Full Description
Discover the Lake District's literary heritage and inspiring landscapes on the Tour of the Lake District, a 144km (90-mile) circular long-distance route beginning and ending in Ambleside. Traverse iconic scenery, from tranquil lakeshores and wildflower meadows to dramatic fells and historic villages, on a journey designed to showcase the very best of Lakeland walking.
Ideal for both new and experienced walkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook to the Tour of the Lake District offers low- and high-level routes, allowing you to tailor the adventure to your preferred style and ability. The route is divided into nine stages, each offering a unique blend of scenic beauty, wildlife, and traditional hospitality.
The Tour of the Lake District is described in a clockwise direction, with guidance for walking in reverse and suggested 7-, 9-, and 13-day itineraries to suit different timeframes and ambitions.
Choose the low-level route for a gentler Lake District walk, linking charming villages such as Grasmere, Elterwater, and Patterdale, welcoming inns, and the picturesque valleys of Borrowdale and Great Langdale, as well as the lakeshores of Derwentwater and Coniston Water, throughout the National Park.
Opt for the high-level alternative to summit classic peaks such as Coniston Old Man, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, and Helvellyn, and to experience the Lake District's most dramatic mountain scenery.
Each stage includes start/finish points, distance, estimated walking time, terrain summary, refreshment stops, and accommodation options in villages such as Keswick, Grasmere, and Elterwater.
Clear, step-by-step route descriptions are supported by detailed 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey® maps, downloadable GPX files, and practical navigation advice, ensuring a safe and enjoyable Lake District walking experience for both traditional and digital users exploring this renowned National Park.
A detailed route summary table and itinerary planner help you organise your Tour of the Lake District adventure with confidence, making it easy to plan your ideal long-distance walk.
Plan your Tour of the Lake District with this essential guidebook, your key to exploring one of England's most beautiful long-distance circular walks, and to experiencing the warm hospitality, sweeping vistas, and timeless charm of the National Park.
Contents
Map key
Route summary table
Overview map
Alternative schedules
Preface
Acknowledgements
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
