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Lake District Hiking Tours

Lake District

Highlights
  • Hike in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter through the Lake District in Northern England
  • Explore dramatic mountain passes with vistas over shimmering lakes
  • The charming village of Grasmere, once home to William Wordsworth
  • Relax in cozy and welcoming Lakeland country inns for jam and scones and pints of ale
  • Discover the pretty market town of Keswick, on the shores of glistening Derwent Water
  • The rugged peak of Skiddaw which dominates the skyline

Hiking in the Lake District in the North-West of England allows you to experience exhilarating mountain peaks, peaceful valleys, and of course, pristine lakes. It is a land which has inspired poets, writers and artists for centuries including the famed William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Breathtaking landscapes and pretty villages scattered with traditional inns make it one of the UK's finest regions for excellent trails and one which every keen hiker should experience.

We’ve organized thousands of self-guided hiking tours in the Lake District and along the Coast to Coast which starts here. We know the Lake District personally with many staff having hiked or being based in the area!

Enjoy the Lake District as part of a longer trail like the Coast to Coast, or focus on the region itself with an itinerary such as the Lake District Trail. We also have a collection of easier grade tours in the Lake District, if you prefer your walking to be of a gentler pace whilst still ticking off some amazing views! The Lake District is a favorite of many of the team at Macs, and we look forward to helping you plan your adventure!

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Discover Lake District

  • Lake District FAQs

    Q: When is the best time to walk in the Lake District?

    A: Spring is a personal favorite of the Macs team as the nicest time of year to walk in the Lake District. The weather is usually fairly mild (although it is the Lake District so you should always bring your waterproofs!), the flowers are in bloom and lambs dot the fields and pastures. 

    Q: Do I need to be able to navigate?

    A: Many of the trails are signposted in the Lake District and booking with Macs Adventure you can download our app, which has the routes already loaded, so that we no longer need to use paper and can do our bit for the planet. However as the weather can be rather unpredictable in the Lake District fells we do recommend that you have had some experience in navigating in order to get full enjoyment from these trips.

    Q: What are the paths like?

    A: You will find a variety of terrain in the Lake District including rocky, mountainous terrain, some boggy sections and lakeside and woodland paths. Most days will involve a couple of steep ascents and descents.

    Q: Will there be places to eat on the walks?

    A: Depending on the walk, you may pass a small village with a cafe or tempting tearoom. There are other days where the walk will take you into the fells where there are no facilities and on those days you will be able to pick up a packed lunch from your accommodation or the village shop. Our detailed route notes will advise you of the days where this is the case.

    Q: How fit do I need to be?

    A: All of our Lake District tours are graded moderate and above and pass through hilly terrain, so you will enjoy the walks more if you have a relative level of fitness. However, on the Lake District Trail  and Lake District in Comfort tours you will stay for 2 nights in each place so you can always take it easy on the second day if you would prefer not to walk! 

    Lake District FAQs
  • Top Tips for the Lake District
    • Pack smart: Waterproofs, layers, and sturdy boots are must-haves.
    • Enjoy local treats: Don’t miss Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread or a sugar boost from Kendal Mint Cake.
    • Take to the water: Relax with a boat ride on Windermere or Ullswater for a new perspective of the lakes.
    Top Tips for the Lake District
  • Lights, Camera, Action in the Lake District!

    It's not just the team here at Macs Adventure who think the Lake District is a pretty inspiring place to be! Quite a few film-makers think that's the case too and have decided to film their movies here. Look closely whilst you are out walking and you may recognize scenes from the following;

    Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning part 1 - Tom Cruise paraglides down to Buttermere. 

    Star Wars VII The Force Awakens - this blockbuster movie used the breath-taking Derwentwater in some of it's dramatic battle scenes to create the planet of Takodana and Skiddaw peak can be seen clearly in the background. The leading star of the movie, Rey, says when she arrives in the Lake District (or Takodana!) "I didn’t know there was so much green in the whole galaxy” - a sentiment you may also feel whilst walking in the Lake District!

    Peter Rabbit - The famous children's writer Beatrix Potter is almost synonymous with the Lake District. She owned several properties and farms in the Lake District, bred Herdwick Sheep and was a passionate supporter of the National Trust. Her most successful story, Peter Rabbit was first published in 1901 and in 2018 it was turned into a film starring James Corden and Margot Robbie. Just like the books, the filming locations for this were all around Ambleside and Windermere

    Tommy -  Filming for this 1970's cult classic took place in the Borrowdale Valley, and also near Wainwright's favorite, Haystacks. 

    Miss Potter - Yew Tree Farm in Coniston was the star of the show in this 2006 film about the life of Beatrix Potter starring Renée Zellweger. Once owned by Beatrix Potter, it is the scene of her home Hill Top in the film. 

    Lights, Camera, Action in the Lake District!
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