Cross Lakes Ramble

This walk starts in Windermere and follows the first two linear walking days of the Heart of Lakeland, but from Eskdale, rather than going northwards to Wasdale and Keswick, it continues to the Cumbrian coast at Ravenglass where there is a station on the scenic Cumbrian coastal railway. It is possible to catch a train at Ravenglass on the same day, or a further night’s accommodation can be booked at Ravenglass, allowing departure the following morning. A Sunday train service from Ravenglass has recently been introduced on a trial basis, but you are advised to recheck before relying on catching a Sunday train on the coastal line.

Difficulty:

Either moderate or strenuous (participants’ choice), depending on use made of public transport. On Day 3 when the walking distance would be more than 7 miles (11 kilometres), and no public transport is available, a taxi rendez-vous can be arranged at no additional cost, giving participants the choice of driving or walking the second half of the day’s itinerary.

Day One:

Arrival in Windermere. A meeting with our representative will normally be arranged, and practice in map reading can be given, though this would need to be arranged in advance.
Day Two:

Walk to Coniston via Hawkshead and picturesque Tarn Hows, with public transport available from Hawkshead if required (7 miles or 12 kilometres to Hawkshead, 11 miles or 18 kilometres to go the whole way, with 350 or 500 metres respectively of height gain).
Day Three:

Walk to Eskdale via Seathwaite in Dunnerdale, which many regard as the most beautiful and peaceful of the Lakeland valleys. A taxi rendez-vous can be arranged if required at Seathwaite around lunchtime (7.5 miles or 13 kilometres to Seathwaite, 12 miles or 20 kilometres to go the whole way, with 600 or 800 metres respectively of height gain).

Day Four:

Walk to Ravenglass on the Cumbrian coast, from where it is possible to take a train on the Cumbrian coastal line. either northwards to Carlisle, or southwards to Barrow in Furness, Lancaster and destinations further south. The walk can be done mainly in the valley floor, or by following the scenic ridge of Muncaster Fell.