Walkwise Walking Weekend August Bank Holiday Keswick and the North West Lakes

The beauty of this area is that we are immersed in some of the best walking in the Lake District and we will endeavour to share the very best that the Keswick and Derwent area has on offer.  

The harder walks: Keswick lies sandwiched between the lake and the towering giants of Helvellyn, Blencathra, Skiddaw and Grizedale Pike too. We’ll find inventive ways of tackling these giants or their subsidiaries. Blencathra normally involves an interesting route to the summit and walking back to Keswick the quiet way. Grisedale Pike is always a good one being so close to the centre as is Skiddaw. We’ll look at what the conditions are like and take into account cloud base etc and come up with a finalised plan when we have all those details plus how we are all feeling.

The moderate walkers are also the most definitely amazing walks and rely less on cloud base to make these happen.  In fact, just by simply looking out of the front lounge we can see down across the lawn to the shores of Derwentwater itself. Beyond its shore Walla Crag and Bleaberry fell provide a wonderful back drop. There is obviously the amazing circuit of Derwent water which takes in many quaint villages and hamlets but can also be added to by taking in the stunning viewpoints of Castlehead, walla Crag and Ashness Bridge. Behind the house lies often forgotten Newlands Valley (setting for Mrs Tiggywinkle and more recently the A word). This lovely lush green valley is one of the quietest and most picturesque in the Lakes, we may also have the chance to gently ascent to the more diminutive but still rewarding and impressive viewpoints of Stile End, Outerside and Barrow. From the summit of which you can see across to the delights of Bassenthwaite Lake and Dodd Wood, the setting for another day walk. This delightful walk wanders across the fields to a remote church on the side of Bassenthwaite Lake, the scene all set for King Arthur’s demise. After a short visit to the side of the lake we wander through the country estate of Mirehouse. From here it is on to Dodd Wodd and then to the magnificent viewpoint of Dodd’s summit. An interesting descent leads us to the riverside and a charming tootle back to Keswick. We’ll choose three days between these choices to be sure to have a great long weekend. 

To allow you to choose a walk that suits you best, WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On each days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with 3,000ft of ascent (please be realistic about your level of fitness and join the right walk for you, after all it is all about pleasure at the end of day) and a more moderate walk of 7-9 miles with less ascent. All walks are weather dependent and own transport or coaches may be taken to the walk starts.