train.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip. Please carefully read descriptions of all the walks as you will need a good level of fitness to fully enjoy all the included hikes.

  • You are going to spend five fantastic days in the mountains. Mountain weather can change quickly, so you need to be prepared and ready for rain, wind, and sun. Please make sure you have good walking boots, rain gear, warm clothing, and sun protection for this trip.

  • On day 4 we will climb Scafell Pike 4, the highest peak in England – this is going to be a long and challenging day.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

A female hiker walking down path in the Lake District, England, UK
Grasmere village, the Lake District, Cumbria, England, UK
Aerial panoramic landscape view of Cat Bells fell and Derwent Water, Lake District, England
Sheep on the mountainside in England's Lake Disctrict
Female hiker enjoying the view, Lake District, England, UK
Row of rowing boats at Keswick Boat Launch in the English Lake District, UK
Wasdale Head and Wast Water in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England

Itinerary
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Welcome to Keswick! This bustling market town enjoys a dress circle location on the shores of Derwentwater, surrounded by spectacular scenery. Its mountains and lakes are so incredible that Keswick is home to the UK’s premier mountain festival. After you’ve settled into your cosy accommodation – there’s no packing and unpacking to worry about on this centre-based trip - meet your leader in the early afternoon and kick off your Lake District hiking adventure with an easy round-trip hike. Latrigg Hill offers incredible views of Keswick town, Derwentwater and the surrounding fells, an Old Norse term that refers to mountains located above the endpoint of the alpine trees.
Included Activities
  • Keswick - Latrigg Hill Circular Guided Hike
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting this afternoon as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or Intrepid know.

Today’s walk is approximately 10 kilometres (6 miles) with an elevation gain of 390 metres (985 feet).  

After a short transfer to the trailhead at the foot of the Derwent Fells, join your leader on the trail which climbs to Dalehead Tarn before a final ascent takes you to the summit of the aptly named High Spy which sits at 653 metres above sea level. Take time to admire the sweeping views, then follow the broad ridge north to Cat Bells, a favourite peak of British author and keen walker Alfred Wainwright. His seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells is still considered a definitive guide to the Lake District more than 65 years after it was written. From here, the group will follow the Cumbria Way back to Keswick where you may like to join your fellow walkers for a meal at one of the local restaurants or a cosy pub.
Included Activities
  • Keswick - Cat Bells Guided Hike
  • Keswick - High Spy Summit Hike
  • Keswick - Cumbria Way Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s walk is approximately 15 kilometres (9 miles) with an elevation gain of 630 metres (2066 feet).

Today we will hike one of the most dramatic stages of the famous Coast to Coast Trail, a long-distance footpath originally devised by Wainwright. It’s one of England’s most famous walks and one you don’t want to miss. Take in the stunning views on a scenic boat trip from Keswick across Derwentwater to the start of the trailhead. From here, we will walk through gorgeous Borrowdale to Rosthwaite, where we begin an ascent to Greenup Edge before descending through craggy Easdale Gill all the way to the charming village of Grasmere. Enjoy free time here as you choose to perhaps visit the home of William Wordsworth, or stock up on snacks at the famous gingerbread shop before we catch a local bus back to Keswick.
Included Activities
  • Keswick - English Coast to Coast Guided Hike (Derwent Water to Grasmere Section)
  • Keswick - Boat Taxi on Derwentwater
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s walk is approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles) with an elevation gain of 750 metres (2460 feet).

Today is the pinnacle of your Lake District walking trip, the ascent of Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England. This classic walk is famous for being part of the three peaks challenge and you will complete it with two guides who will share their expertise and give you the support and encouragement you need to finish your walking holiday on a natural high. If the weather is clear, you’ll be able to see mountain peaks as far away as Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man when you reach the top and enjoy tremendous views across the Lake District National Park. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing evening at your comfortable accommodation in Keswick.
Included Activities
  • Keswick - Scafell Pike Guided Ascent via Corridor Route
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s walk is approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles) with an elevation gain of 970 metres (3182 feet).

It’s an easy walking day today with a short morning hike to either Castlehead Viewpoint, or perhaps along the lake shoreline to the Centenary Stone. Looking across the still water here provides the opportunity to reflect on a wonderful few days hiking in the Lake District. After you’ve had time to enjoy the scenery, your walking adventure comes to an end. If you would like to spend more time in the Lake District, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Included Activities
  • Keswick - Centenary Stone Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles) with an elevation gain of 100 metres (320 feet).
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

4 breakfasts

Transport

walking, Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Bed & Breakfast (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Keswick - Latrigg Hill Circular Guided Hike
  • Keswick - Cat Bells Guided Hike
  • Keswick - High Spy Summit Hike
  • Keswick - Cumbria Way Hike
  • Keswick - English Coast to Coast Guided Hike (Derwent Water to Grasmere Section)
  • Keswick - Boat Taxi on Derwentwater
  • Keswick - Scafell Pike Guided Ascent via Corridor Route
  • Keswick - Centenary Stone Hike

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking in the Lake District trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 2pm on Day 1 in Keswick and finishes on Day 5 after a short hike planned in the morning.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Keswick is easily accessed from Penrith, with regular public buses and a journey time of just 40 minutes. Penrith is on the west coast mainline, so has frequent train departures to all points of the UK, including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
4. Pre and post tour additional accommodation, arrival and departure transfers are available to book upon request, subject to availability. Please contact your Travel Consultant for more details.

Essential trip information

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