Following several requests from "regular" clients, I have decided to devise a scenic, informative and very varied guided walk in the southern Lake District. There is a LOT crammed into this one and I am really looking forward to leading and sharing my local knowledge with participants around this beautiful and interesting route.
Hawkshead village is a historic and quaint little place with charming buildings, a host of nice shops and pubs and history rooted back in the times of the Vikings. This setting will create contrast with the atmospheric and sometimes eerie woodland trails of Grizedale Forest, a visit to the quintessential photo spot that is Tarn Hows and a short but steep hillside climb up to a modest summit, Black Crag.
​​The overall distance of the route is 15 kilometres, or just over 9 miles, with 400 metres of ascent and the walk is expected to take up to 8 hours at a gentle pace.
This outing does involve some hillside paths, a basic level of fitness is required to take part in this activity.
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Leaving Hawkshead village, will will pass the late-medieval church and a very nice community orchard. Both make for lovely photo opportunities. I intend to entertain and inform the group with lots of informative discussion about local history as well as getting into conservation and nature as we move into Grizedale Forest.
There are a series of well surfaced tracks to follow although it is likely that we will head into the trees for a short while and discover a connection with the peaceful surroundings through our various senses.
While not an indigenous woodland, Grizedale Forest is still a very beautiful place and home to an abundance of different plants and wildlife. If we are quiet and allow the forest to breathe around us, we may well spot and identify a few creatures.
We will pass into some more native broad leaf woodland before making our way to Tarn Hows, a popular spot that was landscaped in the Victorian era for both industrial and recreational purposes.
Here we will head down to Joey's Cafe for refreshments where there are toilet facilities and also an interesting exhibition about the area.
Tarn Hows is indeed very beautiful although can be busy. Following our pit stop, we will do our best to avoid the crowds by making our way along the western shore and heading off up onto higher ground. After a short climb through the forest, we will find ourselves crossing the open hillside to the summit of Black Crag. A modest Wainwright peak with a splendid view around southern Lakeland.
The walk will lead back through some very pleasant countryside in time for participants to enjoy the shops and cafes at Hawkshead.
Thank you very much to Peter Finlay and Catherine Hollin for additional photos of Tarn Hows in summer conditions.
​Important details about this specific activity.
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This route accrues 15km, or just over 9 miles, with 400m ascent.
The outing is expected to take up to 8 hours​.
This activity is designed to be and informative outing with lots of discussion, time to take in the scenery and enjoy a refreshment stop at Joey's Cafe near Tarn Hows - expect a gentle to moderate pace throughout, especially on the ascent and descent of Black Crag.
It is necessary to have a basic level of fitness to take part in this activity.
A lot of the walk will take place on tranquil, well surfaced forest tracks with some occasional boggy sections. There is rugged woodland and moorland terrain around Black Crag with some uneven, loose surfaces.
If an individual is for any reason unsure of their ability, please email moorstomountains@gmail.com to discuss things further before making a booking.
If the walk leader observes a concern with fitness levels of an individual participant,
it may be necessary for that person to return the start of the activity for their own safety, where it is safe to do so.
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Waterproof trail shoes, approach shoes or more sturdy boots are suitable for this activity.
Please refer to the Moors to Mountains Footwear, Clothing and Equipment Requirements.
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Certain breeds of dog are welcome to attend by prior arrangement only.
Children and young people over the age of 14 are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian by prior arrangement.
Please bear in mind that the activity duration is calculated based on average walking speeds over the types of terrain encountered and previous occurrences of this specific route. The activity may be completed in a quicker or longer time than expected based on individual fitness levels within the group.
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It should be mentioned that weather in the Lake District can be unpredictable at all times of the year and so it isn't possible to guarantee excellent views on every walk. It may be necessary for the walk leader to change the itinerary of the route for safety or other reasons, meaning that is is not possible to included certain advertised objectives.
Unless there is a safety concern posed by the weather forecast, activities will go ahead regardless of conditions.
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Please see the Moors to Mountains Terms and Conditions before booking.
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​​Meeting point and transport information.
​The activity meeting point is Poppi Red Cafe in Hawkshead village (LA22 0NT).​​
Participants should meet at the time advertised on the booking page. You will be contacted if there are any changes.
The main Hawkshead Car Park is a short walk from the cafe with cash, card and mobile payment options.
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There are frequent, reliable bus services from Ambleside, Coniston and other neighbouring villages, with good connections to Windermere, Kendal and beyond.
Various accommodation is available in the vicinity of Coniston, Torver, Hawkshead and Ambleside, including camping, hostels, B&B's. It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Please ask me if you need advice on where to stay or transport links.
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What to expect when booking a professionally
guided activity with Colin from Moors to Mountains.
A friendly and supportive group ethic is promoted on all activities.
It is normal for participants to feel anxious or nervous about joining a guided walk for the first time, meeting new people or just stepping out of their usual comfort zone. This is normal. Please try to remember that other people in the group will likely be feeling the same, and I can assure all participants that they will be making new friends and feeling comfortable in the surroundings in no time.
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Knowledge and enthusiasm is shared throughout the activity.
Not only am I here to keep you safe and lead the group, I like to engage all participants in interesting conversation. Whether we are visiting a site with interesting geology and natural features or perhaps somewhere of historic significance, I like to make sure participants go away having learned something new. And as an environmentalist and lover of the outdoors, it is my mission to try and pass on my passion and knowledge to all who sign up to a Moors to Mountains activity.
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Safety, motivation and attentiveness is guaranteed.
All Moors to Mountains activities are designed for smaller parties. The number of participants that is allowed will depend on the terrain of each specific activity. Suitable group sizes allow me to give each individual client the maximum attention throughout an activity, whether this is to answer questions, provide some guidance or physical assistance.
My promise is to deliver a high level of care and individual attentiveness to each member of the group.
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It is not a race, everybody is here to enjoy the activity!
The benefit of booking onto my activities for small groups for many participants is that the reasonable pricing makes joining a qualified, knowledgeable and experienced Mountain Leader to be more affordable. However, participants in each group are likely to be of mixed abilities. All participants will move together as a group and support each other throughout the activity. If you are a very fit and fast hill walker and would like to experience more of a physical challenge, I am available for private bookings that may be more enjoyable for you than my usual group activities that are at a moderate or even gentle pace.
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I am qualified, insured and experienced in the mountains and hills of the UK.
As your guide, I am a qualified and insured Mountain Leader registered with the British Mountaineering Council and Mountain Training Association. I will only ever operate in areas where I have experience of the terrain and local knowledge. I have also volunteered with my community walking group for since 2011, where I have organised and led innumerable walks and expeditions across the whole of northern England, many areas of Scotland and Eryri/Snowdonia in North Wales. I also have a lot of personal experience in walking, wild camping and completing solo expeditions in these areas.
In that time, I have been lucky enough to spend time out on the hills and mountains with many people of different backgrounds and abilities. This experience has enabled me to develop an extensive knowledge of particular outdoor areas, and a penchant for designing routes that are both scenic and interesting. There are often places of historical or geological interest along the way and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the landscape, history, industry, wildlife and geology.
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​Once a place has been booked on any activity.
I will personally contact each participant by email with any relevant information to the specific activity. The booking system will email participants a ticket but there is no need to present this when attending an activity. Participants will be sent thorough information and a Participation Consent Form that should be completed in good time before any activity takes place. This will ask for important medical information, important contact details and also request consent for me to give first aid where necessary, take any photographs (or not) and anything else relevant.
Participants are advised to take out their own travel insurance for any booked activity, accommodation, travel costs and any other expenses involved in attending the booked activity in the event of cancellation or unforeseen personal circumstances preventing attendance.
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Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on the activity.
COLIN - MOORS TO MOUNTAINS.