Lakeland Round – 8 nights / 7 days walking

About this trail

Leaving Broughton you initially walk through farmland, before crossing low hills and descending to follow the lakeside path next to Coniston Water. From there you ascend again, passing the prettily situated Tarn Hows lake before entering Langdale valley to Elterwater and then climbing again up and over to Grasmere. Day three sees you follow a section of the Coast to Coast walk, up to Greenup Edge and then down into Borrowdale.

From Rosthwaite in Borrowdale you have two route options: one that leads high up onto the Derwent Fells and the peaks of High Spy, Maiden Moor and Catbells –  all affording great views –  or in the event of bad weather, a low level route following the Cumbria Way to Derwent Water. From Braithwaite you head up the Coledale valley, over the pass and into Gasgale Gill where you need to cross areas of scree and do some scrambling over rocks. Your efforts are soon rewarded with great views of Crummock Water, Loweswater and Buttermere.

The sixth walking day from Buttermere to Boot is perhaps the toughest, with three substantial climbs as you cross Scarth Gap pass followed quickly by Black Sail pass and then over Eskdale Moor. The final day is spent in the remoter hills of the Lake District. Leaving Eskdale you cross over the ridge to the Duddon Valley then an old track leads you over the final climb before views open up to the sea to the south and the route returns you to Broughton in Furness.

Terrain and navigation

This walk includes some steep ascents and in a few places crosses very uneven, rocky or boggy ground. In some places the route can be indistinct because it runs through less frequented parts of the Lake District. We recommend that it is undertaken by fit and experienced walkers who are able to map read and navigate well, especially in the event that the weather turns bad and visibility is severely reduced. Discovery Travel provides clearly marked 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps of the route to assist with navigation.

Highest point: 635 metres
Total ascent / descent: 4530 metres / 4530 metres

Route elevation

Included as standard in the price

The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:

• Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
• Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
• All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
• Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
• The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
• Information about any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg hot tub or licensed bar)
• Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
• Telephone support if required
• Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the trail.

*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which case private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.

**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.

Packed lunches and evening meals

The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.

Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel

Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.

We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:

• Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
• Airport transfers
• Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk

If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.

Make more of your break

If you would like to pause during your walk and explore one of the overnight locations for longer, you are free to select and add extra days to your holiday at any of your overnight stops. Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.

Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.

Coniston

Take a boat trip on Coniston Water onboard the oldest steam yacht in the North of England. 

Grasmere

Once the home of poet William Wordsworth, Grasmere is a charming village with its own lake where you can hire a rowing boat. Around Easter and from the end of July to the beginning of September, Grasmere Village Hall is home to the Lake Artists Society Summer Exhibition, with some 300 exhibits by local artists and sculptors.

Boot

Fancy scaling England’s highest peak? Stay an extra night in Boot and use it as your base to spend a day scaling the 978 metres of Scafell Pike.

When to go

The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable.

Getting to and from the trail

By Air: The most convenient airports are Manchester or Leeds-Bradford.

By Rail: The nearest train station is at Foxfield which is about 1.5 miles from Broughton in Furness. A taxi can take you the rest of the way. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.