Autumn Walking
Holiday
Easier: October 6th - 11th 2013
The Lake District is particularly beautiful in the autumn, with its colourful woodlands, soft and rugged landscape. The pace of this holiday will be a relaxed one and will allow plenty of time for interest stops and photography.
For our special autumn walking holiday we have included some old favourite routes as well as some new ones. All routes are linear with comfortable transport provided. As usual there will be morning and afternoon options offering leisurely or more energetic routes, and pub lunches are included.
With walking routes of about 5 hours and daily options of between 6 to 11 miles they provide a perfect opportunity for a really enjoyable break, and are well within the capabilities of anyone reasonably fit, although some preparatory exercise would make the days even more enjoyable! Each evening we meet for drinks and discussion of the next days plans, followed by dinner.
Leave the car behind, along with the worries of route finding and have everything arranged for you. All you need are comfortable boots, a small day sack for a camera, spare pullover, waterproofs and possibly a hat and gloves.
WALKING ROUTES
Sunday Stock Ghyll
Monday
Striders: Starting at Gatesgarth Farm we follow Warnscale Beck past the waterfalls to Honister pass via the Elizabethan slate mines and the historic Drum house (an old quarry hut). Spectacular views from this vantage point before taking the Allerdale Ramble route down to Seatoller.
Strollers: Starting at Honister Pass, we take time to look in at an ancient working quarry shop before taking a leisurely stroll down hill following the Allerdale Ramble to Seatoller or Rosthwaite.
Tuesday
Striders: Our walk starts in Water Yeat and we follow Greenholme Beck through delightful open countryside to Beacon Tarn and Beacon Fell, a little oasis with stunning views towards Coniston Water. Making our way through open moorland past a reservoir down to old mill bridge and finally lunch at the Wilsons Arms. Afternoon stroll along the lakeshore to Coniston village.
Strollers: Starting our walk in Coniston driving up to the fell gate, we stroll through open moorland less frequented than the more popular footpaths to little Arrow, down an ancient bridleway with spectacular views of Coniston Water (where Donald Campbell broke world speed records) before meeting the striders for lunch. After lunch we meander over Torver Common to Sunny Bank for pick up.
Wednesday
Striders: Starting in Ullswater we take in the delights of Aira Force (a favourite of William & Dorothy Wordsworth) now looked after by the National Trust. We will lunch in Dockray. Afternoon will continue to Dowthwaite Head with magnificent views towards Lake District’s second largest lake.
Strollers: Start at Nabend we stroll along pleasant minor roads and tracks to Goosegreen and Ulcat Row before making our way to Dockray for lunch. After lunch we stroll down Aira Force.
Thursday
Striders: Starting in Windermere, we meander our way to Orrest Head, made famous by the Alfred Wainwright. Stupendous views to Windermere before heading for Holehird gardens, once the holiday residence of the Potter family. Lunch will be at a 17c Inn Queens Head. Afternoon walk back to Ambleside on the coffin route.
Strollers: Also visiting Orrest Head and then an easier route to Holehird and the old Drovers road to the delightful 17c village of Troutbeck, visiting Jesus Church before lunch. Option of afternoon walk back to Ambleside on the coffin route.
WALKING LEADERS
Anne Strange has been guiding since 1992 and has led guided walks in the Lake District and Scotland. She has been a member of the mountain rescue team for many years and has travelled extensively - walking and climbing in the Himalayas and the Alps. She is a trained mountain leader & first aider, and her other interests are cycling and local history.
Adrian Legge , a former Royal Navy officer, is a qualified Mountain Leader and has been involved in guiding in the mountains since the age of eighteen, mostly in the Lake District but also in Scotland, Wales and Norway. He is a keen skier and has trekked in the Himalayas and in most of the mountainous areas of Europe, including the Tour of Mont Blanc and the via feratta of the Italian Dolomites. Adrian lives in Windermere and has a special interest in our rich industrial heritage.
The 5-night Walking holiday runs from Sunday afternoon through to Friday morning, and the prices are per person and include full Cumbrian breakfast, 3 course dinner and VAT @ 20%. Lunch is provided Monday to Thursday, as well as all transportation.
Non-participating partners are welcome, and the cost for them is £60 less than above.
Non-Residents - A limited number of places is available for non-residents, with all items of the holiday and dinner each evening included.
We ask for a deposit of £150 per person for the holidays, which can be made by cheque or credit card. This is non-refundable unless the room is subsequently relet. Cancellation insurance is available.
Harder
Easier
Harder