dossier

The Cumbrian Way

General Information

Duration of tour: 8 days (7 nights)

Season: March 30to mid October.

Starting point of tour: Ulverston.

Tour ends:Keswick.

Nearest major City and International Airport:Manchester - 2hrs.15 mins by direct railservice. The first hotel is 5 minutes walk from the station.

Grading

Moderate. Some long days and steep climbs and descents. Generally however undulating. Mixed weather can be expected. We would not recommend the route for first time walkers.

Waymarking

National Trail Acorn marks often attached to postsand stiles. But you will have to usemap interpretation especially in times of low visibility, so you should beaccustomed to map and compass.

Getting to the Start

Outward journey from London to Ulverston- Train from London Euston via Preston to Ulverston. Journeytime 5 hours. Hotel is 5 minutes walk from the station.

Inward journey to Manchester at end of tour: Bus or taxi (no buses on Sundays) from Keswick to Penrithor Carlisle (30-45 mins). Then mainline train to Manchester via Preston thattakes approx 2 1/2 hours.

Inward journey to London at end of tour: Bus or taxi (no buses on Sundays) from Keswick to Penrithor Carlisle (30-45 mins). Then mainline train to London Euston. (4 Hours)

Your Accommodation

Night 1:Your first hotel is a friendly, family run hotel in the heart of thisattractive market town. Proprietors Ken & Brenda run this three crown ratedhotel and have created a friendly atmosphere and always extend a warm welcometo their guests. All rooms have en suite bathrooms and are equipped with T.V,and tea and coffee making facilities, direct dial telephone.

Night 2:Overnight at a traditional Lakeland Inn with cozy log fires and beamedceilings. A selection of excellent realale and delicious homemade food is served. All rooms have en suite shower room, hair dryer and tea and coffeemaking facilities.

Nights 3 & 4: A traditional, single-story Lakeland cottage in the centerof Coniston village. All rooms are en suite and there is a guests' lounge withTV. Evening meals are available in the many pubs and restaurants nearby.Coniston is a superb base for walks and two nights are spent here.

Night 5: Westay at the famous climbers' inn The Old Dungeon Ghyll. This historic hotel hasprovided accommodation for Lake District explorers for 300 years. The hotel isvery comfortable, offering excellent facilities including a well stocked barserving a full range of local beers, carefully prepared home-cooked meals, andtraditional decoration throughout. Set in the magnificent Langdale Valley, TheOld Dungeon Ghyll is amongst the finest inns in the country, and as such isdeservedly a favorite with all who visit.

Night 6: Tonightwe stay in a very small, and long established guesthouse. It is set in abeautiful small hamlet, and offers excellent home cooking. A popular peacefulretreat for former clients. No en suitefacilities tonight as this is a listed building.

Night 7: Inthe market town of Keswick that nestles beneath the giant Skiddaw by the shoresof Derwentwater, we stay at a fine 4 star country hotel set right on the oldmarket square close to all the towns amenities.

Included
Bed and breakfast with en suite facilities where available.Luggage transfers from Inn to Inn. Full route notes and map package.

Extend your Stay

Ulverston from US$58 per person per night

Keswick from US$77 per person per night

Escorted Departure in 2007:

Saturday, May 12 to Saturday, May 19

Saturday, Sept 1 to Saturday, Sept 8

ITINERARY

Day 1 Ulverston: Travel to start point an historic market town close to the shores of Morecambe Bay.

Day 2 Lowick Bridge: Via Beacon Tarn (9 Miles 5 Hours). By the shores of Morcambe Bay and through 'Blawith.' Gently undulating farmland with enticing views of the superb mountains to come. There are frequent stiles and 'kissing gates' along the footpaths.

Day 3 Coniston: Water Yeat to Coniston. A pleasant walk along the western shores of Coniston Water. (8 Miles 4 Hours).

Day 4 Coniston: In Coniston from here you can tackle Coniston Old Man or take a variety of scenic walks. You can take a trip on the lake visit Grisedale forest or simply relax in this pleasant village. This is a classic Lakeland village and the setting for 'Swallows and Amazon's' and an inspiration for Beatrix Potter.

Day 5 Langdale: Coniston to Langdale (11 Miles 6 Hours). We pass the exquisite little lake at Tarn Hows and enter the beautiful Langdale valley with its tiny hamlets at Elterwater and Chapel stile. This is Lakeland scenery at its best.

Day 6 Borrowdale: Langdale to Borrowdale (8 Miles 4 Hours) Hike to the head of Langdale then over the Stake Pass (1600ft) between Bow Fell and the Pike of Stickle. Then its down into the remote Langstrath valley and on to Borrowdale.

Day 7 Keswick: Borrowdale to Keswick (9 Miles 3.5 Hours). A walk through the delightful woodlands of Borrowdale, then a walk along the shores of Derwentwater to Keswick. A lively and attractive market town at the heart of the Lake District. There is time for an afternoon visit to the Caldbeck ring. If you want to climb Skiddaw the mountain that towers over the town you will need to stay an extra night here.

Day 8: End of tour

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