self-guided walking holiday in the Lake District - 4 nights
Crystal clear rivers, a sparkling lake, ancient woodland, hidden valleys, perfect villages and towering mountains all combine to make this a route to remember!
Your trip starts with a night in popular Keswick before heading out onto peaceful lakeshore paths and meandering through the idyllic Watendlath valley (with an optional detour for big views from the summit of Walla Crag), on your way to spend two nights in the breathtaking Borrowdale Valley. From here, enjoy a low level circuit of the head of Borrowdale, with its historic woodland, stunning riverside paths and pretty hamlets, or head for the hills with a steep ascent of Green Gable, for vast views amongst some of the Lake District’s highest peaks.
For your return walk to Keswick, take the wonderfully varied low level route, starting along the river and visiting ‘Millican Dalton’s Caves’ and the lovely village of Grange, before enjoying a wooded lakeshore stroll along Derwentwater’s western side. Alternatively, take on more of a challenge with a steep ascent up Tongue Gill allowing for a stunning ridge walk that takes in three ‘Wainwright’ summits - High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells - before joining the lakeside path to return to Keswick for your final night.
Summary
Number of nights: 4 nights as standard. Variations between 3 and 6 nights available.
Price: From £515 per person for four nights (based on two people sharing a double or twin room). Three to six night versions also available.
Amount of walking: Three walking days made up of:
Linear route from Keswick to Rosthwaite, with a lower level option of 7.5 miles (12km) and 370m ascent, or a higher level route of 8.5 miles (13.5km) and 610m ascent, which includes the summits of Walla Crag and Jopplety How.
Circular route from Rosthwaite, with a low level option of 8.5 miles (14km) and 175m ascent or higher level option of 9.5 miles (13km) and 870m ascent to the summit of Green Gable (or add on Great Gable for even more of a challenge!).
Linear route from Rosthwaite back to Keswick, with a lower level option of 8 miles (13km) and 230m ascent (with the option to add in the short ascent of Castle Crag) or a higher level option of 9 miles (15.5km) and 770m ascent, taking in the summits of High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells.
Difficulty level: Various walking options available ranging from 4/10 to 8/10!
Terrain: A mixture of fields, tracks, lanes and open fellside. All routes are on paths but can be rocky and uneven. If you go for the higher level routes, some sections will be steep (both up and down hill) and require more care underfoot. Some straight-forward scrambling is required on one of the optional higher level routes.
Accommodation: Spend your first night in a cosy inn with lovely rooms, in the centre of popular Keswick, before enjoying two nights in an historic inn turned boutique hotel, in the heart of stunning Borrowdale countryside. Charming rooms, high quality food and lots of nooks and crannies come together to make a lovely place to recharge after a day’s walking. Your final night is back in the cosy Keswick inn! For full details of the accommodation included on each of our routes see our accommodation page.
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Itinerary - 4 night example
Day 1 - Arrive at your base in Keswick, with its fantastic setting on the northern tip of Derwentwater. Enjoy one of the many short walks directly from town, get out on the water in a rowing boat, motorboat, kayak or paddleboard, or relax by sampling some of the many shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Day 2 - You have two options for your linear walk from Keswick to Rosthwaite in the Borrowdale Valley:
Low Level - Leave Keswick along the shores of Derwentwater, with great views across the lake to the Cat Bells ridge early on. After passing several pretty bays, leave the lakeshore to gain height up the gently sloping fell side, with big views over the lake and surrounding mountains, to reach picture perfect Ashness Bridge. Admire ‘Surprise View’ before heading along the idyllic and peaceful Watendlath valley to reach the tarn. A final short climb over Grange Fell provides stunning views to some of Lakeland’s highest mountains as you drop down into Rosthwaite - your base for the next two nights.
High Level - Head uphill out of Keswick to quickly join the ridge above Great Wood, taking you to the summit of Walla Crag, for stunning views over Derwentwater, down Borrowdale and to the Skiddaw range. Drop down from the fell tops to join the lower level route at pretty Ashness Bridge, taking in ‘Surprise View’ and enjoying the wonderful stroll up the Watendlath Valley. From Watendlath Tarn, head back uphill to bag the rocky summit of ‘Jopplety How’ before dropping down into Rosthwaite, with views to the head of the valley and its huge surrounding mountains all the way.
Day 3 - You have two options of circular walks to do from Rosthwaite:
Low Level - Enjoy a gorgeous circuit of the very head of Borrowdale, accompanied by the crystal clear waters that have poured off the surrounding hillsides. Start through pretty woodland along the infant River Derwent then head up the valley to the tiny hamlet of Seathwaite, with the chance to see the Borrowdale Yews - some of England’s oldest trees - on the way. Return along the far side of the valley, below the steep sides of Thornythwaite Fell. Stroll through pretty Stonethwaite (with the option for a pub stop!) and follow Stonethwaite Beck, passing charming waterfalls as you go, towards the prominent outcrop of Eagle Crag. Return along the far side of the beck, following the lovely Cumbria Way path back to Rosthwaite.
High Level - Start with a stroll through lovely ‘Johnny Wood’ then a gentle stretch along the valley floor to Seathwaite, tracking the sparkling River Derwent. Here, the steep ascent begins up beautiful Sourmilk Gill, with its pretty cascades giving ample excuse to stop for a breather. Enjoy a flatter section through the steep-sided hanging valley before another sharp pull to the summit of Green Gable, for fantastic views over the surrounding mountains. Here there is the option to add on the steep, rocky ascent of Great Gable if you’re keen to extend the day. The return leg has great views all the way as you descend over the summits of Brandreth and Grey Knotts to drop down to the Honistor Slate mine. There is the option for a stop at the cafe here before the final leg takes you along the Coast-to-Coast route down Hardknott Pass and back through Johnny Wood to Rosthwaite.
Day 4 - You have two options for your linear walk from Rosthwaite back to Keswick, both taking you along the western side of the valley:
Low level - A wonderful and varied low level linear route, taking you through what Alfred Wainwright described as ‘England’s loveliest square mile’. You again join the beautiful water of the River Derwent, this time following its flow towards Derwentwater. Pass through meadows and, as you head into woodland, decide whether to stick low down and visit Millican Dalton’s Cave (where the self-styled ‘professor of adventure’ lived during the summer for several decades!) or take a short detour to the summit of Castle Crag - the smallest mountain classified as a ‘Wainwright’ but still offering fantastic, wide-ranging views. Either way, you soon rejoin the river and follow it to the village of Grange before crossing meadows and wetland to reach the shore of Derwentwater. Now enjoy an easy stretch along the wooded shoreline and consider a visit to Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden before arriving in the village of Portinscale. From here, it is a sort walk back into Keswick across fields with good views back down into the valley you have just left.
High Level - From Rosthwaite, you briefly join the River Derwent heading towards Derwentwater but quickly leave it to climb steeply up Tongue Gill, with its old climbers hut and mining remains, to join the eastern ridge of the Newlands Valley. You will follow the ridge over the summits of High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells, with stunning views throughout. Drop down off Cat Bells to join a gentle stretch of the Cumbria Way footpath through woodland and meadows, passing the popular Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden (a good spot for a well-earned break!) and reaching the village of Portinscale. From here, it is a sort walk back into Keswick across fields with good views back over the mountains you walked over earlier in the day.
Day 5 - Enjoy a last, well-earned breakfast before heading home!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Four nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis;
Luggage transfers;
Detailed walking notes;
A route-marked OS map;
The ‘Muddy Boots Survival Pack’ including our guide to places to visit and eat and drink on your route; and
Muddy Boots’ trademark personal service - we’re always available to answer all your questions and make sure the trip is perfect for you!
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Additional nights in Rosthwaite for more stunning walks in one of the Lake District’s most beautiful areas!
Additional nights in Keswick for the chance to get out on the lake - motor boats, rowing boats, paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing all available!
Packed lunches (which can be ordered the night before at your accommodation).
A personal guide for some or all of your trip.