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.
Table of Content
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
About the author
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.
More ebooks from the same author(s) / Editor
27,768 Ebooks in this category
