North Lakes Short Break
Circle through Keswick, Buttermere and Rosthwaite on a self-guided walking holiday in Cumbria. Accommodation, luggage transfer and custom holiday pack included
North Lakes Short Break
https://www.contours.co.uk/north-lakes-short-break
.jpg)
A collection of circular walking holidays visiting the lakes and mountains of the Lake District National Park.
From £360 per person
Book your self-guided walking holiday in the Lake District. This UNESCO World Heritage site is England's only true mountain region and contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It provides an enchanting mix of rugged mountains, deep valleys, shimmering lakes, powerful waterfalls and attractive stone-built villages.
Our selection of circular walking trails in the Lake District National Park provide an enticing mixture of scenery, terrain and challenge. Whether you are looking for fabulous views, picturesque settlements, fascinating history or literary inspiration, each of these walks offers something different, and are ideal for an active but tranquil retreat into the Great British countryside.
Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.
From £540 per person
The North Lakes Short Break is a scenic walk based on the route taken by tourists in the 19th century, where they travelled via horse-drawn carriage through beautiful Borrowdale and Buttermere via the Honister Pass, before returning to Keswick through the stunning Newlands Valley.
This trail encounters such wonderful attractions as the shores of Derwentwater, the remote beauty of Watendlath Tarn, Lakeland’s highest waterfall near Crummock Water, and amazing views of the surrounding mountain landscape. There is also a selection of charming towns and villages to explore along the way, each boasting its own unique character and interesting history.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSB | A circular trail beginning at Keswick | 3 days walking | £540 |
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLSB1 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 3 days walking | £505 | |
| SLSB2 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 4 days walking | £630 | |
| SLSB3 | A circular trail beginning at Windermere | 6 days walking | £880 |
Please note that due to the popularity of the Lake District as a holiday destination, accommodations in some towns have a two night minimum booking policy at weekends.
When planning your holiday dates we would advise to avoid arriving in Keswick on a Friday or Saturday night if possible. If you are unable to avoid arriving on a Friday or Saturday night an additional supplement may be necessary, or alternatively, transfers to and from nearby accommodation may be provided. Any transfers required are included in the holiday cost. You will be contacted if an additional supplement should arise for your booking.
Travel to Keswick where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Keswick to Rosthwaite. 9.5 miles (15.5km) / 1650 ft (503 m) ascent
Rosthwaite to Buttermere. 8 miles (13km) / 1900 ft (579 m) ascent
Buttermere to Keswick. 10 miles (16km) / 1772 ft (540 m) ascent
Depart from Keswick after breakfast
This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.
Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
.jpg)
Admiring the dramatic mountain scenery of Borrowdale from its many spectacular viewpoints.
Visiting Scale Force Waterfall near Crummock Water, the highest waterfall in the Lake District.
Spotting elusive red squirrels amongst the beautiful woodlands of the Newlands Valley.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
.jpg)
.jpg)
“It was an excellent introduction to the area (neither of us had been before). Great walking, just challenging enough!”Mrs Hansen, UK
“Contours' choice of accommodation was spot on. Already have another short break planned in September.”Mrs Fairclough, UK
“A combination of good organisation and good weather = perfect!”Mr Sanders, France
“The walking itinerary was very well planned. Ben's advice on which walk to do calibrated very well with the preferences I told him. The accommodations were well chosen and of high quality. Have already been recommending the holiday to others.”Mr Griffiths, UK
“The area we walked in was stunning and even though the weather was challenging we had a good time.”Mr Mawdsley, UK
“On two of the three days, we had clear blue skies with unbelievable heat. It was the best weather (apart from the intensity of the heat) that we have ever experienced in the Lake District! We already have next year's walk booked.”Dr Maltby, UK
“Absolutely beautiful country to explore.”Mrs Chapman, Australia
“Great walks in a lovely part of the Lake District.”Mr Linathan, UK
Dog friendly