self-guided walking holiday in the Lake District - 4 nights

Explore Ullswater on a stunning circuit of what many argue is the Lake District’s most beautiful lake. Watch the landscape change from gentle rolling hills to craggy, imposing summits on a beautiful linear route along the northern side of Ullswater, admiring dramatic Aira Force and with the option to head to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell on your way.

Two nights in Glenridding gives you time to take in the dramatic scenery that surrounds the lakeside village. Options include a low-level exploration of the atmospheric Grisedale Valley or heading for the hills to take in the summits of Angletarn Pikes and Beda Fell, as well as beautifully situated Angle Tarn. Your second linear route along the southern side of the lake takes you back to Pooley Bridge and is a real chance to take in the beauty of Ullswater itself, with stunning lake views, gorgeous patches of woodland and the tiny village of Howtown to enjoy.

The two linear routes on this trip make up what is known as the ‘Ullswater Way’ and we will include the Ullswater Way guide and the Ullswater Way pin badge as a lovely momento of your trip!

Summary

Number of nights: 4 nights (additional nights may be added)

Price: From £480 per person (based on two people sharing a double or twin room)

Amount of walking: Linear route from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding of 15.5km/9.5 miles (470m ascent). Options to shorten or extend the route available.

Various circular walk options from Glenridding, including the circuit of the Grisedale Valley of 12.5km/7.5 miles (340m ascent) and the ascent of Beda Fell and Angletarn Pikes of 13km/8 miles (735m ascent). Longer, more challening options can also be provided.

Linear route from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge of 17km/10.5 miles (450m ascent). Options to shorten or extend the route available.

Difficulty level: Various walking options available ranging from 5/10 to 9/10!

Terrain: A real mix throughout the holiday – some level and well-made tracks through meadows and along riverside; short sections of minor road walking; rougher mountain and woodland paths; less well defined paths and steep rocky ground if you take the higher level options.

Accommodation: Stay in two welcoming country inns, a couple of minutes walk from Ullswater, one in the heart of Pooley Bridge and the other in the heart of Glenridding. Each offer comfortable rooms, a friendly atmosphere and good food to sustain you on your walks! For full details of the accommodation included on each of our routes see our accommodation page.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive at your base in Pooley Bridge, right on the northern tip of Ullswater. If time allows, spend some time exploring the village, taking a boat trip on the lake or hiring a motor boat or paddleboard. Alternatively, do a gentle 5 mile circuit through the pastoral landscape north of Ullswater, visiting the house of Dalemain and the historic village of Dacre.

Day 2 - Enjoy the changing scenery on this linear walk along the full length of the northern side of Ullswater - the first half of the ‘Ullswater Way’ - from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding. The day starts amongst the rolling scenery north of Ullswater before reaching Gowbarrow Park, where you have the option to either bag the summit of ‘Airy Crag’ or take the ‘Terrace Path’ for a stunning view down to the head of Ullswater from the memorial seat. Drop down into the gorge of Aira Beck with its impressive waterfalls before enjoying a gentle lakeside stroll for the last few miles into Glenridding. There is the option to shorten this day’s walking to 11.5km/7 miles by taking either the bus or boat from Aira Force to Glenridding.

Day 3 - You have two options of circular walks to do from your door in Glenridding:

Low Level - Start the day with a visit to pretty Lanty’s Tarn before dropping into the steep-sided glacial valley of Grisedale. The scenery becomes more and more dramatic as you head up the valley, with the imposing summits of St Sunday Crag, Dollywagon Pike and Nethermost Pike dominating the view, giving a real ‘in the mountains’ feel, without having to gain a lot of height! The return leg tracks the other side of the valley along an easy-going path with views back to Place Fell and some lovely sections through woodland and along the banks of Grisedale Beck. End the day through Glenamara Park, with views over Ullswater, to drop into the village of Patterdale before returning via the lake shore to Glenridding. There is also a much more strenuous option that begins by heading up Grisedale but continues on to Grisedale Tarn and the summit of St Sunday Crag before dropping into Patterdale.

High Level - Begin your day with a relaxing trip on an Ullswater Steamer across the lake to the little hamlet of Howtown on the far side of Ullswater. Your linear route back to Glenridding heads into the hills, initally along the ridge of peaceful Beda Fell, with views into little frequented Martindale and Boredale (with the chance of spotting red deer). You then drop down to the perfectly situated Angle Tarn and climb briefly again to the popular summit of Angletarn Pikes from where there are stunning 360 degree views, particularly impressive to the west over Fairfield, Helvellyn, St Sunday Crag, Nethermost Pike and many other summits! The route drops steeply to the pass at Boredale Hause and on down to Patterdale before heading along the shore of Ullswater back to Glenridding.

Day 4 - Your second linear route takes in the other half of the Ullswater Way, along the full length of the southern side of Ullswater, from Glenridding back to Pooley Bridge. Today’s walk has a real focus on Ullswater itself and making the most of its beautiful setting. Rounding the southern tip of the lake, the path sticks to the lakeshore almost all day, but that is not to say the route lacks variety - beautiful sections of woodland, rocky outcrops offering far reaching views, dramatic mountain backdrops and a charming hamlet at Howtown all make for a relaxed and idyllic day’s walking. For the last third of the walk there is the option to move away from the lake, taking the upper path to climb the slopes of Barton Fell and reach ‘the Cockpit’ stone circle, dating from neolithic times, before dropping into Pooley Bridge. There is the option to shorten this route to 10.5km/6.5 miles by taking the boat to Pooley Bridge when you arrive in Howtown.

Day 5 - Enjoy a last, well-earned breakfast before heading home.

NB: Additional nights can be added to this trip to include a circular walk from Pooley Bridge or to have more time exploring the stunning scenery around Glenridding.

Looking for more of a challenge?

If you want a big day out in the hills and to take on a Lake District classic, Glenridding is also the starting point for the famous ascent of Hellvellyn via Striding Edge. If you would prefer to do that on your full day in Glenridding, just let us know. Do bear in mind that this is a challenging walk and Hellvellyn’s ridges are not for the fainthearted. You will need a good level of fitness, a head for heights and the route should not be attempted in poor weather or low visibility.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Four nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis;
Luggage transfer;
Detailed walking notes;
A route-marked OS map; and
The ‘Muddy Boots Survival Pack’ including our guide to places to visit and eat and drink on your route.
NB If you choose to do the higher level route from Glenridding, the ticket for the Ullswater Steamer to Howtown is not included. It can be purchased from the pier in Glenridding for £10 per person.