Walking & Pudding Weekend

Back for 2018 is our Walking & Pudding Weekend. It’s a trip we’ve organised at different times over the years and for 2018 we’re delighted to be returning to HillCrest22 Guest House in Keswick, Cumbria, which offers great accommodation, and will no doubt provide another fantastic selection of traditional and modern puddings to enjoy as part of the Pudding Night on the Saturday.

The Lake District guided walks for the weekend include a higher grade option on the Saturday featuring the Coledale Horseshoe, an excellent walk, together with a lower grade option over Latrigg hill overlooking Keswick. On Sunday the whole group will enjoy views from Walla Crag and underneath Falcon Crag home of the resident Peregrine falcon before continuing on an idyllic trail via the shores of Derwent Water.

Highlights

Fully guided walking weekend holiday
Pudding Night
Breath taking mountain scenery
Superior guest house accommodation
Walking several Wainwright summits
Enjoyable group social evenings

INCLUDED

2 days of scenic guided walking	Pudding Tasting Night
Experienced guide	Tour leader throughout
Transport for the walk(s)	Accommodation & Meals

NOT INCLUDED

Drinks
Spending money

Accommodation at HillCrest22

Hillcrest22 is a family run guest house offering quality ensuite accommodation, just a five minute walk from the centre of Keswick. With panoramic uninterrupted views over Derwent Water lake to the head of the Borrowdale valley, Hillcrest22 is ideally situated in the heart of the Lake District. 22 of Wainwright’s fells can be seen from the house. Parking is street parking or at the nearby pay & display. Rooms are based on two people sharing.

HillCrest22 Guest House, Keswick, Cumbria — HillCrest22, Keswick, Cumbria

Additional information

Min Age	18

Friday – (Optional) Welcome Evening

Guests can check in to HillCrest22 from 3pm and the Friday Welcome Evening (optional) is 8.30pm at HillCrest22. It’s a chance for everyone on the weekend to meet and the Country Adventures tour leader will be on hand to answer any questions about the planned walks. If you’re unable to make it to the Welcome Evening, the booking confirmation will detail everything you need to know about the weekend.

Saturday - Walk Day

Grade 4 option – Coledale Horseshoe 9 miles (14.4km), with 3660 ft (1115m) of ascent

Grade 2 option – Latrigg 7 miles (11.2km), with 1280 ft (390m) of ascent

After an opportunity to kick off the walking boots and relax following a good days walking, the evening begins at HillCrest22 with a tasty evening meal followed by the one of the highlights of the weekend – Pudding Night. Over the years we’ve had a tasty selection of traditional and modern puddings to enjoy during the Pudding Tasting night and this year will be no different. With a minimum of 6 puddings to try there will be an opportunity to score the puddings and at the end of the evening the pud with the highest marks, will be the winner !

Sunday - Walk Day & Departure Day

Grade 2 – Walla Crag & Derwent Water Lakeshore 7 miles (11.2km), with 1300 ft (396m) of ascent

The walk and holiday finishes between 3-4pm.

Essential Info

Accommodation

The accommodation for the walking & pudding weekend holiday is HillCrest22, Keswick, Lake District. Rooms are fully ensuite based on two people sharing and the package includes 2 nights with a selection of meals.

Food & Drink

Meals included during the holiday: All breakfasts, packed lunches for all walk days, and Saturday evening meal with Pudding Night.

Transport

For guided walking tours that require transport from the meeting point to the start of the walk, we use a minibus or where necessary local transport. There is no extra charge for this, it is included in the tour price.

Fitness Levels

Our walks are by no means designed to be endurance tests where everyone sets off at a blistering pace. Far from it, it’s about a fine day in the hills in good company enjoying the best of fell walking with exceptional views but it is important to state that for everyone’s walking enjoyment walking does require a minimum level of fitness and stamina. Hill / Mountain walking experience is not essential as long as you have a reasonable level of fitness. For the higher level graded walks (i.e. Challenging Grade) it is advisable that you are someone who enjoys regular cardio exercise or have experience of mountain walking and have the stamina/ leg strength in order to be better prepared for longer sections of uphill & downhill walking associated with higher mountain treks.

Walking Grades Explained

Grade 1 (Leisurely) Normally 5-8 miles, may include gentle ascents and descents of up to a total 1100ft of ascent and similar descent over a day’s walk. Easier scenic walking at lower altitudes along paths and tracks.

Grade 2 (Moderate) Normally 6-10 miles on paths and tracks, between 800ft – 1700ft of total ascent and similar descent. Longer walks, on hills and moorland.

Grade 3 (Moderate Mountain) Normally ranging from 6-10 miles, between 1700ft – 2600ft of ascent, similar descent. Longer walks, over higher ground with possibly steeper ups and downs on paths and tracks.

Grade 4 (Challenging) Normally ranging from 8-13 miles, between 1500ft – 3000+ft of ascent, similar descent, over undulating mountain terrain, walking at higher levels with steep ups and downs. Suitable for people with a good level of fitness.

Kit List

What you need to bring with you for the walks

Good, comfortable walking boots with a cleated sole and good ankle support are essential.
Waterproof jacket and over-trousers.
Warm, dry walking clothing. Unsuitable clothing includes Jeans or cotton tracksuit bottoms and cotton t-shirts (cotton is a poor insulating fabric and when wet it takes a long time to dry, which can lead to a rapid loss of body heat as well as being uncomfortable).
A number of thin layers are better than one thick/ heavy jumper. We suggest a fleece for extra warmth especially when we stop on the hills for lunch.
Hat and gloves (even in summer – any wind chill on the mountain tops will lead to cooler temperatures).
Sunglasses, sun cream.
Hot or cold drinks (i.e. a minimum of 2 litres of water).
Plenty of food and drink for lunch and snacks.
A rucksack large enough to carry it all in (20-30 litres), ideally with a waterproof liner.
Any medication you need.
Thermos flask. We recommend bringing warm drinks with you, as even on sunny days it can occasionally feel cooler, especially on the summits of the higher-level mountain walks.
Walking poles (if you use them).
A towel, if staying at YHA Grasmere

We want you to enjoy your time with Country Adventures and have the best possible adventure experience. Please be aware that if any participants are not properly equipped for the walk (i.e. with walking boots and waterproofs), at the guide’s discretion we reserve the right to not allow them on the walk for reasons of safety for both the individual and the group. If you need clarification any of the equipment requirements, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Tour Schedule & Activity Meeting Times

Please ensure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the meeting point at the required time. The transport for our day walks will leave promptly at the stated time and due to the nature of scheduled tours, we are unable to provide refunds if unfortunately, you miss the departure time.