Guided Walking at Conistonwater

Easier Walks   Medium Walks   Harder Walks

Easier Walks are generally on well-graded valley, fell and lakeside paths. Medium Walks are on good, but sometimes rocky paths, to lower summits and moorland fells. Harder Walks use steep and rough paths to mountain summits.

• Our experienced guides offer the choice of up to three different walks each day
• Choose the option which best suits your interests and fitness; take an Easier Walk one day and switch to a Harder Walk the next
• We offer a social activity each evening 

2012 - Itinerary One

7 night holidays
Days 1-7: Sat 28 April; Sat 19 May; Sat 9, 23 June; Sat 7, 21 July; Sat 18 Aug; Sat 1, 29 Sept

Day 1: Arrival day

Meet your leaders who will tell you more about the walks. 

Easier Walk: Enjoy a pleasant stroll through the woods to Tarn Hows lake, returning via Yew Tree Farm; donated to the National Trust by Beatrix Potter and used for the film 'Miss Potter'. 6¼ miles with 825 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Visit the summits of two local hills: Black Crag and Holme Fell, the latter with its extensive views over Southern Lakeland. 8½ miles with 1,600 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Ascend via Tilberthwaite Gill to the summit of Wetherlam, before descending via the disused workings of the Coppermines Valley. 9¾ miles with 2,450 feet of ascent.

Day 3: Loughrigg & Scandale Fells

Easier Walk: A delightful contouring circuit of Loughrigg Fell visiting an enormous man-made cave, and with extensive views of four lakes and the surrounding mountains. This walk starts and finishes in the popular Lake District town of Ambleside. 7½ miles with 950 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Walk from Ambleside to the lofty summit of Red Screes, returning via Scandale Pass and the picturesque High Sweden Bridge. 9 miles with 2,450 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: A challenging high-level circuit of five 'Wainwright' summits including Red Screes and Dove Crag, returning to Ambleside via the High Pike Ridge. 11 miles with 3,350 feet of ascent.

Day 4: Langdale Valley

Easier Walk: Enjoy a circuit of Lingmoor Fell to picturesque Little Langdale Valley visiting the much-photographed Slaters' Bridge and Blea Tarn. 8¼ miles and 875 feet of ascent. 

Medium Walk: Enjoy the high-level traverse along the aptly named Crinkle Crags with its undulating five mini-summits. This includes 'Bad Step' - a short scramble over an impressive chockstone wedged between the crags. 7¾ miles with 2,550 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Climb two of the Lake District's highest peaks. We first ascend via The Band to the top of Bow Fell, before continuing to the equally impressive Esk Pike. 9 miles with 3,200 feet of ascent.

Day 5:

For 3 night holidays arriving today, this is your chance to meet your leaders.

If you have booked a 7 night holiday, today is a free day with no guided walks organised. This is a great opportunity to explore the Lake District independently - see the Local Area tab for places that you may enjoy visiting.

Day 6: Grasmere & Easedale

Easier Walk: Starting from the village of Grasmere, famous as the home of poet William Wordsworth, we'll walk to Easedale Tarn, an impressive glacial lake. 8¼ miles with 1,000 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: An opportunity to climb Helm Crag, one of the most distinctive Lakeland Fells with the 'Lion and the Lamb' rock formations on the summit. We'll follow the ridge to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag before descending via Far Easedale. 8 miles with 1,850 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: A longer circuit which ascends via Easedale Tarn to High Raise, returning along the Calf Crag ridge back to Grasmere. 11 miles with 2,825 feet of ascent.

Day 7: Coniston Fells

Easier Walk: Walk from Blawith to Monk Coniston along the lower slopes of the Coniston Fells, with excellent views of the lake below. 9 miles with 825 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: An opportunity to climb to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston – the highest peak in the local area. We'll pass two mountain lakes, Goats Water on the ascent and Low Water on our return to Coniston. 8¾ miles with 2,400 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: A challenging high-level circuit of five 'Wainwright' summits on the Coniston Fells, including the Old Man of Coniston. 12 miles with 3,800 feet of ascent.

2012 - Itinerary Two

7 night holidays
Days 1-7: Fri 6 April; Sat 5 May; Sat 2, 16, 30 June; Sat 28 July; Sat 11, 25 Aug; Sat 22 Sept

4 night holidays
Days 1-4: Mon 5, 12, 26 March; Fri 6, Mon 16 April; Sat 5 May; Sat 2, 16, 30 June; Sat 28 July;
Sat 11, 25 Aug; Sat 22 Sept; Mon 29 Oct; Mon 5 Nov

3 night holidays
Days 5-7: Tues 10 April; Wed 9 May; Wed 6, 20 June; Wed 4 July; Wed 1, 15, 29 Aug; Wed 26 Sept; Wed 10 Oct

Day 1: Arrival day

Meet your leaders who will tell you more about the walks.

Day 2: Exploring Coniston and its fells

Easier Walk: Explore the countryside surrounding Monk Coniston, including a visit to Yew Tree Farm, once owned by Beatrix Potter, and Tarn Hows lake. 6 miles with 925 feet of ascent.

For 3 night holidays arriving today, this is your chance to meet your leaders.

If you have booked a 7 night holiday, today is a free day with no guided walks organised. This is a great opportunity to explore the Lake District independently - see the Local Area tab for places that you may enjoy visiting.

Day 6: Troutbeck and the Far Eastern Fells

Medium Walk: Starting from the top of the Kirkstone Pass head over Thornthwaite Crag to the long grassy summit of High Street with its Roman road and views of the north Pennines. 10¼ miles with 2,150 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Make the ascent from the Kirkstone Pass to the top of High Street before following the superb high-level ridge over the summits of Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke. 10¼ miles with 2,750 feet of ascent.

Easier Walk: Walk from the Langdale Valley to Monk Coniston via Blea Tarn, the pretty green valley of Little Langdale and the picturesque Slaters' Bridge. 8¾ miles with 1,100 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Starting from the Langdale Valley cross the hills to Tilberthwaite and the lower slopes of Wetherlam. We descend via the old workings of the Coppermines Valley and Miners' Bridge. 9½ miles with 1,650 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Enjoy a dramatic exploration of the Coniston Fells, visiting the summits of Great Carrs, Swirl How and Wetherlam. 12½ miles with 3,175 feet of ascent.

Local transport

On some days the walks start and finish at our Country House, Monk Coniston. On other days you’ll be transported to other parts of the Lake District. The cost of all transport to and from the walks is included in the price of your holiday.

Our guests

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. There is normally a good mix of ages, of new guests and 'regulars' from Britain and overseas, and of people travelling alone, with a partner or with friends.

In the evenings

Your leaders will inform you about the choice of walks for the next day and answer any questions you may have. After a sociable evening meal you could join in an organised activity such as a quiz or a talk about the local area, relax in the bar or use the Country House facilities.