The Troutbeck Inn is ideally situated with wonderful panoramic views of Blencathra and is also within easy reach of Helvellyn, Ullswater and Derwentwater.
The Troutbeck Inn is a haven for walkers and lovers of the Lake District. The more adventurous might prefer to experience the views from Sharp Edge on Blencathra or Striding Edge on Helvellyn or sample some of the many outdoor activities available at Rookin House Activity Centre just one mile towards Ullswater.
Why not book an alpaca walk from Base Camp less than 1mile along the A66 from us for a unique experience?
Cumbria & the Lake District is the UK’s favourite destination for walking enthusiasts due to the huge number and variety of walking routes, each with their own unique features. Most famous walks are accessible from Cumbrian towns, and are served by public transport all year round.
Despite its lowly stature compared to its neighbours Haystacks was a favourite of Wainwright’s. So much so that as he requested his ashes were scattered at Innominate Tarn near its summit. Just watch out for that bit of grit that finds its way into your boot! This walk starts near the head of Buttermere, at Gatesgarth Farm. There is a small car park here and there’s often an ice cream van selling refreshments when you come off the hill. It climbs Scarth Gap, described by Wainwright as “one of the pleasantest of foot-passes”, to the col between High Crag on the right and Haystacks to the left. Then taking the zigzag path up the face of Haystacks it climbs to the summit and wanders over uplands beyond. Dropping down to cross Warnscale Beck, to then follow alongside the beck to Warnscale Bottom.
Despite its lowly stature compared to its neighbours Haystacks was a favourite of Wainwright’s. So much so that as he requested his ashes were scattered at Innominate Tarn near its summit. Just watch out for that bit of grit that finds its way into your boot! This walk starts near the head of Buttermere, at Gatesgarth Farm. There is a small car park here and there’s often an ice cream van selling refreshments when you come off the hill. It climbs Scarth Gap, described by Wainwright as “one of the pleasantest of foot-passes”, to the col between High Crag on the right and Haystacks to the left. Then taking the zigzag path up the face of Haystacks it climbs to the summit and wanders over uplands beyond. Dropping down to cross Warnscale Beck, to then follow alongside the beck to Warnscale Bottom.
This is an exciting walk along Striding Edge, probably the most popular ridge walk in Britain, to Helvellyn the third highest mountain in England at 950m above sea level. This is by far the most exciting way to the summit of this popular mountain. The route starts at the village of Glenridding by Ullswater. It is a horseshoe walk that circulates Red Tarn and ascends via Striding Edge then descends via Swirral Edge, an equally exciting hands on route. On the ascent you can bag Birkhouse Moor which gives great views over Ullswater and on the descent it is well worth the short diversion to the top of the conical shaped Catstye Cam for equally impressive views. Striding Edge is an exposed knife edge ridge that requires a head for heights and exposure. Saying that, however, it does have in most places an easier alternative side path for anyone struggling. There is an awkward short scramble down a chimney at the end of Striding Edge but even this has an alternative side path. Swirral Edge is also a hands on scramble at times but doesn’t have an easier alternative. This is a very serious mountain adventure at any time of the year and especially during winter months. Always carry the right gear and know how to use it. The first time I did this walk I loved it so much I went back the next day and did the route in reverse!
A gentle warm up through the woods above Thirlmere Reservoir before climbing into the mountains means we avoid much of the bustle and scrambling on Striding and Swirrel Edges. Still a serious mountain walk, it is not especially difficult or arduous.
Although there are many options, we will start from the pay and display car park at Swirls near the north end of the Helvellyn ridge. You may decide to park at Wythburn Church car park, or at the top of the pass at Dunmail Raise. They are all good start points.
This walk takes you to the top of the following hills: Nethermost Pike, High Crag (Grisedale), Helvellyn – Lower Man, Helvellyn, and Dollywaggon Pike; and includes 3 Wainwrights, 1 Furth, 4 Nuttalls, 5 Birketts, 1 Marilyn, 2 Hewitts, and 1 County Top.
To the north east of Scafell Pike lies Seathwaite, a small hamlet comprising of a few farm buildings and a camp site. Deep in Borrowdale, south of Keswick, it may seem an unlikely starting point for a Western Lakes fell. Yet it is popular, not just with those on a National 3 Peaks charity challenge but those who seek a fabled path called the Corridor Route. This runs southwards from the pass of Sty Head to Lingmell Col under the northern slopes of the Pike. In days gone by it was called the Guides Route from when a gentleman of wealth in the Victorian era would invariably pay a local person to guide him to the highest point of England. It was a grand route then, and still is today. Easier perhaps with the laying of stone pitched paths but the way is still unmarked, as it should be, save for the passage of feet and an occasional cairn.
Our walk follows the classic route from Seathwaite, over the packhorse Stockley Bridge, to ascend above Taylorgill Force which you can only see on the approach down in the valley. Following Styhead Gill, Styhead Tarn is quickly revealed, and the pass between Borrowdale to the north and Wasdale in the south climbed. A sneaky guide’s short-cut over the saddle joins on to the start of the Corridor Route. You then meander in a gently rising traverse across the slopes and combes of the north west face of Great End and Broad Crag to arrive at Lingmell Col. From here you join the caravan of trekkers coming up from Wasdale on the final section of the path, which is loose and steep, to the summit of Scafell Pike. You return the same way.
There is plenty of parking along the Seathwaite roadside, however, it does get very busy at holiday times, and weekends especially in the summer. Also the Honister Rambler bus passes the end of the road down to Seathwaite.
As we’re located on National Cycling Route 71 it’s easy to cycle to Keswick, Penrith or further afield from The Troutbeck Inn. If cycling from The Troutbeck Inn why not cycle to Greystoke and visit the Greystoke Cycle Café. Below are some suggestions for places to take your bikes to or to hire a bike from.
Sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, extreme sports – the Lake District is a great place for watersports enthusiasts.
The Lake District is a haven for climbers, offering every type and level of climbing activity imaginable, from intense rock climbing to gentle scrambling and everything in between.
Keswick lies 9 miles to the West and Penrith 9 miles to the East. Ullswater is 5 miles due South and has the villages of Pooley Bridge and Glenridding on its shores. The lake steamers run a ferry service on the lake giving you easy access to many other beautiful parts of the lake, or simply take a fantastic Ullswater panoramic trip.
The Borrowdale valley is one of the most idyllic places on earth. It runs for some ten miles from the high fells, with 977m Scafell Pike the highest summit, down to the shores of Derwentwater.
Ullswater, England’s most beautiful lake. Located in the Lake District National park in Cumbria Ullswater provides the ideal destination for holiday makers. It is England’s second largest lake and sits amidst the splendour of some of the finest fells in Lakeland. It is also the setting for William Wordsworth’s famous “Daffodils” poem.
Grasmere is probably the Cumbria’s most popular village, thanks to William Wordsworth (1770-1850). Today Grasmere is totally given over to the tourist industry, with plenty of gift shops, places to stay and places to eat. Most of the buildings date from the 19th or early 20th Century, though the farms around Grasmere are much older. The Church dates from the 13th Century.
Rydal is a small village strung along the main road between Grasmere and Ambleside. The nearby lake – Rydal Water, was a favourite with William Wordsworth, who would often have picnics here. The lake lies between Nab Scar and Loughrigg Fell.
Windermere lake, at 10.5 miles long, one mile wide and 220 feet deep, is the largest natural lake in both the Lake District and in England, and is fed by numerous rivers.
The long thin lake itself forms the central spine of the Windermere lake area of the Lake District. This area is also known as the South Lakes.
