How long is the Lake District Grand Loop: Cumbria's Lakes in 7 Days route?

This route takes 6 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Windermere to Windermere in Cumbria, England.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September: book well ahead in July and August.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Culture, Classic road trip, Adventure.

Lake District Grand Loop: Cumbria's Lakes in 7 Days

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The route · 6 stops

3 overnight bases · 2 day trips · 1 stop on the way

Windermere

2 nights

The gateway base combines Windermere town, the rail terminus at the south-eastern end of England's largest lake, with Ambleside three miles north. Take a Windermere lake cruise on day one for an immediate sense of scale, then use day two for the short Rydal Water walk and the Armitt Museum in Ambleside.The gateway base combines Windermere town, the rail terminus at the south-eastern end of England's largest lake, with Ambleside three miles north. Take a Windermere lake cruise on day one for an immediate sense of scale, then use day two for the short Rydal Water walk and the Armitt Museum in Ambleside.

Recommendations

Day trip from Windermere

2
Coniston
A compact village at the foot of the Old Man of Coniston (736 m), with a lake of the same name. The all-day summit walk gives views to the Isle of Man on clear days. The Steam Yacht Gondola (National Trust) cruises Coniston Water past Brantwood, Ruskin's lakeside home. Tarn Hows nearby is one of the most photographed spots in the park.A compact village at the foot of the Old Man of Coniston (736 m), with a lake of the same name. The all-day summit walk gives views to the Isle of Man on clear days. The Steam Yacht Gondola (National Trust) cruises Coniston Water past Brantwood, Ruskin's lakeside home. Tarn Hows nearby is one of the most photographed spots in the park.
Recommendations

On to Wasdale Head

Wasdale Head

1 night

One of England's most remote overnights: Wastwater (England's deepest lake) below Scafell Pike (978 m, the country's highest peak). The hamlet has a single pub, a National Trust campsite and St Olaf's Church, one of England's smallest. Most visitors walk to the lake shore at dusk and attempt Scafell Pike the following morning.One of England's most remote overnights: Wastwater (England's deepest lake) below Scafell Pike (978 m, the country's highest peak). The hamlet has a single pub, a National Trust campsite and St Olaf's Church, one of England's smallest. Most visitors walk to the lake shore at dusk and attempt Scafell Pike the following morning.

Recommendations

On to Keswick

Keswick

2 nights

The park's largest town between Skiddaw and Derwentwater, and the route's best hub for amenity, restaurants and evening entertainment. Two nights allow a full day for the Borrowdale to Buttermere drive via Honister Pass and time to walk Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of Britain's most atmospheric Neolithic sites.The park's largest town between Skiddaw and Derwentwater, and the route's best hub for amenity, restaurants and evening entertainment. Two nights allow a full day for the Borrowdale to Buttermere drive via Honister Pass and time to walk Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of Britain's most atmospheric Neolithic sites.

Recommendations

Day trip from Keswick

5
Grasmere
A village enclosed by fells with the best literary and food heritage on the route. Dove Cottage is Wordsworth's most intimate home, preserved with original furniture. Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop has used the same recipe since 1854. The Helm Crag walk (3 hours round trip) is the best short fell day on the loop.A village enclosed by fells with the best literary and food heritage on the route. Dove Cottage is Wordsworth's most intimate home, preserved with original furniture. Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop has used the same recipe since 1854. The Helm Crag walk (3 hours round trip) is the best short fell day on the loop.

On the way

Windermere
Quick stop
Close the loop at Windermere town after a 15-minute drive south on the A591 from Grasmere. The train station connects to Oxenholme (West Coast Main Line) for London and Manchester, making this a clean end point for fly-drive visitors. A final walk along the Bowness-on-Windermere foreshore is a fitting close to the week.Close the loop at Windermere town after a 15-minute drive south on the A591 from Grasmere. The train station connects to Oxenholme (West Coast Main Line) for London and Manchester, making this a clean end point for fly-drive visitors. A final walk along the Bowness-on-Windermere foreshore is a fitting close to the week.
Recommendations

Lake District Grand Loop: Cumbria's Lakes in 7 Days

The route · 6 stops

Windermere

Coniston

Wasdale Head

Keswick

Grasmere

Windermere

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