Fri 7th August 2020
Date
2 Walking Days
Duration
Lake District
Location
4,2
Grade

Ambleside Walking Weekend

Join us for a great walking weekend as we walk one of Lakelands classic mountain trails – the Fairfield Horseshoe. 11 miles of classic mountain terrain, including several ‘Wainwright’s’, and 360 degree panoramic views from the summit.

On Sunday, to compliment Saturday’s big day, we’re keeping the route lower but its lack of height doesn’t diminish the quality of the walk up onto Loughrigg Fell via a less travelled route. A wonderful walk with fine views overlooking Grasmere lake and far reaching scenic views.

Highlights

  • Fully guided Lake District walking weekend
  • Dramatic mountain landscapes
  • 2 days of scenic guided walks
  • Several Wainwright summits
  • Enjoyable social evenings
INCLUDED
2 days of scenic guided walking Social evenings
Experienced guide Tour leader throughout
NOT INCLUDED
Spending money
Meals and drinks

 

Accommodation for this tour is not included. For accommodation information and all essential tour information please click on the ‘Trip Notes’ tab.

Additional information

Min Age18
1

Friday – (Optional) Welcome Evening

Friday Welcome Evening (optional) is 8.30pm in Ambleside. It’s a chance for everyone on the walking weekend to meet and the Country Adventures tour leader will be on hand to answer any questions about the planned walks. If you’re unable to make it to the Welcome Evening, the booking confirmation will detail everything you need to know about the weekend.

2

Saturday - Walk Day

Grade 4 walk – Fairfield Horseshoe 11 miles (17.7km), with 3400 ft (1036m) of ascent

From the centre of Ambleside, our route onto the Fairfield summit will be via the interesting and dramatic rockier route of High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag, with the descent via the more rolling grass topped mountains of Great Rigg and Heron Pike. It’s a great route!

In the evening, an optional social evening is planned in Ambleside, where the group can meet up for a drink and enjoy an evening meal together.

3

Sunday - Walk & Departure Day

Grade 2 – Loughrigg Fell via Clappersgate 6.5 miles (10.5km), with 1440 ft (439m) of ascent

From the shore of Windermere lake we pass through Fort Galava, the ruins of a Roman Fort, before heading onto Loughrigg Fell via the much quieter route from Clappersgate. After a series of steady climbs we’ll reach the summit trig point at the summit of Loughrigg Fell which stands at 335m above sea level and offers stunning 360-degree panoramic vistas of the surrounding Lakeland landscape.

The walking weekend finishes back in Ambleside between 2-3pm.

Essential Info

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included as part of this trip. If you require help with booking accommodation you may find the following links useful:.

Ambleside Online Selection of Hotels and Guest Houses in Ambleside

YHA Ambleside Hostel

Booking.com Search for accommodation in or near to Ambleside, Cumbria

We recommend booking accommodation in, or near to, Ambleside for easy reach to the meeting point for both the walks and social evenings.

Food & Drink

For the walk(s) please bring with you a packed lunch and refreshments. Occasionally on some guided walks (Grade 1 to 2 walks) we may pass a country inn or tea room where if we have time we can call in, however having a packed lunch with you gives the group the freedom to have lunch wherever we are on the walking route.

On Saturday evening, an optional social evening in the centre of Ambleside is organised by Country Adventures, where the group can meet up for a drink and enjoy an evening meal together.

Transport

For guided walking tours that require transport from the meeting point to the start of the walk, we use a minibus or where necessary local transport. There is no extra charge for this, it is included in the trip price.

Fitness Levels

Our walks are by no means designed to be endurance tests where everyone sets off at a blistering pace. Far from it, it’s about a fine day in the hills in good company enjoying the best of fell walking with exceptional views but it is important to state that for everyone’s walking enjoyment walking does require a minimum level of fitness and stamina.  Hill / Mountain walking experience is not essential as long as you have a reasonable level of fitness.  For the higher level graded walks (i.e. Challenging Grade) it is advisable that you are someone who enjoys regular cardio exercise or have experience of mountain walking and have the stamina/ leg strength in order to be better prepared for longer sections of uphill & downhill walking associated with higher mountain treks.

Walking Grades Explained

Grade 1 (Leisurely) Normally 5-8 miles, may include gentle ascents and descents of up to a total 1100ft of ascent and similar descent over a day’s walk.  Easier scenic walking at lower altitudes along paths and tracks.

Grade 2 (Moderate) Normally 6-10 miles on paths and tracks, between 800ft – 1700ft of total ascent and similar descent.  Longer walks, on hills and moorland.

Grade 3 (Moderate Mountain) Normally ranging from 6-10 miles, between 1700ft – 2600ft of ascent, similar descent.  Longer walks, over higher ground with possibly steeper ups and downs on paths and tracks.

Grade 4 (Challenging) Normally ranging from 8-13 miles, between 1500ft – 3000+ft of ascent, similar descent, over undulating mountain terrain, walking at higher levels with steep ups and downs.  Suitable for people with a good level of fitness.

Kit List

What you need to bring with you for the walks

  • Good, comfortable walking boots with a cleated sole and good ankle support are essential.
  • Waterproof jacket and over-trousers.
  • Warm, dry walking clothing. Unsuitable clothing includes Jeans or cotton tracksuit bottoms and cotton t-shirts (cotton is a poor insulating fabric and when wet it takes a long time to dry, which can lead to a rapid loss of body heat as well as being uncomfortable).
  • A number of thin layers are better than one thick/ heavy jumper. We suggest a fleece for extra warmth especially when we stop on the hills for lunch.
  • Hat and gloves (even in summer – any wind chill on the mountain tops will lead to cooler temperatures).
  • Sunglasses, sun cream.
  • Hot or cold drinks (i.e. a minimum of 2 litres of water).
  • Plenty of food and drink for lunch and snacks.
  • A rucksack large enough to carry it all in (20-30 litres), ideally with a waterproof liner.
  • Any medication you need.
  • Thermos flask. We recommend bringing warm drinks with you, as even on sunny days it can occasionally feel cooler, especially on the summits of the higher-level mountain walks.
  • Walking poles (if you use them).

We want you to enjoy your time with Country Adventures and have the best possible adventure experience. Please be aware that if any participants are not properly equipped for the walk (i.e. with walking boots and waterproofs), at the guide’s discretion we reserve the right to not allow them on the walk for reasons of safety for both the individual and the group. If you need clarification any of the equipment requirements, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Tour Schedule & Activity Meeting Times

Please ensure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the meeting point at the required time. The transport for our day walks will leave promptly at the stated time and due to the nature of scheduled tours, we are unable to provide refunds if unfortunately, you miss the departure time.

Meeting Point

Please meet in Ambleside, details will be included with your final booking confirmation.

Address: Ambleside, Cumbria

Reviews

At Country Adventures we’re very proud that time after time our customers enjoy our walking weekends, holidays and adventure breaks. We thrive on customer feedback, it helps to ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be.

We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone.


Great walks and location

As a frequent customer of Country Adventures, Joe must be doing the right thing. Great walks and locations. Here's to the next one in September.

Sarah, Ambleside Walking Weekend 2020

Country Adventures
5
2020-08-11T21:37:47+00:00

Sarah, Ambleside Walking Weekend 2020

As a frequent customer of Country Adventures, Joe must be doing the right thing. Great walks and locations. Here's to the next one in September.

Great walks, great guide

Great walks, great guide and great company! Looking forward to my next trip.

Victoria, Ambleside Waking Weekend August 2020

Country Adventures
5
2020-08-25T21:22:31+00:00

Victoria, Ambleside Waking Weekend August 2020

Great walks, great guide and great company! Looking forward to my next trip.

Great Weekend

Country Adventures delivered another great weekend with beautiful views and weather. Joe worked hard to give the best experience possible. Looking forward to my next trip.

Rob, Ambleside Walking Weekend 2020

Country Adventures
5
2020-08-11T21:35:58+00:00

Rob, Ambleside Walking Weekend 2020

Country Adventures delivered another great weekend with beautiful views and weather. Joe worked hard to give the best experience possible. Looking forward to my next trip.
5
3
Country Adventures
Lake District Fairfield walk
Lake District Fairfield walk
Lake District Fairfield walk
Lake District Fairfield

Tour Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Leave a Review

Rating