December
8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return
9½ miles (15.3km) with 2795ft (852m) Total Ascent.
Our walk today starts from Ambleside where we make our way up to the top of Wansfell & Wansfell Pike. Heading along the Hundreds we make our way to Baystones, past Idle Hill and down to Woundale Raise.
A hop skip and a jump over the road and we head up the side of Broad End, up Bields Crag to Woundale. Just before St Raven's Edge we make our way down the path to the Kirkstone Pass road. Heading down The Struggle we pick up a footpath that takes us back to Ambleside past Stockghyll Force. Once back in Ambleside we head off down the road to the water's edge where the coaches will pick use up. Enjoy your day.
9 miles (14.5km) with 1200ft (366m) Total Ascent.
Ambleside to Hawkshead with mainly gradual climbing. The views are quite spectacular at times of the surrounding mountains, this being contrasted by Colwith Force a quite dramatic waterfall and the tranquil scenery around Tarn Hows.
We start by walking through Rothay Park in Ambleside and continue over the River Rothay to start our ascent of Loughrigg Fell. Skirting around the summit, we descend to Skelwith Bridge and pick up the Cumbria Way. We now follow the Cumbria Way past Colwith Force to turn south east following the Tongue Plantation on our left. Heading south along a path following the A593, we cross the road at High Cross and continue along the Cumbria Way for a mile or so, before leaving it to head for Tarn Hows. After walking the length of Tarn Hows, we now follow a path taking us past Hill Fell to the small hamlet of Hawkshead Hill and then on to Hawkshead village and the awaiting coaches.
8 miles (12.9km) with 900ft (274m) Total Ascent.
We first head eastwards across fields to Colthouse and then start a gentle climb over a bridleway to Claife Heights. Heading north we reach the summit of Latterbarrow, a possible lunch stop. This hill, on the side of Windermere affords wonderful views of the water and the surrounding mountains. We leave Latterbarrow and head north east to the lake shore via the village of High Wray. Heading northwards along the lake side we reach Wray Castle and then head back to Hawkshead via Blelham Tarn and Outgate.
There should be time to explore Hawkshead and have a look around the shops and possibly enjoy some liquid refreshment.
7 miles (11.3km) with 599ft (183m) Total Ascent.
We will have our breakfast in the cafe next to the car park, after which we will make our way to Colthouse to pick up a path that goes through Colthouse Plantation. This path goes all the way to Belle Grange, where we follow a path along the edge of Windermere to Wray Castle. We shall have lunch at the castle. After lunch we make our way down the driveway, go right at the road junction and pick up a path on our left which takes us around Blelham Tarn. We then reach Outgate from where field paths bring us back to Hawkshead. We shall have time for refreshments and a browse around before the coach leaves for home.