If you would like the details of your Lakeland Way adventure on the list below then please provide your name(s), dates, where you are from, and a brief description of your walk including any recommendations, tips or changes you came across along the route. This information will be of great benefit to those planning the walk in the future.
Name(s): Julie Gardner
Dates: Sat 14th June – Sun 27th Aug 2025
Region and Country: Cumbria, England
This account by Julie Gardner shows how flexible the Lakeland Way can be when combined with public transport — an excellent example of how to tailor the route to suit personal circumstances.
“I started the walk on Saturday 14/06/25, but because I live in Kendal, I do long-distance trails in the Lakes a bit differently. I’m retired, so I can choose the days I go out, and I use public transport.
I completed the walk on Sunday 17/08/25, taking advantage of the fantastic weather we had the previous week, which allowed me to go out for six days on the trot. Public transport was used throughout, and there are so many approaches and adaptations to this route.
I can’t speak highly enough of this trail, which offers a greater insight into the past history of this national park before it became the “pleasure ground” that it is today. Westmorland/Lancashire and Cumberland were exploited, and the valley routes provided access and safe passage to places of work and burials, and kept isolated communities in touch. They were working counties, and by following and completing the Lakeland Way, you are walking back through history and seeing the park for what it used to be. That is unique — and what sets this trail apart from other routes available.
The Lakeland Way is accessible to anyone with a good and reasonable level of fitness. All will depend on how you wish to walk the route and the time available. I will walk the Way again because it links valleys and areas rarely visited that I want to know more about.
Depending on when you visit, be prepared to meet only a handful of people a day — or perhaps none. Most people head for the dizzy heights.
Note that dogs are not allowed in YHAs — a must-have accessory nowadays!
The Stagecoach summer bus timetable is usually valid from the end of March to the end of October, but this can vary each year by a week or so.
Kendal is the main overnight depot for Stagecoach buses; therefore, the first and last buses to Ullswater and Coniston originate from Kendal. Check timetables carefully.
My itinerary follows:
Day 1 – Patterdale to Ambleside
Lovely day, so I continued to Ambleside.
Overnight: Home via the 555 bus from Ambleside to Kendal. Returned using the same bus.
Notes: If you do Patterdale to Troutbeck, you could stay at Windermere YHA (slightly off route), or continue to Ambleside for the YHA and other accommodation options.
Day 2 – Ambleside to Coniston
Overnight: Home via the 505 bus to Ambleside and the 555 bus to Kendal. Returned using the same buses.
Notes: Coniston YHA and other accommodation available.
Day 3 – Coniston to Eskdale
Overnight: Bivvied the night.
Notes: Eskdale YHA is a slight diversion, and other accommodation is available in the valley.
Day 4 – Eskdale to Ravenglass
CHECK THE TIDE TABLES BEFORE YOU DO ANY PLANNING FOR THIS JOURNEY. I had to approach via Muncaster Castle due to tides — my fault.
Overnight: Home via train and the X6 bus to Kendal.
Day 5 – Ravenglass to Wasdale Head
Transport: The X6 bus from Kendal to Barrow, then a train to Ravenglass.
Overnight: Bivvied at Wasdale Head.
Notes: Accommodation and campsite available at Wasdale Head. If you arrive early, you could hitch to Wasdale YHA. At weekends and in summer, the Wasdale bus runs to/from Ravenglass train station and may stop at the YHA.
Day 6 – Wasdale Head to Rosthwaite
Overnight: Home via the 78 bus to Keswick and then the 555 bus to Kendal. Returned using the same buses.
Notes: Borrowdale YHA (en route), or take the 77A, 77C, or 78 bus into Keswick for Keswick YHA and many other options.
Day 7 – Rosthwaite to Crummock Water
Overnight: Bivvied on the shores of Crummock Water.
Notes: Buttermere YHA, hotel, and campsite available in Buttermere (en route). The 77A and 77C buses (summer timetable) go to Rosthwaite and Keswick — both have YHAs.
Day 8 – Crummock Water to Keswick
Overnight: Home via the 555 bus to Kendal. Returned using the same bus.
Notes: Keswick YHA and many other overnight choices available.
Day 9 – Keswick to Ullswater
Overnight: Dockray was a bit out on a limb, so I continued walking down to Ullswater for the 508 bus to Windermere, followed by the 555 bus to Kendal. Returned using the same buses.
Notes: If you finish at Aira Force, take the 508 bus to Glenridding and the Helvellyn YHA. Return to the finish point the following day by the same bus and retrace your steps to rejoin the route from Aira Force.
Day 10 – Ullswater to Patterdale
Overnight: Home via the 508 bus to Windermere and the 555 bus to Kendal. Returned using the same buses.
Notes: You could walk back to Helvellyn YHA or catch the 508 bus.
My whole trip revolved around, and was determined by, the timings of public transport. Bear in mind that Stagecoach operates separate summer and winter timetables, which will affect Buttermere and Patterdale buses. The Wasdale bus is seasonal.
YHA accommodation needs careful planning, since many hostels close over winter; however, alternative accommodation is usually available.
Tide tables need considering whenever you start — or be prepared for a diversion.”
— Julie Gardner
Name(s): Chris Weldon
Dates: Sun 18th May – Sat 24th May 2025
Region and Country: Tyne and Wear, England
“I backpacked the 144 miles of the Lakeland Way over seven days, starting in Keswick and doing the route anticlockwise. I wild-camped the six nights. I struck lucky with the weather apart from the second night on Illgill Head, when I had a thunderstorm pass close by, hailstones and driving rain for about an hour, and then the sixth night and seventh day when the rain and wind came in, in true Lakeland style to chase me off the hill! I carried everything I needed and resupplied once in Ambleside. I Averaged 20 miles each day over the following legs:
Day 1 – Keswick to Innominate Tarn
Day 2 – Innominate Tarn to Illgill Head
Day 3 – Illgill Head to Stords Hill (Devoke Water)
Day 4 – Stords Hill to Blind Tarn
Day 5 – Blind Tarn to Wansfell Pike
Day 6 – Wansfell Pike to Brown Hills
Day 7 – Brown Hills to Keswick
My favourite section of the route was Day 3 along the Esk Trail into Ravenglass, followed closely by Day 5 through the Coniston hills to Wansfell Pike.”
Name(s): Simon & Rachel Hastelow
Dates: Mon 12th – Fri 23rd May 2025
Region and Country: Essex, England
“We found the Lakeland Way Route shortly after completing the Coast-to-Coast in 2024, and almost immediately started planning it. As regular visitors to the Lakes we thought we knew what to expect, but we still had a few surprises. We chose the 12-day itinerary, booking B&Bs and baggage transfer to move our luggage each day. This is not a cheap option, but as this is our main holiday we thought we could use a bit of ‘luxury’ after a day on the fells. The standard of accommodation was varied, and each night cost between £100 and £165. (The cost did not reflect what was on offer, the most expensive night was also probably the most disappointing place we stayed! And the cheapest was one of the best, so do your research).
The route itself was fantastic, taking us places and along trails that we would never have found ourselves. The longer 12-day itinerary allowed us to vary the route on a couple of days, to take in extra Wainwrights, but also explore the area more and enjoy a relaxed pace. Our favourite day was probably Day 7: Patterdale to Troutbeck. The weather was perfect, cooler than previous days, but the views from High Street were breathtaking. The biggest surprise for us? We did not have one single drop of rain throughout the whole trip. Some days were unbearably hot and humid with little breeze. So the new waterproof gear we bought for the hike remains unused – Until we return!”
Name(s): Richard Jennings
Dates: Tue 1st April – Wed 9th April 2025
Region and Country: Cumbria, England
“I backpacked the Lakeland Way over nine days, which included five wild camps, two campsites and one bothy. Even though it was gusty for most of the nights I was really lucky with the weather, and I didn’t have one drop of rain for the whole trip. I had no support and relied on camping food, eating in pubs and cafes, and restocking at the towns of Keswick and Ambleside.
Day 1 – Ravenglass to Sprinkling Crags – 19.5 miles
Day 2 – Sprinkling Crags to Dubs Hut – 15 miles
Day 3 – Dubs Hut to Braithwaite CCC – 17 miles
Day 4 – Braithwaite CCC to Gowbarrow Park – 20 miles
Day 5 – Gowbarrow Park to The Knott – 15.5 miles
Day 6 – The Knott to Rydal Hall – 15.5 miles
Day 7 – Rydal Hall to Kennel Crag – 14.5 miles
Day 8 – Kennel Crag to Hardknott Fort – 14 miles
Day 9 – Hardknott Fort to Ravenglass – 17 miles
Total – 148 miles
The wild camp on Kennel Crag, followed by the walk from the Coppermines Valley to Hardknott Fort, where I pitched for the night, was my favourite section of the whole trip. Both nights were fantastic and very still. The hardest day by far was the first day. Overall I was very happy with my itinerary, and spending a few hours in a pub or café in the valley bottoms each day, to eat, rest and charge the batteries, is highly recommended.”
Name(s): Chris Weldon
Dates: Mon 9th Sep – Tue 17th Sep 2024
Region and Country: Tyne and Wear, England
“I walked the Lakeland Way solo over eight and a half days. I used campsites on two of the days and wild-camped the rest. I carried all my gear with me and resupplied once in Grasmere. The weather was a complete mixed bag from torrential wind, driven rain, to glorious hide in the shade sunshine. I started and finished in Keswick as it’s logistically easier for me to get to and from. The route is very adaptable and not fixed, and while I followed it all the way round, I planned my own daily finish points.
Day 1 – Keswick to Brownhills
Day 2 – Brownhills to Thornthwaite Crag
Day 3 – Thornthwaite Crag to Grasmere YHA
Day 4 – Grasmere YHA to Blind Tarn
Day 5 – Blind Tarn to Green Crag
Day 6 – Green Crag to Ravenglass CCC
Day 7 – Ravenglass CCC to Styhead Tarn
Day 8 – Styhead Tarn to Blackbeck Tarn
Day 9 – Blackbeck Tarn to Keswick
My favourite day was my Day 4, which included some outstanding views over Coniston, closely followed by Day 9, walking along Buttermere and Crummock Water before ascending up Gasgale Gill to Colelale Hause.”
Name(s): Jaclyn Jennings
Dates: Mon 22nd July – Fri 2nd Aug 2024
Region and Country: Cumbria, England
“I walked the Lakeland Way solo over 12 days. The weather generally was very warm, with a mixture of cloud and sunny spells with a very wet morning on day six, between Brown Hills and the valley of Glenridding. I found the GPX files from the website really easy to follow, and I didn’t go astray at all. My husband fully supported me even down to pitching the tent and sorting out the meals etc. I did three wild camps and eight base camps; my husband stayed with me on my first wild camp on Brown Hills, but I did the next two on my own. My six year old daughter stayed with me on three base camps. My absolute favourite campsite was Turner Hall Farm, as it was nice and quiet in a wonderful setting.
The Newfield Inn at Seathwaite is an absolute gem. Their meals are lovely and I really like the atmosphere. The staff were friendly and chatty with excellent customer service. My favourite section was from Seathwaite to Boot on day 11. This included the highlight of my whole experience, the forest tracks between Wallowbarrow Crag and Hardknott Pass. Walking from valley to valley over multiple days was a totally new experience for me, which I found very rewarding. As a whole, I found the old tracks between the valleys fairly quiet. It was a great solo experience, but I would like to walk it again with my family.”
Name(s): Sharon Howarth, Stevie Howe
Dates: Wed 19th June – Sun 30th June 2024
Region and Country: County Durham, England
“The Lakeland Way was the first long-distance, multi-day walk I’ve attempted unguided, and in the UK, and I was delighted to be accompanied by my daughter. The walk was a fantastic way to see the Lake District in all of its glory, and knowing that a lot of the tracks were old trading routes gave a stark view of how tough life must have been for those not lucky enough to explore them for pleasure. I thought the length was perfect, and although each day had plenty of challenges, we also had time to rest and recuperate to enable us to set off each day refreshed. Still in its infancy the walk doesn’t have its own waymarkers, but I found it very easy to follow by downloading the GPX files on to OS and making each day’s map available offline (I also carried paper versions and a compass but fortunately didn’t need to put my map reading skills to the test).
I loved that the walk was, in many parts, very quiet, giving us whole valleys to ourselves. The main highlight for me though, was getting to the top of some of the mountain passes to see a whole new vista appear before us – for that reason one of my favourite days was Day 4, which started with a picturesque walk along Crummock Water followed by an adventurous and challenging climb up Gasgale Gill, after which we were rewarded with an impressive view down the next valley towards Braithwaite. For the vast majority of our trip we stayed in B&Bs, Hotels etc, and whilst we liked everywhere we stayed by far our most favourite was Crookabeck B&B in Patterdale. Sharon”
Name(s): Richard Jennings
Dates: Sat 2nd Sep – Wed 13th Sep 2023
Region and Country: Cumbria, England
“Walked the whole route over 12 days. Mixture of base (8) and wild camping (3). Carried all my gear and used parcel service at Keswick and Ambleside. Glorious weather. Reached 30°C most days. Torrential rain on Day 9 between Elterwater and Coniston. Had blisters early on due to the heat and carrying a heavy pack. Highlight was camping on Dow Bank above Chapel Stile, but it’s difficult to choose which section was my favourite due to each being so varied with beautiful scenery. I wouldn’t recommend starting the LW on a Saturday like I did, because Wasdale Head gets really busy with three-peakers. It was a fantastic experience. I would like to experience this walk in early spring, and wild camp the whole route over ten days totally unsupported; no planning, or booking posh meals, and just pick a good weather window at short notice, and go for it!”
Name(s): John Falcus
Dates: Sat 22nd July – Sat 29th July 2023
Region and Country: Northumberland, England
“I walked the whole route over 8 days. I used campsites on four of the days and wild camped 2 nights, and the luxury of a B&B for one night at Seathwaite. I carried all of my gear throughout my journey. I was unfortunate to have rain at some point everyday, ranging from heavy showers to torrential downpours, hence the reason for one night taking the opportunity of a B&B and a chance to dry out all of my stuff. It is very difficult to pick out one highlight of the walk as despite the weather everyday brought a new one. But if I had to it would be the walk from Buttermere and the subsequent climb up Gasgale Gill and down into Braithwaite.”