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Guidebook to a 145km (90 mile) circular walking route from Ambleside around the Lake District National Park, visiting all the main valleys and local centres. Described in 9 stages, with 5 high-level alternatives to climb the highest mountains in this World Heritage area. Includes a prologue from Windermere. Suitable for most walkers.
Cicerone says
A guidebook to walking the Tour of the Lake District. Covering 144km (90 miles), this long-distance circular trek starting and finishing in Ambleside takes around 9 days to hike and is suitable for any reasonably fit walker.
The route is described clockwise in 9 stages, each between 11 and 22km (6–14 miles) in length. Alternative high-level routes are also included for those who want to visit the high peaks of Coniston Old Man, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Helvellyn.
Our Verdict
For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.
We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.
If you're a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Seasons: The best walking is generally between April and October, although year-round walking is possible. Winter months can be very cold, windy and wet, with limited daylight.
- Centres: Windermere, Ambleside, Coniston, Eskdale, Wasdale, Buttermere, Keswick, Grasmere, Glenridding and Patterdale
- Difficulty: The main route described should be within the capabilities of most reasonably fit hillwalkers. High-level alternatives are more strenuous and in winter, snow and ice on high ground may make some sections very challenging. Good navigation skills are essential.
- Must See: High passes with superb views; picturesque towns and villages with ancient stone buildings; shapely mountains bisected by lakes, rivers and waterfalls; lake steamers; Castle Rigg Stone Circle; Hardknott Roman Fort; Wastwater - England's favourite view. Climb Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Coniston Old Man and Helvellyn and visit property once owned by Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth and others.
Specifications
- Weight: 186g
- Published: 9 Apr 2021
- Edition: Second
- Number of pages: 152
- Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 1.0cm
Table of Contents
- Contents
- Introduction
- Landscape and geology
- Plants and wildlife
- Farming
- History and culture
- The Tour of the Lake District
- Planning your Tour
- When to go
- How to get there
- Local transport
- Accommodation
- Equipment
- Maps and apps
- Navigation and safety
- Using this guide
- The Tour of the Lake District
- Prologue Windermere to Ambleside
- Stage 1 Ambleside to Coniston
- Stage 2 Coniston to Eskdale
- Stage 2A Coniston to Eskdale: high-level route
- Stage 3 Eskdale to Wasdale
- Stage 3A Eskdale to Wasdale: high-level route
- Stage 4 Wasdale to Buttermere
- Stage 4A Wasdale to Buttermere: high-level route
- Stage 5 Buttermere to Keswick
- Stage 5A Buttermere to Keswick: high-level route
- Stage 6 Keswick to Rosthwaite
- Stage 7 Rosthwaite to Grasmere
- Stage 8 Grasmere to Patterdale
- Stage 8A Grasmere to Patterdale: high-level route
- Stage 9 Patterdale to Ambleside
- Appendix A Useful contacts
- Appendix B Accommodation
- Appendix C Facilities table
- Appendix D Place names
- Appendix E Further reading and resources
