Ullswater Way 1 or 2 day: August 23rd-24th
Regular price
£0.00
£75.00
"The most beautiful and rewarding walk in Lakeland"
- Alfred Wainwright
Join us for this long bank holiday weekend in the beautiful Lake District, as we trek the entire Ullswater Way. You can choose to tackle it over two days or pack it into one and find another adventure for the following day.
The National Park’s most popular lowland walk. This beautiful lakeside trail features magnificent waterfalls and woodlands, stunning hills all around, along with some interesting artwork and heritage to discover along the way (read about the Heritage Trail below).
Starting at Pooley Bridge, this route proves that the only way to explore this amazing landscape is by foot, with stunning views all the way, as it skirts 22 miles and ascends 1000m over 2 days, around one of the finest lakes in the UK. Before he died, Alfred Wainwright described sections of the Ullswater Way as “the most beautiful and rewarding walk in Lakeland”.
We only regret opportunities we don't take
Agenda:
Saturday: Ullswater Way North Shore
- 9:00am: arrive Pooley Bridge (several car parks)
- 9:15am: Meet outside The Crown Pub, CA10 2NP
- 9:30am: Catch Ullswater Steamer to Glenridding (£15)
- 10:45am: Walk Starts from Glenridding back to Pooley Bridge (approx 11miles)
- Duration 5hrs+ walking plus stops
Sunday: Ullswater Way South Shore
- 9:00am: arrive Glenridding (main car park)
- 9:15am: Meet Ullswater Info Centre, Glenridding, CA11 0PA
- 9:30am: Catch Ullswater Steamer to Pooley Bridge (£15)
- 10:45am: Walk Starts from Pooley Bridge back to Glenridding (approx 11miles)
- Duration 5+hrs walking plus stops
- 4:30pm: Expected Finish
IMPORTANT INFO:
- A WHATSAPP group will be created to share info and photos on the day. In signing up to the event you are agreeing to be added to this group, which will contain other participants. This is necessary so that details can be shared in the run up to the event, including last minute changes, reminders or cancellations.
- Charity involvement: many of our walks are being run in partnership with charities. As such, sign up information is shared with the charity involved for the purpose of running the event and communicating its purpose, which is to help raise awareness and funds for the charity. By signing up, you are agreeing to receive information from Get Outdoors and the charity.
- Booking Terms & Conditions (Including cancellation policy): are found here. PLEASE READ BEFORE MAKING A BOOKING.
- Kit: Packed lunches, walking boots, multiple layers and waterproofs (including trousers!) are essential. The weather could be very cold and wet. Please visit our recommended kit list.
- While on the walk: we ask you to remain with the group and following instructions from Get Outdoors leader(s), who have the final decision in all instances.
- Parking Charges: may apply. Good idea to bring cash/change.
- Problems: on the day call Chris: 07885157903
- Dogs: are welcome on the walks, but are entirely the owner's responsibility, must have a lead and be under close control at all times. Please check your accommodation's policy.
- Livestock: If encountered do not walk too close or get between a cow and calf. If threatened, let go of your dog so it can escape and reduce the risk to yourself.
- Public rights of way: please keep to them and respect the landowner’s property at all times.
- Stiles: are often present on the route to negotiate on this type of walk.
- Countryside walking: can often include hills and uneven terrain. Our group ethos is to support everyone in group to achieve their maximum potential in terms of completing the route. As such, we endeavour to walk at a pace all participants are comfortable with. We apologise if this causes any frustration to fitter walkers.
- Health: please consult your doctor if you are at all worried about your fitness and ability to take part. Please inform the walk leaders, Get Outdoors, of any underlying health conditions that may affect your walking ability before signing.
Health & Safety Application Form:
If you have not already (or if circumstances have changed), please complete the participant health & safety form at this link, so we know how best to look after you.
Selecting Accommodation
Accommodation is available to book in shared houses with other members of the group and can be booked by selecting from the drop down menu near the top of this page.
You can book walks without any accommodation; book walks with your own single occupancy room; book walks with a room that you share with a partner friend or another member of the group. Booking a shared room relies on another person also making exactly the same booking in order that you have a roommate. Please let us know if you do have a particular person you would like to share with.
As the houses are reserved for the duration of our stay, it is unlikely we can accommodate anyone wanting to pay for a shorter period (might be worth checking with us by email/message). However, if you would prefer, please feel free to book your own accommodation and join us for the walks you would like to by selecting each one and adding them to your cart from the the drop-down menu.
The accommodation is self-catered, so no breakfast or other meals are included. However we hope everyone will join the group for dinner on at least one evening.
Kit List:
Please review the Kit List below to help you decide what you need for your adventure. The walk will go ahead even in strong wind/rain and only cancelled if conditions become what we consider too dangerous. Therefore, it is essential to be properly equipped! Tried and tested clothing only - don't want to find out something rubs once you've started the challenge and it's too late to change!
- Rucksack - min 25 litres with cover.
- Walking boots; broken in; NO trainers
- Double layer walking socks.
- Waterproof jacket & trousers.
- Base layer top – breathable.
- Warm fleece and spare fleece.
- Walking trousers - NO jeans!
- Multiple thin tops allowing temperature changes.
- Post-challenge clothes.
- 3 litres of fluid per peak.
- Basic First Aid kit & Sun cream.
- Warm gloves, hat/balaclava.
- Head torch with spare batteries.
- Whistle for sounding the alarm.
- Toiletries, towel.
- Mobile phone & waterproof case
- FULL LIST HERE
Fitness:
We have lots of other walks coming up that are great for training. They also provide an opportunity to ask questions about your upcoming challenge and meet other members of the team. So please browse our website www.getoutdoorsuk.org and come join us soon! We're adding new dates all the time. Taking part in build up events is also a great excuse to push your fundraising page if you are supporting a charity and update supporters about your challenge journey via social media, etc.
If you aren't able to join us for a walk, then great places to train with decent inclines include: The Lake District with 214 Wainwrights; Snowdonia; The Dark Peak District with Mam Tor, the Great Ridge and Kinder Scout; the Brecon Beacons & Black Mountains with Pen y Fan and Sugar Loaf Mountains. There's also the Malvern Hills, Chiltern Hills and Cotswolds, which have lots of hilly walks. There may be other hilly area near you.
The level of training needed depends totally on where you're starting from. Completion is dependent on a mixture of fitness, stamina and determination.
As a rough guide we recommend vigorous exercise at least 3 times per week for as long as possible prior to the event. Walk briskly on the hilliest routes you can find, such that you are regularly out of breath. Improve your stamina by including a long weekly walk, building up to 15 miles or more. Improve your cardio by walking your shorter walks as fast as you can.
Jogging uphill is a really good way to replicate the cardiovascular strain needed for ascents.
Strength and condition exercise, such as weight training or Pilates are beneficial for working on your leg power and core strength.
Finally and most importantly, make sure you take it easy during the last week running up to the event. It takes more than 7 days for muscles to recover, rebuild and benefit from any exercise you do. All top athletes do it - 'Tapering off' is your opportunity to exercise lightly and make sure you do not arrive with a build up of lactic acid in your legs that WILL slow you down during the challenge.
Booking form with terms and conditions
The Ullswater Way Heritage Trail
The Heritage Trail consists of 12 heritage-themed installations along the 4 main sections of the Ullswater Way. Each installation celebrates an aspect of the valley’s heritage. Each is created by a local artist and designed to be in harmony with the natural surroundings. While on the trail, it's a fun activity to try and find all 12 of these points of interest:
The Heritage Trail Installations:
1. Artists' Seat: Celebrates 3 artists who were inspired by the valley - Ann Macbeth, John Glover and JMW Turner.
2. Birkett Memorial: Remembering Lord Norman Birkett who helped save Ullswater from becoming a reservoir.
3. Clarkson Memorial: Celebrating the role of Thomas Clarkson in the anti-slavery movement.
4. Dorothy Gate: Celebrates the writing of Dorothy Wordsworth and her influence on the poetry of her brother.
5. Herdwick Stones: Sheep and shepherding are at the heart of life in the valley.
6. Patterdale Parish War Memorial: Remembering those from the Parish who gave their lives in the two world wars.
7. Poetry Stones: 3 stones engraved with lines from the poetry of Kathleen Raine, who lived in Martindale in the 1940s.
8. Pooley Bridge Fish Monument: Reminds us that Pooley Bridge was once a thriving fishing village.
9. Roman Seat: Marks the spot where two Roman roads crossed.
10. treefold:north in Glencoyne Park overlooks Ullswater and encircles a young oak tree, built using stones scattered over nearby fields during Storm Desmond in 2015.
11. Wainwright Plaque at Patterdale PO: Alfred Wainwright's Guides to the Fells were first sold here.
12. Wainwright Sitting Stone: Celebrating Ullswater, "that loveliest of lakes..."
We only regret opportunities we don't take!