Spring Walking Holidays
May 6th - 11th 2012
May 20th - 25th 2012
The Lake District is particularly beautiful in the spring, with the lambs and spring flowers, as well as the rugged landscape. The pace of this holiday will be a relaxed one and will allow plenty of time for interest stops and photography.
This year, we have included some 'old favourites' as well as some new routes. 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: Our introductory walk is a stroll to Stock Ghyll in Ambleside.
Monday: Striders will start at Stair in Newlands, ascending Causey Pike via Rowling End, a place of distinctive character. From the summit we continue to the summit of Sail before dropping down towards Barrow, finishing in Braithwaite.
Strollers will walk in the area of Catbells, and the delightful Newlands Valley, also ending in the village of Braithwaite.
Tuesday: Striders have a full and strenuous day, starting in Paterdale with the ascent of St Sunday Crag and Birks (with views across to Striding Edge and Helvellyn) before continuing on over Cofa Pike, Fairfield, Hart Crag and down the ridge back to Ambleside.
Strollers will also start in the Ullswater valley near Patterdale, taking in Gowbarrow and Aira Force with lunch at Royal Inn, Dockray.
Wednesday: Striders will start their walk in the delightful Lyth valley meandering through woodlands to reach the summit of Whitbarrow, a lovely area of outstanding natural beauty before continuing over limestone pavements in the quieter south east corner of the Lake District. Descent is by way of Whitbarrow Scar to the hamlet of Beckhead, following quiet country lanes to the Derby Arms for lunch. After lunch we go over Latterbarrow to Halecat and Witherslack Church to finish.
The strollers will start with the Striders up to Lords Seat from here we descent down to Witherslack woods, meandering through woods and fields, to Lunch at Derby Arms. Afternoon as Striders.
Thursday: Early start for Striders driving around to Wasdale Head for a very full and strenuous day up to Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones for stunning views from the highest summit in the Lakes. Then descend towards the ancient packhorse route of Esk Hause, once used by the monks of Furness Abbey as a trade route, dropping down into Mickleden and the Langdale valley to meet the strollers.
Strollers will start in Coniston and walk via Hodge Close to lunch at the Three Shires Inn. Afternoon walk up the Little Langdale valley and then by Blea Tarn to finish at the Old Dungeon Ghyll at the head of the Langdale Valley.
The holidays begin on the Sunday afternoon and finish on Friday morning. Prices are per person for the 5 nights 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 £80 less than above.
A deposit of £150 per person is required for the holidays, which can be made by cheque or credit card. This is non-refundable unless the room is subsequently re let; cancellation insurance is available
WALKING LEADERS
Tom McCafferty is a Blue Badge Guide based in the south west of Cumbria. He is a native Cumbrian, born in Maryport and since retiring as a Police Sergeant in 2000 he has been guiding professionally. As well as walking Tom is a driver guide and member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding, The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides, Cumbria Tourist Guides and The Association of Driver Guides. He possesses a dry West Cumbrian sense of humour and enjoys sharing his interest in local history, culture, poetry and the many literary connections with the Lake District.
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.