Private Dates: May – October
What to expect
Cornwall
In Cornwall we will discover landscapes where the sea turns turquoise in the sun, the sand is white and the natural light is sometimes blindingly bright, the land is adorned with a legacy of Bronze age standing stones. Huge granite burial chambers, Celtic crosses and holy wells. We will walk trough beautiful flower fields along the South Western Coast Path and might spot some seals on the way.
Lake District
Walking on the Fells in the Lake District National Park is something every walker should experience. 500 million years of geological processes have produced a tightly packed landscape of sparkling waters and superb rugged peaks of dramatic beauty. Within an area only 30 miles across, England’s highest mountains tower over its deepest and longest lakes, with picturesque stone-built villages, farms and country inns crowding into the valleys.
Highlights
- Discover the Cornish coast walks
- Reach the highest fells in the North
- Sleep in an old castle and luxury Hotels
- Cruise on an old steamboatLuggage transport – Hike only with a daypack
Hiking Itinerary
Day 1: Mullion Cove
Transfer from Newquay Airport to Mullion Cove Hotel
You will stay at the magnificently sited Mullion Cove Hotel for the next two nights. The hotel is situated on the Lizard Peninsula in South Cornwall. The hotel stands on the cliff top overlooking the harbour and fishing cove with uninterrupted sea views.
There will be time for a short walk before dinner.
Dinner be at hotel.
Day 2: Kynance Cove and Lizard Point
Today we’ll take our first long hike along the Cornish coast, directly from the hotel on the South West Coast Path. We’ll visit the dramatic Kynance Cove and Lizard Point, before proceeding to the pretty village of Cadgwith for a welcome pint!
10 miles, 2000 feet of ascent and descent.
Dinner at hotel.
The very westerly point of England
Day 3: St Michael’s Mount and Land’s End
Today we’ll start very early to fit in a visit to iconic St Michael’s Mount and its 17th Century Castle, with access by its cobbled tidal causeway. If the tide is high, transfer is by small boat.
After that we can transfer to the little village of Porthcurno and hike along the South West Coast Path to Land’s End admiring the views from the most westerly point of the English mainland.
6 miles, 2000 feet of ascent and descent.
Dinner at Hotel
Day 4: St.Ives
Today you will hike from Lelant to Zennor. Again we follow the South West Coast Path through wonderful coastal scenery through areas of wild orchids, with views down to rocky inlets where the seals will be resting. An option today is to finish the walk in St.Ives to allow more time to shop and sightsee there. Otherwise the hike finishes in Zennor.
Using the train, allows the choice of length of stay in St.Ives and the journey takes just 10 minutes.
Leland to Zennor, 11 miles, 2700 feet in ascent and descent
Lelant to St.Ives, 3,5 miles
Lake District discovery
Day 5: Transfer to the Lake District & The Swan Hotel
Today you will transfer by private minibus to Newquay airport and again transfer to the Lake District by private minibus from Manchester airport.
Depending on flight times, we should have time for a little hike up Hampsfell and a visit to the picture postcard village of Cartmel, famous for its races, sticky toffee pudding and its priory, before reaching our hotel, The Swan at Newby Bridge.
Dinner will be at the Hotel
Day 6: Scafell Pike, the highest point in England
Today, we’ll attempt an iconic British hike, to the top of England’s highest fell, Sca Fell Pike. The hike starts in Brotherilked, we go up past the waterfalls of Scale Gill and the River Esk, to magnificent Great Moss. From there we make a final ascent of Sca Fell Pike via Micklesore, and then descend steeply down the path by Lingmell Gill enjoying views over Wastwater. A short hop by minibus brings us to the Wastwater Hotel with its famous hikers bar. A long, but very rewarding day.
8 miles, 3100 feet in ascent and descent on rocky and uneven Lakeland paths with some steep sections.
Dinner will be at the hotel.
To the northern Lake District area
Day 7: Rydal Water and Grasmere
Today’s we’ll enjoy a shorter hike as we transfer to the North Lake District. Starting in Rydal Water on the coffin route, we’ll ascend little Loughrigg Fell high above pretty Rydal Water. We’ll then descend to Loughrigg Terrace where the bluebells will greet us before crossing over to White Moss and Wordsworth’s house. It is possible to have a guided tour of Wordsworth’s house, a fascinating insight into 18th century domestic life, as well as the great poet.
Grasmere village itself is a picture postcard of pretty slate houses, shops and pubs.
4 miles, 1300 feet in ascent and descent
Your hotel tonight is Armathwaite Hall and Spa, where you will have dinner.
Day 8: The Newlands Round, Keswick and Derwentwater
Today we will drive into the heart of the Newlands Valley to Little Town, the starting poing of one of the Lake District’s most famous hikes, The Newlands Round. First we will ascend the spectacular wide ridge of Hindscarth to reach Dale Head and one of the best views in the Lake District over Buttermere and Crummock Water. From here we will descend over Maiden Moor down to beautiful Derwentwater and the jetty at Brandlehow. You will then catch the Victorian steam launch across the lake to the market town of Keswick, where there are plenty of shops and cafes, before catching your private minibus home, via the ancient stone circle of Castle Rigg.
9 miles, 2900 feet in ascent, 2400 feet in ascent, on rocky and uneven Lakeland paths. Some steep sections.
Your dinner tonight will be at Armathwaite Hall.
A cruise and a train ride back to London
Day 9: Ullswater and transfer to London
Today you will transfer to Pooley Bridge to catch another Victorian steamer and enjoy a trip down the deepest lake in England, Ullswater. You will enjoy a gentle walk along the shores to the pub in Patterdale. There a private minbus will transfer you to Penrith station for your First Class train journey back to London.
5.7 miles, 1100 feet in ascent and descent.
Prices
- 3857.00€ / hiker, with a group of 5 hikers
- 3450.00€ / hiker with a group of 8 hikers
Excluded: Flights, London hotels, Meals other than those stated, lunches, drinks
