Fri 27th August 2021
Date
3 Walking Days
Duration
Lake District
Location
4,3,2
Grade

Grasmere Walking Weekend

Come and join us for a memorable Grasmere walking weekend over the August Bank Holiday weekend.  A good mix of mountain guided walk options will be available, including a walk on the classic Helvellyn mountain range.

As England’s 3rd highest mountain, and the 3rd highest in the Lake District, Helvellyn is arguably one of the Lake Districts most popular fells. With its numerous routes to the summit, walkers return to walk on Helvellyn time after time to enjoy the finest views.

As Alfred Wainwright said himself, “There is some quality about Helvellyn which endears it in the memory of most people who have stood on its breezy top.”

Combined with enjoyable group social evenings, it promises to be a special trip.

Highlights

  • Fully guided walking holiday
  • 3.5 days of scenic guided walks
  • View from the summit of Helvellyn
  • Breath taking mountain scenery
  • Walking several Wainwright summits
  • Enjoyable social evenings
INCLUDED
3.5 days of scenic guided walking Social evenings
Experienced guide Trip leader throughout
Transport for the walk(s)
NOT INCLUDED
Meals & Drinks
Accommodation

 

Accommodation for this trip is not included. For accommodation information and all essential trip 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 Grasmere village. It’s a chance for everyone on the holiday to meet and the Country Adventures trip 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 walking weekend.

At 3.30pm from Grasmere there is a Country Adventures guided walk for people who are keen to arrive early. The walk is a Grade 2 walk of 5 miles & 1400ft of ascent, taking in the summit of Silver How with great views looking down onto Grasmere.

2

Saturday - Walk Day

Grade 4 – Helvellyn 8.4 miles (13.5km), with 3014 ft (919m) of ascent

Our route to the Helvellyn summit starts from Wythburn Church, a quaint little church located in the foothills of Helvellyn, once frequented by the ‘Romantic poets including William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge. A short walk uphill from the church, through a wooded plantation, quickly brings you out in the open landscape, and the route on good ground steadily rises for 2½ miles and 2550ft ascent, which is most of the day’s total ascent, to the Helvellyn summit.

On a clear day, the views from the top are magnificent and we will have our packed lunch just off the summit with views towards Striding Edge, one of the finest ridges in the Lake District. For most part, the second stage of the route is downhill as we walk on the slopes of Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike, two further Wainwright fells. The downhill route is steeper in sections but on suitable footpaths which are very safe and there should be time to have a short break at the mountain lake of Grisedale Tarn before we join a 2-mile downhill section of the Coast to Coast Long Distance footpath to finish the walk just outside of Grasmere village at the Travellers Rest Lakeland Inn, the perfect place to treat yourself to a refreshment following a good days walk.

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

3

Sunday - Walk Day

Grade 3 – Steel Fell & Helm Crag 8 miles (12.9km), with 2263 ft (690m) of ascent

Starting from the idyllic Lakeland village of Grasmere, today’s scenic guided walk features Helm Crag, also known as the ‘Lion and the Lamb’, a highly regarded Wainwright walk in a stunning mountain and valley setting overlooking Grasmere village. With Steel Fell combined, it’s the perfect match of good mid-range mountain footpaths whilst taking in the views of loftier mountain tops.

In the evening, an optional social evening is planned in Grasmere, where the group can meet up for a drink and enjoy an evening meal together at a nearby Inn or local restaurant.

4

Monday - Walk Day & Departure Day

Grade 2 – Alcock Tarn 7 miles (11.2km), with 1600 ft (487m) of ascent

The perfect walk to finish the weekend. After an initial short but steep ascent we’ll arrive at the tarn set in a scenic hill setting overlooking Grasmere village. The walk also includes the idyllic lakeshore footpath of Rydal and Grasmere as we arrive back in Grasmere village.

The walk and holiday finishes between 3-4pm.

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:

YHA Grasmere budget accommodation with private rooms

Booking.com search for accommodation in Grasmere, Cumbria

We recommend booking accommodation in, or near to, Grasmere village 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 and Sunday evening, an optional social evening in Grasmere is organised by Country Adventures, where the group can meet up for a drink and enjoy an evening meal together.

Transport

For guided walking holidays 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 on any of the equipment requirements, please do not hesitate to ask.

Trip 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 trips, we are unable to provide refunds if unfortunately, you miss the departure time.

Meeting Point

Welcome Evening – 8.30pm at YHA Grasmere

Walking Days – 9.30am at YHA Grasmere

Address: YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe, Easedale Road, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9QG

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.


My first guided walking weekend

A great walking weekend in the most beautiful spot. This was the first guided walking weekend that I'd done, and it exceeded my expectations. It's so worth having someone do the guiding and navigating (so you can concentrate on completing the distances) and Joe is also a great source of local knowledge, making the walks really interesting in terms of history of the area. He's also great at giving walking tips; I learned a lot and walked far more than I would have done if I was just with friends or on a day out. A real sense of achievement. The evening meals were also very enjoyable, and Joe makes sure everyone knows where to be and how to get there, keeping everyone safe and happy and doing all the hard work for you so you can relax! I will definitely sign up for another.
Country Adventures
5
2021-09-04T10:05:53+00:00
A great walking weekend in the most beautiful spot. This was the first guided walking weekend that I'd done, and it exceeded my expectations. It's so worth having someone do the guiding and navigating (so you can concentrate on completing the distances) and Joe is also a great source of local knowledge, making the walks really interesting in terms of history of the area. He's also great at giving walking tips; I learned a lot and walked far more than I would have done if I was just with friends or on a day out. A real sense of achievement. The evening meals were also very enjoyable, and Joe makes sure everyone knows where to be and how to get there, keeping everyone safe and happy and doing all the hard work for you so you can relax! I will definitely sign up for another.
1
Country Adventures

Another great experience from Country Adventures

Another great experience from Country Adventures. Experienced guiding through Crinkle Crags to the summit of Bowfell. Joe and the team always make it seem effortless but that belies the hard work and planning that takes place before, during and after each walk.

Rohan, Lake District Walking Holiday

Country Adventures
5
2018-11-29T10:17:48+00:00

Rohan, Lake District Walking Holiday

Another great experience from Country Adventures. Experienced guiding through Crinkle Crags to the summit of Bowfell. Joe and the team always make it seem effortless but that belies the hard work and planning that takes place before, during and after each walk.
1
Country Adventures

I would recommend Country Adventures to anyone

Another well organised trip to the Lake District by Joe. The weather was beautiful, and we had a great time! The hostel was nice and comfortable. I would recommend Country Adventures to anyone. I am looking forward to my next trip!

Nikki, Easter Walking Holiday 2019

Country Adventures Twixmas Walking Holiday
5
2019-04-25T09:20:48+00:00

Nikki, Easter Walking Holiday 2019

Another well organised trip to the Lake District by Joe. The weather was beautiful, and we had a great time! The hostel was nice and comfortable. I would recommend Country Adventures to anyone. I am looking forward to my next trip!
5
1
Country Adventures Twixmas Walking Holiday
Lake District Helvellyn mountain walk
Lake District Helvellyn mountain walk
Lake District Helm Crag walk

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