There are many walks to enjoy and participate in across the Lake District, but where to begin? Guided walks are a fantastic way to join in walks in different-sized groups led by knowledgeable leaders. We have rounded up a selection of guided walks in the Lake District for you.
Guided walks are an excellent way to explore the Lake District with expert guidance and without needing good navigation skills. We have often enjoyed them as solo travellers to gain confidence, meet new people, and make friends. They are also a fantastic way to appreciate and learn more about the area. We have rounded up a selection of guided walks in the Lake District for you to consider participating in.
1. Ambleside Adventure
Great for solo trips, meeting people, and making new friends in Ambleside, Lake District.
Whether you want to improve your skills in the mountains or have fun with friends and family, guided walks are a great way to see the beautiful mountains Cumbria offers. You will feel safe and learn a lot along the way. From scrambling across the Striding Edge on Helvellyn to simply taking your first steps up the Fairfield Horseshoe, Ambleside Adventure offers guided walks suitable for all abilities. All of the guided walks are graded from easy to hard. Afterwards, you could visit their in-house Climbing and Bouldering Wall or rest in Café Altitude, serving homemade food and great coffee with panoramic views over Ambleside and the surrounding area.
Ambleside Adventure guided walks in the Lake District, further information
The Lake District Guided Walks cost £50 per person (£40 for half-day walks), and they require a minimum of 3 people (for smaller groups, a supplement can apply) to guarantee a Lake District Guided Walk can operate. Alternatively, they can arrange private walks. All walks run throughout the summer months from Easter to September.
2. Large Outdoors
Great for tailored walks, large groups, and taking on significant challenges in the Lake District and beyond.
Large Outdoors offer day walks, guided mountain treks and sociable weekends away. They can help you get the most out of your time in the Lake District. You can hire a guide from them, create tailored trips, and take on significant challenges like Scafell Pike.
Hire a guide from Large Outdoors
All you need is the group, and you can hire a guide from Large Outdoors. For example, you may want to complete a challenge with friends, colleagues, or a charity. Hiring a guide ensures safety and support and keeps you all smiling!
Whether you need your guide to navigate so you don’t have to or provide on-hand expertise and local knowledge for a solo expedition, they can provide professional guiding service for various guided walks and challenges.
This option gives you peace of mind. Large Outdoors holds comprehensive public liability insurance, carries out thorough risk assessments, and always uses experienced, first-aid-certified guides with suitable qualifications where needed.
3. Green Man Survival, The Woodland Wanderer
Great for families, a family-friendly guided walk and bushcraft adventure in the Lake District.
Green Man Survival offers a half-day guided woodland walk that is family-friendly. A bonus is that you will learn some bushcraft essentials on the way. This is a great way to enjoy nature, have quality family time, and learn about bushcraft.
They are located toward the southern end of Windermere Lake, a beautiful location away from the crowds of the more well-known walking routes. As they guide you through woodland, you will have the opportunity to learn about tracking, plant identification, local history and wildlife observation.
There are plenty of stops along the way. You will even stop for a cuppa and get hands-on, gathering tinder and kindling to create fire the old-fashioned way, sparking birch bark with sparks. Ready for your marshmallows to toast! Then, head back out on the rest of your guided walk. This half-day experience runs from 10:00 to approximately 13:00 and is offered on a private booking basis for you and your group.
4. Lakeland Mountain Guides
Great private guided scrambling, walking and Winter walking in the Lake District and beyond. Ideal for solo walkers and groups.
Lakeland Mountain Guides are well known in the area; their Mountain guides lead you up the hills and mountains of the UK. They offer fun, safe and very educational days for solo walkers or groups.
Their leaders are qualified, first aid trained, insured, knowledgeable, and have vast experience in the activities they lead. You can book guided walks with them in the summer (April-November).
However, they also offer Winter walks. Just check their website for prices during Winter compared to Summer. They also can create bespoke guided walks for you. Get in touch with them to discuss your options further.
Private guided scrambling
Would you like to try scrambling Striding Edge onto Helvellyn? You can do this with Lakeland Mountain Guides and hire one of their leaders. Due to the nature of scrambling and to ensure appropriate safety cover for all those on the experience, they operate one instructor per six people.
5. West Lakes Adventure
Great for skills training, groups, and individuals. They offer guided walks and other exciting activities in Eskdale Valley, Lake District.
Located in the Eskdale Valley, Western Lake District, West Lakes Adventure provides guided walks for all abilities and exciting activities. It has venues in and around Eskdale, Wasdale, and the Lake District.
Their guided walks are bespoke and exclusively tailored to the needs of the individuals taking part. They provide a safe and fun experience you will not forget! Their guides can also teach you to scramble; they will coach you in some of the Lake District’s most inspirational scenery.
If you aim to learn, your instructor will coach you safely and efficiently through all aspects of scrambling safely and efficiently.
Skills training
If you would like to learn new skills while in the mountains, Their instructors can help you build your skill levels and confidence by coaching you in aspects of mountaineering.
Examples of skills covered:
- Navigation using map and compass.
- Navigation using GPS.
- Poor weather and night navigation.
- Movement and route finding on steep ground.
- Mountain safety and emergency procedures.
- Emergency rope work.
What should I wear and bring with me?
This depends on the time of year, weather, type of guided walk you participate in, and the chosen provider. It’s a good idea to wear layers to add or remove as needed. Remember, on mountain climbs, the weather will always be different at the top, so prepare for that accordingly. Pack a warm jumper and waterproof, even if you walk in the summer. Suitable sturdy footwear is always essential. If you are using an activity company, check with them what they provide, as some will provide refreshments and equipment.
Are guided walks dog-friendly?
Some of the above providers allow well-behaved dogs on their walks, but please let them know if you wish to take a dog. They can manage these arrangements for groups if you want to avoid being on a walk with dogs.
Hopefully, this article has helped you find information for guided walks in the Lake District. Finally, let us know if you have taken part in a guided walk with a provider in the Lake District! We would love to see how you got on and which walking route you chose to do. Please feel free to comment below with feedback and experiences so we can add new providers to our choice.
