Lesley Williams 
Walking the Tour of the Lake District [PDF ebook] 
A nine-day circuit of Cumbria’s fells, valleys and lakes

The Lake District National Park is England’s most popular mountain region and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Suitable for most reasonably fit hillwalkers, the 145km (90 mile) Tour of the Lake District takes in the best of this beautiful region in a circular tour. The route is presented in nine stages, plus an optional ‘prologue’ stage from Windermere station to the start-point in Ambleside, and can be compressed into one week or extended over two weeks, giving time to visit many attractions on the way.

In addition to the main (non-waymarked) route, which links the main towns and valleys of the national park, five interchangeable high-level stages are also offered, enabling you to visit some of the region’s most celebrated high peaks – including Coniston Old Man, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Helvellyn – should you so wish. Each stage includes summary statistics and clear route description illustrated with OS mapping and an elevation profile. There are notes on local points of interest and a wealth of information to help you plan your tour, covering public transport, accommodation and kit, plus accommodation listings and a facilities table.

The Tour showcases the magnificent landscapes of the region, from mountain vistas to idyllic lakeshore scenery. There are lakes, rivers and waterfalls, characterful towns and villages, remote valleys, high fells and fascinating historical features including a Neolithic stone circle, packhorse bridges and properties that once belonged to Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. There are a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and opportunities to sample delicious local produce. The Tour of the Lake District is an ideal way to discover all the region has to offer and is sure to generate lots of memorable experiences.

قائمة المحتويات

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

عن المؤلف

Originally from Oxfordshire, Lesley Williams’ first experience of the Lake District fells was as a teenager. With a lifelong passion for walking, trekking and more recently cycle touring, Lesley has been Cicerone’s marketing director for over 20 years. Based on the edge of the Lake District, she and her husband Jonathan have relished the excuse to spend many happy (and sometimes very cold and wet) days on the fells researching the route for this book. Lesley is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.