Table of Contents

Preface
Overview map

Part 1 - Introduction
The Lake District landscape
About the Tour
When to go
Accommodation
Food and supplies
Transport
Money and costs
What to take
Navigation and outdoor safety
Habitats and wildlife in the Lake District
How to use this guide
Glossary and abbreviations

Part 2 - The Tour
Stage 1 Windermere to Ambleside
Stage 2 Ambleside to Elterwater
Stage 3 Elterwater to Coniston
Stage 4 Coniston to Eskdale
Stage 5 Eskdale to Wasdale
Stage 6 Wasdale to Black Sail
Stage 7 Black Sail to Buttermere
Stage 8 Buttermere to Keswick
Stage 9 Keswick to Rosthwaite
Stage 10 Rosthwaite to Grasmere
Stage 11 Grasmere to Patterdale
Stage 12 Patterdale to Windermere

Part 3 - High-level alternative routes
1 Coniston to Eskdale via the Old Man and Hardknott
2 Eskdale to Wasdale Head via Scafell Pike
3 Wasdale Head to Black Sail or Buttermere via Great Gable
4 Grasmere to Patterdale via Helvellyn
5 Patterdale to Windermere via High Street

Part 4 - Short walks
1 Beatrix Potter's Hill Top and Claife Heights from the Windermere ferry
2 Stock Ghyll, Scandale and High Sweden Bridge from Ambleside
3 Elterwater - A riverside walk between two pubs
4 Lake Coniston and Brantwood
5 Muncaster Fell and Ravenglass from the Eskdale railway
6 Scale force and Crummock from Buttermere village
7 The Borrowdale Yews from Rosthwaite
8 Wordsworth's Grasmere and Rydal via Loughrigg Terrace
9 Howtown and Ullswater from Glenridding

Appendices
Appendix 1 Useful contacts
Appendix 2 Tourist Information Centres
Appendix 3 Transport information
Appendix 4 Selected bibliography

About the Author

Jim Reid is 36 years old and lives on the northern fringe of the Lake District. Educated at Newcastle and Lancaster universities, he has made a living variously and precariously over the last fifteen years as an ecologist, school teacher, youth hostel warden, restauranteur and landscape gardener. When writing, subjects close to his heart are travel, food, nature and hillwalking.

Reviews

'This scenic Tour takes the walker away from the crowds and into some of the best of the Lakeland landscape. I particularly liked the graphs which are with every walk and show you clearly the height and distance you will walk. There is also invaluable information advising you about what to take, when to go, where to go, accommodation etc etc etc. Jim Reid has written a lovely guidebook which is designed to take the sting out of the lengthy and often tedious preparations necessary for walking in the Lakes. His is an inspirational guidebook born of his own love and deep understanding of this beautiful district.' (Keswick Reminder / April 07)'This book describes a circular multi-day tour of the English Lake District. Using mainly low-level routes, it brings the walker through a selection of the busy "classic" areas and many of the quieter corners. There are also high-level options for those seeking a more challenging experience.All stages and day walks are well described and are accompanied by a detailed OS map of the walk. There is very useful information at the start of the guide for planning a trip and lots of colour photos to inspire.'(Irish Mountain Log / Summer 2007)'This new 93 mile tour takes the idea of a typical European mountain trek and adapts it to the Lake District. The author has sub-divided his route into 12 stages, there are 5 high-level alternatives that take the walker over the main peaks and also 9 half-day walks that can be undertaken from points along the route.The author spent two years researching and writing the book whilst he was a warden at one of the Lake District youth hostels.'(Strider / August 2007)'For years I've had every intention of working out a 7-10 day backpacking route in the Lake District, visiting my favourite tops and valleys and staying away from towns and villages as much as possible.Being rather slothful by nature I've often dreamed the route but never put it down on paper. Now, Jim Reid has beat me to it, and I'm grateful to him for that for what he's produced, as someone probably much more familiar with the Lakes than I am, is a wonderfully scenic tour that takes the backpacker away from the crowds and into some of the best of the Lake District hills.The route itself is 93-miles in length and Jim has divided it into 12 sections. That's not a bad walk at all, and I reckon I could fit into a week. Now, when can I go?'(TGO / October 2007)Check out the review on the following website:Cumberland News