Description
About The Ullswater Way – A Circuit of Ullswater
Located in the Eastern part of the Lake District National Park, Ullswater is the 2nd largest body of water in the Lake District (the 1st being Lake Windermere). The Ullswater Way was established in 2016 and is a trail around the entire Lake, which runs for 22 miles (35.4km) through countryside, forest, lakeshore and even passing over the summit of a Wainwright (Gowbarrow Fell).
We’ll be doing the 22 mile Ullswater Way route in just a single day, beginning at the far North of the Lake at the village of Pooley Bridge, proceeding clockwise – firstly along part of an old Roman road and down the picturesque Eastern shore of the Lake, through farmland and woodland to the Southern end of the lake at Patterdale. We’ll then proceed through Glenridding heading North past the beautiful and impressive Aira Force waterfalls before climbing up to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell (a Wainwright). We’ll then continue North through forest and countryside along the Ullswater Way route reaching our start/finish point back at Pooley Bridge.
To complete the Ullswater Way in a day is a real accomplishment and something that participants will be (and should be) very proud of. You’ll get to have an unforgettable and fun day out in a beautiful part of the Lake District.
Route Facts – The Ullswater Way in a day
Route Name: The Ullswater Way
Distance: 22 miles (35.4km)
Total Ascent: 4,683ft (1,427m)
Time to Complete: 10-12 hours.
Wainwrights: 1
Start point: Pooley Bridge Village. (OS grid ref NY 46963 24452)
Route Type: Circular
What to Expect / Previous Experience
The Ullswater Way route is a long challenge hike and is a physically demanding day. You should be fit and be able to walk up to 22 miles for 10-12 hours on rough terrain. Because of the mileage that we have to cover on this hike, we may not be able to stop for breaks as often as on other hikes and may have to move at a slightly faster pace than what we would do on a more leisurely hike. Doing some training hikes or some reasonably long hikes (10 miles plus) beforehand is strongly recommended. Please let me/us know if there are any physical or medical conditions beforehand and we will proceed accordingly.
The Ullswater Way is a mixture of grassy paths and rough, rocky terrain and despite being quite a low level route, has over 1,400m of ascent (height gain). There is no scrambling and no scary or exposed drops on this route near the paths.
It is also worth remembering that the weather can also play a big factor in the day with wind, rain and poor visibility (ie. not many views). The temperature can be considerably colder higher up on the hills than it is down in the valley. Despite poor weather we will still have a fab, fun day out.
What You Will Need to Bring
When you book with us, you will be sent a full kit list of what you will need to bring on the day. It is your responsibility to make sure you have these things or you won’t be able to go up the mountain. The weather can turn extremely quickly and it’s important that each member of the group is sufficiently prepared for this, as well as has enough food and water for themselves for the walk.
A typical kit list for a day hike would include:
• A backpack, large enough to fit everything in (around 30 litres ish).
• Lunch (eg sandwiches).
• Snacks to eat along the way for energy.
• Water (2 litres recommended).
• Warm Hat & Gloves.
• Midlayer (eg. Fleece) & a spare.
• Waterproof Jacket.
• Suitable trousers for hiking in the rain (not jeans, joggers or similar).
• Waterproof overtrousers (to wear if needed over your hiking trousers).
• Suitable hiking boots for rough / mountainous terrain (not trainers).
• Warm jacket (in case we stop) – a down jacket or something similar.
• We recommend wearing Merino wool hiking socks for comfort.
• Sun protection (suncream & sunglasses).
• Any medication you may need.
Optional:
• Walking Poles (some people find they help, others don’t).
• Head Torch.
• Camera
Your Mountain Leader / Guide will carry a group First Aid kit, navigational equipment, maps and emergency group shelter.
About Me, Your Guide
Adrian Conchie – Mountain Leader
Extremely passionate about being outdoors, I offer guided walks in the Mountains and hills of the Lake District, Snowdonia, Peak District & Yorkshire Dales, as well as other low level hiking trails. I spend nearly every moment of my spare time either in the mountains, or hiking various trails in the UK. I like to set myself challenges and I am currently climbing all 446 mountains of England & Wales (currently I have done 362). I have also completed several other challenges, like completing all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District, doing the 47 mile Windermere Way in 1 day, the 77 mile Cumbria Way in 2 days, the West Highland Way in 3 days and more!
I believe the outdoors provides an unbeatable way of keeping healthy, both physically & mentally. It is the perfect way to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life and being outdoors amongst nature is personally my ultimate therapy. I love being able to inspire others and to show them the benefits that the Outdoors can bring, which is one of the reasons I became a Mountain Leader.
Will you still go in bad weather?
In most cases, we will still go out and proceed with the route if there is rain, poor visibility and moderate wind. However, the safety of the group is my main priority and as I’m sure you can understand if I/your guide deems the weather conditions to be dangerous, (very strong winds / thunderstorms for example) – then I will make the decision to cancel that particular route and offer an alternative. I always like to have a plan B and in most areas, we can still have a fabulous, fun and memorable day out doing a lower-level route whereby the weather would be less of a concern.
Any Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the Ullswater Way guided walk, or any other route. I’d be happy to help – Click Here to get in touch.
Book Me Privately For The Ullswater Way
(If the hike is for more people than what is offered in the booking form, please contact me first for a quote).
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