Sat 12th November 2022
Date
2 Walking Days
Duration
Lake District
Location
3-4, 2
Grade

Keswick Walking Weekend

What better way to enjoy the Autumn season than with a Lake District weekend of guided walks amongst fantastic mountain vistas and valley trails.

Saturday is a mountain day taking in the Wainwright fells of Dale Head & High Spy complete with amazing panoramic views, followed by Sundays walk of Latrigg and the restored Keswick Old Railway Line.

Highlights

  • Two days of excellent scenic guided walks
  • Stunning views
  • Wainwright walks
  • Saturday social evening
INCLUDED
2 days of scenic guided walking Saturday social evening
Experienced guide Complimentary drink
Transport for the walk(s) Trip leader throughout
NOT INCLUDED
Meals and 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

Saturday - Meet Up, Walk & Social

Grade 3/4 – Newlands Valley, High Spy & Derwent Water 10 miles (16km), with 2300 ft (701m) of ascent

The weekend starts on Saturday morning in Keswick (please see Trip Notes for Times & Meeting Point) where today’s complimentary transport will take us to the start of the day’s walk in Little Town, just outside Keswick.

Today’s walk is mainly on stony, rocky paths, over undulating terrain and we begin by heading up gradually through the Newlands Valley, past waterfalls and old copper mines as we steadily ascend up to Dale Head Tarn and finally up onto High Spy fell for some of the finest Lakeland mountain vistas. Once on the summit, the mountain trail continues for 2 miles and gradually descends towards Derwent Water, often referred to as the Queen of the Lakes, for its scenic beauty. The final section of today’s guided walk is along The Cumbria Way before finishing the day in the center of Keswick.

At the end of the walk, we will find a local Lakeland pub or local restaurant for refreshments and a chance to have an evening meal together to round off a perfect day’s walk.

2

Sunday - Walk & Departure Day

Grade 2 – Old Keswick Railway Line and Latrigg 6 miles (9.6km), with 1128 ft (344m) of ascent

Alfred Wainwright said it perfectly – “Latrigg is to Keswick what Loughrigg is to Ambleside and Helm Crag to Grasmere: a small hill, an excellent viewpoint, a great favourite of local folk and visitors.”

With views overlooking the whole of Keswick, Latrigg is a wonderful, easy to moderate, hill-walk, taking in open country and woodlands. Today’s walk also includes the Keswick Old Railway Line which has been wonderfully restored after the 2015 floods and refurbished with new features.

The walk and weekend will finish in Keswick by 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:

Keswick Information Centre accommodation listings for Keswick

Booking.com search for accommodation in or near to Keswick, Cumbria

We recommend booking accommodation in, or near to Keswick, for easy reach to the meeting point for the walks.

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 after the walk, an optional social evening in Keswick is organised by Country Adventures, where the group can go 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 charge for this.

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 (Grade 3 to 4) 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. A good level of fitness and stamina is required.

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

Saturday Walk – 9.15am please meet outside Moot Hall, Keswick

Sunday Walk – 9.30am please meet outside Moot Hall, Keswick

Address: Moot Hall (Visitor Information Centre), Market Square, Keswick CA12 5JR

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