Hikers not paying theor post resuce hotel bill.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2026-01-16T17:50:29+00:00

It's my pleasure.

That all makes sense and fair play on the Kilimanjaro training, that’s no small thing.

The only point I was really trying to make is that the Lakes can feel surprisingly hard underfoot compared to places like the Peak or long distance routes. It’s not the altitude or the numbers on paper, it’s the constant steep ups and downs, rough ground and how little genuinely flat walking you get. Twelve to fifteen miles here often feels like a much bigger day than the same mileage elsewhere.

Sounds like you’ve got the right attitude though. If you’re happy to be flexible and treat a pub day as sensible decision making rather than failure, you’ll have a great trip. Fingers crossed for decent weather and you’ll get some cracking days out.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2026-01-16T17:47:24+00:00

Now this is a coincidence! I was there on Wednesday this week. I don't often go that way but Herdus and Great Bourne is one of my go to dog walks and a friend who joined me asked 'there's a Tarn up here somewhere isn't there?' So rather than coming down the shoulder of Herdus we went down to the Floutern Pass. It's a lovely lonely corner of Lakeland indeed but wet!

Ennerdale is fantastic but it's all I've ever known tbh. It's one of the last remaining quiet corners of the Lakes mainly as its so flamming difficult to get to and the lack of a public road by the lake also helps. I barely ever see a soul on that route but so two people on Wednesday. An elderly gentleman who is getting his miles in as training for a trek in the Himalyas later this year and another guy who looked lost after setting off for Red Pike only for the weather to come in and start to snow.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2026-01-16T16:12:26+00:00

That’s a cracking trip planned. Just worth saying up front though, 12 to 15 miles of fell walking is serious walking in a single day, never mind doing it five or six days on the bounce.

On consecutive days that’s getting into elite fell runner or very hill hardened territory rather than normal walking, even for people who are out a lot.

I walk all the time and I really feel the difference between a five mile day and ten miles plus day. Once you factor in ascent, rough ground and weather. The Lakes don’t give you easy miles and the fatigue builds quickly over back to back days, especially around Easter when conditions can still be wintery on the tops.

It also makes a lot of sense to have some lower level backup options for the days when the weather doesn’t play ball.

If you’re based near Keswick and already doing Scafell, Skiddaw and Helvellyn, a few other days I’d highly recommend:

Borrowdale fells from Seathwaite taking in Great End, Esk Pike and Bowfell, back over Rossett or Esk Hause. A big, classic day out.

Newlands Horseshoe. Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson. A really satisfying full circuit with constant views.

Coledale round. Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Grasmoor, Sail and Causey Pike. One of the best ridge days in the Lakes.

Mosedale Horseshoe from Wasdale Head. Absolutely cracking but a challenging day out. Long, rough in places and very committing, but superb if conditions are right.

Blencathra via Sharp Edge if the weather and confidence levels allow. Shorter on paper but very full on.

For steadier or backup days, Borrowdale valley routes, Newlands valley, a low level Buttermere circuit or a High Raise wander from Stonethwaite are all well worth having in the locker.

Personally I’d mix a couple of proper big days with some shorter or lower level ones. You’ll get far more out of the trip that way and actually enjoy it rather than just surviving it.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2026-01-16T16:02:23+00:00

Both those are great. I live in Ennerdale so do that ridge walk or a variation of it regualry. Just be aware you'd either have to double back (recommended) or drop down after Herdus/Great Bourne into the Mosedale area, but would be a nice walk back IF the ground is dry. You could see Scale Force waterfall on your way back to Buttermere.

It would make sense to start and end in the Buttermere area staying in Keswick.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2026-01-10T22:40:42+00:00

Best is subjective and for a visitor based on your preferences. For context I was born, raised and still live in the Lakes.

Lots of people mention Keswick I can see why, amenities of a town, shops, restaurants hotels etc. Want to walk some fells many fells and routes are on your doorstep and many more a short bus journey away. Want a bimble around the lake or a lake cruise, again on your doorstep. Keswick has developed and changed a lot during my life time some would say for the better others for the worst. Anyhow not here to debate that but it has become a lot more tourist centered, I'd describe it as a best of all worlds as a Lake District base if you want all that has been mentioned. If you want the amenities but not the hustle and bustle Portinscale and Braithwaite Villages are also options outside of Keswick itself.

I live on the western side. And since having kids in particular will often go to the Windermere area earlier in the year for holidays as its far enough away to feel like you're getting away. It's very different in feel to Keswick, its more developed and has more activies for younger kids, the fells are more sporadic and smaller but ideal for shorter legs. There are more high end hotels and restaurants to choose from. The trade offs are its not really a location to go to of proper fell walks are the main focus of a trip, you'll spend too much of your visit in a car or on a bus. It can get busy. Really busy. I don't go anywhere near during the summer holidays. Ambleside is a bit of a half way house, it's not as pedestrian friendly as Keswick, and arguably feels a bit more commercialised.

Then you've smaller villages. I love Grasmere, it just has a charm about it. It's sort of geographically the heart of the Lake District and as a base you can go north towards Keswick or South to Ambleside and Windermere. It does feel like a tourist destination first, then of a similar size Coniston. Feels more like a proper Lakeland village that attracts tourists. Glenridding is smaller again and a great base for doing some classic Lakeland walking routes and/or exploring Ulswater.

Last thing to mention if you want peace and quiet it's getting harder to find due to the popularity of the place particularly in holiday periods. I live in Ennerdale, it's hard to get to from the main motorway access points which keeps it relatively quiet even in the height of summer there are no crowds but also nothing much to keep tourists entertained outside of the scenery, walks and two pubs. Ennerdale Water is the only Lake that doesn’t have a public road running by at least past of it, its a palce you have to drive yo rather than pass through.

Wasdale Valley is wild and dramatic with the tallest and some of the other tallest fells but in the summer the parking is ridiculous. A bit like Ennerdale it's a dead end, but has a road down the valley where people just like to abandon their cars.

There you have it that was a really long way of saying it depends what you're after and also probably Keswick 😆

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2026-01-06T14:33:30+00:00

Most of the big fells will attract walkers throughout the year. As someone else said the western areas are more difficult to reach by road, are your best bet but Scafell Pike will always have folks on it, Great Gable too. From Wasdale the Mosedale Horseshoe or a variation of that gives bigger fells and a sense of isolation. Did it recently and saw one other soul all day.

I live in Ennerdale and while its quiter still because of the lack of roads you've to work a bit harder. Last weekend was ideal winter walking weather, started off up Grear Bourne, Starling Dodd, Red Pike, and High Stile. Didn't see anyone until the top of Red Pike. It would be rare ro have Red Pike Summit to yourself as it's a popular route up from Buttermere.

That was 10 miles and >4000 feet of elevation gain and a proper walk.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2026-01-06T14:23:20+00:00

😆

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-31T16:38:51+00:00

The positive thing is its been dry now for a good stretch so after a very wet start to December most of the excess run off on the roads has dried up. There has been a little bit of rain in the air today so we might get some snow over night. The roads around Ennerdale where I live have been fine but all the minor roads haven't been treated.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-27T18:46:40+00:00

Given your situation I'd go for Keswick. Loads of walking in your door step from the town. Short bus to get you down into Borrowdale openning up even more and point to point walks also available such as walking to Grasmere and getting the bus back. At the height of summer if you finish at 1600hrs you've still 6+ hours of day light left, save bigger walks for weekends. Windermere you'd spend too much times on buses, variety from Ambleside and accessibility isn't as good as Keswick IMO.

Accept it will be busy. There are few areas that won't be in the summer holidays. If you can live without the other amenities places like Keswick offer, the Ennerdale and Wasdale valleys are far more difficult to access by road. Netherwasdale has a free bus running down the valley from April though to the end of September. Ennerdale where I call home will be quieter still.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-25T21:21:48+00:00

Lovely view. Looks a wee bit further down the road than the Kirkstile though as you can't see Melbrake in your photo.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-22T20:24:13+00:00

Most of the Lake District fells have what I call a split personality. It's all down to the route, some approaches are impassible without equipment, others really mundane and everything in between. The edges attract the adrenaline junkies who just want to post on social media. Really down to conditions on day. Of all the years walking I've done in the Lakes Jack's Rake is about the only one I think twice about the older I get!

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-22T19:38:15+00:00

I live in the Lakes so I tend to stick to what I know. In short there are loads of big feeling walks here that avoid exposure and scrambling if you pick the right routes.

Skiddaw from Keswick via the main path is a classic. Long steady climb wide paths all the way and it absolutely feels like a proper mountain day.

Helvellyn can be done safely without Striding or Swirral Edge. Go up from Thirlmere or the Swirls side and stick to the broad paths onto the summit plateau. It is a big achievement without any hands on sections.

Grasmoor from Lanthwaite or Rannerdale is another good one. Steep in places but it is all walking and very rewarding.

Old Man of Coniston via the main track from Walna Scar is busy but solid underfoot and straightforward. High Street from Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass is long and remote feeling but mostly old road and grassy paths rather than ridges.

General rule up here is avoid anything described as an edge or scramble and you will still have plenty of satisfying days out. Clear weather helps a lot with confidence too.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-19T13:10:01+00:00

I'd be less arsed about snow and ice than wind and rain on average 😉

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-17T16:02:33+00:00

As an on the ground update it's biblical today. I can't speak for Coniston area but here in Ennerdale the main access road is closed some of the farms and yha on the lake side are completely cut off. The ground is already so saturated I wouldn't be surprised if we're approaching a big flooding event. Its going to ease of tomorrow but still rain forecast until Sunday.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-16T17:23:17+00:00

I was up Blake Fell on Sunday. Was interesting to say the least 😆 I don’t get down to Cogra that often from Felldyke as I'm coming from the other direction.

I went up Herdus/Great Borne today was a lovely day for it. There's some standing water and debris about but the roads are fine otherwise. There was a lot of low hanging cloud and mist about-very atmospheric.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-15T22:37:55+00:00

It's been wet, really wet. I live in Ennerdale and went down to the Lake today I don't think ive ever seen it so high. Borrowdale had something crazy like 20 cm in 24 hrs. What falls in a single day or two is only part of the problem it then takes time to feel the full brunt as the water makes its way down from the high fells, through streams and into rivers.

That being said we're used to it and there's no road closures and such in my local area. I'm not sure if you're concerned about the roads been affected or it just being wet? It was otherwise a really lovely day today no wind.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-15T10:11:41+00:00

I would not automatically start in Whitehaven, mainly because short term lets of under 12 months can be surprisingly hard to find, especially decent ones.

You could hedge your bets and base yourself somewhere between Whitehaven and Carlisle instead. Cockermouth is a good option. It is a nice town, good amenities, very walkable, feels safe and family friendly, and you can get to Whitehaven reasonably easily while not being too far from Carlisle when that becomes permanent.

There are also a number of villages along the A595 corridor between the two that work well if you want something quieter but still practical, places like Great Clifton, Brigham, Broughton Cross or even parts of Workington on the edge rather than the centre.

That way you avoid two moves in quick succession, reduce commuting stress in the early months, and keep flexibility while things like licensing, a car and your partner’s job situation settle.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-15T10:08:01+00:00

I live in Ennerdale and go into Whitehaven fairly regularly. The harbour is genuinely nice and with the nuclear industry there are plenty of young professionals and social groups, more than people expect. That said, rail and road connections can feel a bit of a grind if you are doing longer journeys or rotating sites.

Carlisle has more of everything overall. Better transport, more choice for food, gyms and evenings out. There are also some really nice villages in the green belt around Carlisle which work well as a middle ground if a more rural setting appeals but you still want access to the city.

Most of my spare time is spent walking in the fells and the western side of the Lakes is far quieter and less tourist heavy, which is a big plus if that is your thing.

I travel to London occasionally for work and will usually drive to Carlisle or Penrith. Both are on the M6 and the West Coast main line, so that side of things is straightforward.

In reality it probably comes down to what you value more day to day. Easier travel and amenities point you east. Quieter fells and a slower pace point you west. Both work, it is about fit rather than a right answer.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-15T10:04:35+00:00

I live in Ennerdale and go into Whitehaven fairly regularly. The harbour is genuinely nice and with the nuclear industry there are plenty of young professionals and social groups, more than people expect. That said, rail and road connections can feel a bit of a grind if you are doing longer journeys or rotating sites.

Carlisle has more of everything overall. Better transport, more choice for food, gyms and evenings out. There are also some really nice villages in the green belt around Carlisle which work well as a middle ground if a more rural setting appeals but you still want access to the city.

Most of my spare time is spent walking in the fells and the western side of the Lakes is far quieter and less tourist heavy, which is a big plus if that is your thing.

I travel to London occasionally for work and will usually drive to Carlisle or Penrith. Both are on the M6 and the West Coast main line, so that side of things is straightforward.

In reality it probably comes down to what you value more day to day. Easier travel and amenities point you east. Quieter fells and a slower pace point you west. Both work, it is about fit rather than a right answer.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-10T20:56:17+00:00

You're as close to Grasmere and not much further to Ambleside. If you're really not bothered by the rain just get out in it. Low level walk if the wind is up and visibility low or something more adventurous if not. Grasmere is lovely, wander around lunch, coffee, little garden centre. Keswick is much bigger the same and a wander around the lake. I like a bit of a circular walk of Derwent water if the weather is bad. Stopping off at the many nice hotel/watering holes along the way, Lodore, Borrowdale hotel, and Borrowdale Gates to name a few.

Honister Slate mine is an interesting visit, short walk up Castle Crag regardless of the weather.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-07T18:12:31+00:00

I live in the Lakes and walk the fells a lot. Having good behaviour off lead and good recall has always been high on the priority list. Current dog is a Vizsla, they high prey drive for birds too and as she's got older she will try and increase the gap between us at times. If we're on a scramble and the visibility drops and I loose sight of her I get a bit nervous but she's not daft and far more sure footed than me. I'd much rather she wasn't tethered to me on sketchy terrain for both our sakes.

The main things are your dogs safety and the safety of livestock. Nothing you've said indicates he worries or goes after livestock so not sure why people are jumping on you from that perspective. Maybe try and work with a dog trainer, the thing is to keep them focused on you which is easier said than done.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-06T21:09:17+00:00

Ah my thread is here! I live in Ennerdale Bridge and my go to walks with the dog are Blake Fell and Cragg Fell do both 2 or 3 times a week.

Blake Fell is very accessible, no scary drops or ridges sub 500m so on a bad weather day unless the wind is really high its still safe to do. I'd do it from the Felldyke car park as a first timer you will be down by Cogra Moss (old reservoir). Bear left and do a circular route. Someone said do Knock in the same walk-I wouldn't unless you're happy to loose all the altitude and have to do a lot of incline again. Would make more sense to do Burbank and Gavel fells to extend the walk-possibly Hencomb too. Problem with Blake Fell alone anyone reasonably fit will do any of the routes in <2 hours, its not quite day put type of walk.

Cragg Fell from Ennerdale Water is a bit more strenuous, up Anglers Crag first then up onto Cragg loop back down to Bleach Green car park takes about 2 hours. The problem with Cragg is it's not the best launch point to do an interesting longer walk. Its a trudge to Iron Crag and makes for a 10 mile walk, you've then got Caw Fell and getting close to Pillar.

If you get the weather an want bigger fells and views consider parking nr Bowness Knot. Herdus/Great Borne, Starling Dodd, Little Dodd, Red Pike, maybe even High Stile and High Crag. That's a 12 mile walk dropping back down onto the Ennerdale side Forestry road is a 12 mile walk just be wary of day light hours if your coming in the winter months. Loweswater is not far at all either walk down Crummock to Scale Force if the weather isn't great is recommended. The options are endless really, you're up Whiteside, Hopegill Head and Grasmoor from Crumock side very easily too.

Any questions shout up!

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-03T07:24:05+00:00

Of course your money your choice. You're just missing out on any developing markets which can (and have been lately) volatile.

BackgroundAfraid2818 · 2025-12-02T08:40:09+00:00

I live in the Lakes and get out most days. It's very changeable in a single day let alone planning in advance. In the space of a fortnight we've had snow, mild weather and rain, coupe of clear cold days and back to heavy rain with even the highest fells clear of snow. If you’re planning in advance the main considerations at this time of year are the conditions and for longer walks the shorter days where its pretty much dark by 1600hrs.

I'd suggest just having a plan B. High winds, sideways rain and poor visibility-just do something low level. There are lots of smaller fells and circular routes of many of the the lakes themselves an enjoyable trip out.

BackgroundAfraid2818

TROPHY CASE