Lake District Ridge Walks

One of the best things about walking in The Lake District National Park is the opportunity to walk along airy ridges high in the mountains with superb panoramic views all around.

We offer a fine selection of fully guided ridge walks of varying duration and difficulty from 4-8 hours; some including scrambling sections from Grade 1 to 3.

These walks offer superb variety and panoramic views and are ideal for a half or full day outing for the pleasure of the walk or as preparation training for a forthcoming challenge event.

We include an experienced guide, outdoor equipment, drinks and packed lunch ensuring a memorable experience and also provide you with photographic highlights of your day on CD.

We offer a wide choice of walks from 4 to 8 hours including:

The Coledale Horseshoe

Location: Braithwaite, North Western Fells

Length: 14km / 8.7 miles

Ascent: 1140m / 3740ft

Time: 7 hours

Difficulty: This is a long and sustained walk, with a number of strenuous ascents and descents. The technical difficulties are low, however, though the ascent from Coledale Hause involves steep, scrambly scree, and for the initial descent from Causey Pike you may need to use hands (or bottom) as well as feet.

Scrambling Grade: 0.4

Comment: The North Western Fells are noted for their elegant ridges and this long horseshoe around Coledale provides one of the finest ridge walks in the Lake District.

The Mosedale Horseshoe

Location: Wasdale, Western Fells.

Length: 16km / 10 miles

Ascent: 1170m / 3850ft

Time 7.5 hours

Difficulty: There are no technical difficulties, though this route does have a sting in its tail: the ascent of Yewbarrow's north prow via Stirrup Crag presents a mild scramble (Scrambling Grade 0.5), and the descent of its southern prow is rather tough with unstable scree, and requires careful route-finding.

Comment: This is a high skyline of powerful mountains around one of Lakeland's moost desolate valleys and provides and energetic but immensely rewarding excursion.

The Scafells from Eskdale

Location: Eskdale, Wesyern Fells

Length: 13.5km / 8.25 miles

Ascent: 900m / 2950ft

Time: 8 hours

Difficulty: It is a long way even to reach the ridges detailed, which are physically and technically demanding with a high degree of exposure in places.The going is stony along the heights, and there are sections of bog lower down. There is a river crossing which may prove impossible in spate conditions. The key stages of difficulty are: (1) the ascent of Pen above Esk Buttress on the ascent to Scafell Pike, with a moderate scramble on ascent/descent (Scrambling Grade1); (2) The infamous Broad Stand leading from Mickledore to Scafell (Scrambling Grade 3) and (3) The descent of Cam Spout Ridge which is rough and arduous.

Comment: This is a demanding outing to a remote location and much more than just a stiff hill walk. It covers some of the wildest and grandest mountain scenery in Britain including England's two highest mountains. Bon Voyage!