I was lucky enough to get some ‘me’ time a few weeks back. I’m not the kind of person who enjoys spa breaks; instead I indulged in my pre-kids hobby and booked a short walking holiday based in Elterwater in the Lake District.
This was the fourth time I’ve walked with Country Adventures so when I finally arrived at Elterwater Hostel (thanks M6) I already knew the leader, Joe, and some of the others in the group, many of whom are regulars.
That evening Joe outlined the walking routes for the next day. Our walks were based in and around the Langdale Valley, and as there were several leaders we had a choice of a challenging walk or a more moderate option. As I was walking without kids, I was happy to go for the slightly harder route up Harrison Stickle. I cannot remember the exact distance but I think it was around 9 miles long with 3000 ft of ascent in total.
Day 1 – Harrison Stickle
I’d been checking the weather forecast religiously the previous week and was prepared for rain. Not just any rain, but torrential rain and wind; this being the Lake District after all. Instead we were greeted with a cold sunny day and not a cloud in the sky. A perfect day for walking.
Our day started with a short minibus ride to Dungeon Ghyll car park. Packs on, we headed off in the opposite direction from most walkers who all seemed to be walking straight up to Stickle Tarn. Instead our route took us on a gradual ascent up between Harrison Stickle and Pike of Stickle.
Higher up we started to encounter snow. It was still in the light and fluffy stage. Lovely for walking in except when it gets down the back of your boots and melts inside them! Despite this I was still walking with just a fleece jacket; hard to believe it was the middle of winter.
We seemed to reach the summit pretty quickly. The views from the top of Harrison Stickle were stupendous. Looking back at these photos I am reminded how perfect the day was. Our guide helpfully named the peaks around us although I promptly forgot them all. Instead I was happy to just stand and take in the panorama.
I could have sat on the summit cairn all day but lunch called. We first had to negotiate a rather icy downhill stretch which I didn’t particularly like. It was a relief to get out of the shade and back into the sun. We skirted around Stickle Tarn; my camera once again working overtime.
As we walked away from Harrison Stickle it was hard not to turn round and check the view every couple of minutes (top photo in collage above). The peak and it’s shady descent are imprinted on my mind for ever more.
Despite having reached the summit the bulk of the mileage was still ahead of us. We walked back to Elterwater across the fells, passing by Blea Cragg and Lang How. The best views were behind but we were still treated to a glorious winter walk, arriving back into Elterwater just as the tea shop was shutting (boo!).
That evening we ate at the hostel and enjoyed one of Joe’s quizzes. Some of the questions had made a repeat appearance from previous years, time for some new ones Joe!
Day 2 – Lingmoor Fell
There was just one walk on the second day but it came with an option to shorten it. We were walking from the hostel, on the southern side of the Langdale valley, up and over Lingmoor Fell.
The views were never going to surpass those of the previous day but it was impressive to see the fog cloaking Windermere below us as we emerged from the woods. I wonder if those in Windermere knew we had such great weather?
Standing atop of Lingmoor Fell gave us another view of the Langdale Pikes. The weather wasn’t quite as agreeable as the previous day so we didn’t hang around on top for too long. Once again we were faced with an icy descent which involved some detours over bracken; at least this made for a soft landing when the inevitable happened!
Lots of walkers appeared as we hit the road and tourist hotspot of Blea Tarn. After stopping for the obligatory photo of the Langdale Pikes (above) we followed the well made track back past Little Langdale and into Elterwater. Once again arriving home as the tea shop shut.
No quizzes on day 2. Instead a game of film and TV Pictionary. Some of the drawings had us in stitches, I haven’t laughed so hard in ages.
Day 3
I’d have loved to walk on the last day. But with another M6 journey to contend with I decided it was best to head off early. First though a browse around the outdoor shops in Ambleside and, at last, a visit to an open tea shop!
Hi Christine, absolutely stunning photographs and I can’t blame you for putting the camera into overdrive; I’d have done the same!
I have never been to the Lake District and it’s such a shame because it seems to look stunning all year round.
It must have been so nice for you to get away and have that precious ‘me’ time in such a beautiful environment….I’m actually a little envious!
Thanks Debbie. I do miss the family when I’m away but the walking was great. If you’re ever back in the UK do visit the Lakes!
I have envy! I always love walking, hiking and the view in this trip is just the most stunning! #pocolo
Thanks Merlinda. The views were incredible, we were so lucky with the weather.
What great ‘you’ time. Such beautiful photographs and the walks look amazing. I went to the Lake District in my early teens – years ago! I would love to go back one day. Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Thanks Vicky. Long way to drive but definitely worth it!
This looks incredible – who needs skiing when you can get this combination of snow and sun?? I expect I wouldn’t have liked the slippery descent either, but the rest of it sounds uplifting. Glad you had such a glorious time.
Thanks Nell. I’ve only tried skiing once and I wasn’t a natural. I think I prefer my feet in walking boots.
Oh wow! What stunning photographs & scenery! Looks like a lovely place to be x
Thanks Kim. It was a very special day.
Beautiful photos. I visited the Lake District a lot when I was younger, it is truly a stunning place. I would love to visit again now to fully appreciate it. Looks like a fab short break, I would really enjoy a walking holiday I think!
Thank you. We took the kids there for a holiday a couple of years ago and can recommend for a family holiday. Lots of walks of all distances plus many other outdoor activities.
Wow, what amazing views! I’ve never been one for sitting around on holidays either – much better to take in the scenery. 🙂
I get bored very easily, couldn’t handle a week sitting on a beach.
what stunning scenery and perfect me time. I’d love to do something like this one day when the kids are off my hands
Thanks Fiona. Your kids are probably old enough that they’d be up and back down the mountains in the time it took us to walk up!
Oh my, I think that is about as much of my idea of a perfect me time break as it is possible to get. Love the Lakes!
Great pictures! Fabulous views!
Thank you. It is great to get away for a few days.
I love walking the Lakes, but haven’t had the nerve to try in the middle of winter. Thanks so much for this gorgeous post telling me what I’ve been missing!
Thanks Barb. I’d hesitate to walk on my own in the Lakes during winter so going with a group suits me well. I don’t have to worry about my rubbish navigation!
Such beautiful scenery and sounds like you had a couple of enjoyable walks – those views from Harrison Stickle are absolutely stunning 🙂
Thanks Louise. It was probably the best view I’ve seen in years.
Those views are beautiful! It’s been a long time since I had a good day of hiking – I need to get someplace with a bit less snow.
Thanks Jess. I’m rather relieved that we’ve had so little snow in the UK. I don’t mind it the first day, but get fed up after then.
Wow, what stunning photos. It looks like you had a great time on the walk – I bet it was very peaceful and a great time to get some head space. I find that with walking. I’ve never been to the Lake District, but it’s on my radar now!
Thanks Ting. If you get the weather it’s incredibly beautiful. I have been on quite a few wet and cloudy breaks there too….
Hi Christine, I’m not too familiar with this part of UK and it’s wonderful to get a glimpse of the wild side of it. It sounds like an exhilirating hike and a wonderful “me” time. Soft powdery snow falling surely made it more fun. Your snowy summit photo on Harrison Stickle looks magical. Linking through #SundayTraveler
Wow what amazing pictures and it looks like a great walk. I can just imagine how fresh that air is, and lovely to warm up afterwards I expect 🙂
Stevie x
What a beautiful area! I can’t imagine going down a steep hill in ice though. Couldn’t have been too much fun.
It was a relief to get off the icy bit!