High level holidays - Winter & Spring 2010

Fuller detail Reaching the summit!
Here is a fab 4-night Easter holiday for those who love high level walking in the Lake District. From Grasmere we can tackle majestic Helvellyn - the 3rd highest peak in England - via the path to Grisedale Tarn, then on up over Dollywaggon Pike to reach the summit, leaving the superb views over Thirlmere for our descent. The fabulous Fairfield Horseshoe is also close by - with dramatic views of St Sunday Crag and Helvellyn's ridges from the summit. From neighbouring Great Langdale we can walk the striking Crinkle Crag ridge and Bow Fell, or perhaps have a shorter foray on the Langdale Pikes for our last day. This exciting holiday is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere which has lovely rooms, excellent food, and a large garden with views in 3 directions. Guided by Beryl. (Ensuite single suppl. £10 a night).

See photos & feedback from a previous high level Grasmere holiday?
Use your browser Back button to return here.

Travel - nearest train station: Windermere, then frequent bus from the station forecourt to Grasmere, + 4 mins walk to the guest house.

For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.

Currency Converter?

Price includes: 4 nights at Glenthorne Guest House
Staying in ensuite twins or standard single rooms. There are also plenty of ensuite single rooms available (Ensuite single supplement £10 a night).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, + guided walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

30 Apr-3 May - High Level Newlands

B&B - Beryl - Lake District

3 nights full board: £280

A chance to get off the beaten track from Littletown Farm in the Newlands Valley.

Fuller detail Looking down into Newlands & across to Causey Pike.
Our new venue at Littletown Farm in the Newlands Valley beyond Keswick has proved a great success with 2009 WW groups - Marilyn's hospitality, Sarah's excellent cooking, and the farm's location so close to the routes up Cat Bells, Hindscarth and Robinson… Staying in this beautiful valley will allow us to get more off the beaten track - setting our high level sights on the Robinson to Dale Head ridge overlooking Buttermere, the fabulous Coledale Horseshoe which includes Grisedale Pike, or even mighty Grasmoor overlooking Crummock Water a short drive away. Littletown Farm has its own licensed bar, serves very good home-cooked evening meals, and offers comfortable twin and single rooms (with ensuite or private facilities) each with its own stunning view looking directly onto the fells. Guided by Beryl.

See photos & feedback from a previous year's holiday?
Use your browser Back button to return.

Travel - nearest train station: Penrith Station, then bus to Keswick, & 5 mile taxi to Littletown Farm.

For full Accommodation & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.

Currency Converter?

Price includes: 3 nights at Littletown Farm B&B
Staying in twin rooms with ensuite or private facilities. There are also several single rooms available with ensuite or private facilities (Single supplement £10 a night).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, any transport to walks, + guided walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

7-9 May - Slow High Grasmere w/e Full

Guest house - Brenda - Lake District

2 nights full board: £170

A Lake District weekend break with Slow High walks - accessing fab high walks without worrying about the pace.

Fuller detail Pausing for the view on the way up.
A Spring weekend for some great Slow High walks from Grasmere - choosing between the Fairfield Horseshoe with its striking views towards Striding Edge, or Helvellyn via Grisedale Tarn with all of Thirlmere before us as we descend. Then on the Sunday there will hopefully be time for the Langdale Pikes from Great Langdale or the wonderful Helm Crag ridge from Grasmere before travelling home - so don't book your train home too early! Slow High walks are high level walks taken at a more Intermediate pace. The weekend is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere which has lovely rooms and plenty of singles, excellent food, and a large garden with views in 3 directions… Grasmere is easy to reach by frequent local bus from Windermere station.

See photos & feedback from a previous break (Was Int & Slow High)?
Use your browser Back button to return.

Travel - nearest train station: Windermere, then frequent bus from the station forecourt to Grasmere, + 4 mins walk to the guest house.

For full Accommodation & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.

Currency Converter?

Price includes: 2 nights at Glenthorne Guest House
Staying in ensuite twins or standard single rooms. There are also plenty of ensuite single rooms available (Ensuite single supplement £10 a night).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals + guided walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

21-24 May - High Level Borrowdale

Walking centre - Anne - Lake District

3 nights full board: £240

3 days of wonderful days on the high Lake District fells, staying at the Glaramara Centre near Seatoller. Scafell Pike will be within range!

Fuller detail Reaching the summit!
This Borrowdale break with Anne offers many exciting high level possibilities. We might warm up on one of the rounds that start from the valley, like the fabulous tramp over Glaramara and Allen Crags, descending past Sprinkling Tarn to Seathwaite. On another day we might climb steadily to Dale Head, then circle south over Brandreth to include Green Gable in our day. Great Gable is also well within our range, or if we want to aim for the very highest, there is the classic route from Seathwaite to the summit of Scafell Pike - weather permitting! For this holiday we will be staying at the Glaramara Centre near Seatoller. Though its decor is simple and like a hostel in some respects, Glaramara has plenty of single rooms without a supplement, serves good food, and is fantastic value in every way. It has a bar and a large comfy lounge, and the general atmosphere is warm and friendly.

See photos & feeback from a previous year's March holiday?
Use your browser Back button to return here.

Travel - nearest train station: Penrith Station, then bus from the station to Keswick, and bus up the valley.

For full Accommodation & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.

Currency Converter?

Price includes: 3 nights at Glaramara Centre
Staying in standard single rooms (without a supplement).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, & evening meals, a choice of guided walks each day.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

22-28 May - High Level Glencoe Full

Chalets - Anita - Scottish Highlands

6 nights partl board: £440

An exciting new high level holiday in the Scottish Highlands, easily accessible by train, and everyone can have a single room!

Fuller detail Glencoe.
This 6 night holiday to Glencoe will stay in chalet accomodation at Inchree Centre overlooking Loch Linnhe and the Corran Ferry. You will have seen post card photos of the magnificent scenery of this famous glen - with its 3 huge buttresses looking stunning in the sunshine, or moody and threatening in dark weather. Our choice of walks will depend on weather and local conditions and could include: the Ballachulish Horseshoe Beinn a Bheithir - a lovely ridgewalk with coastal views; Buachaille Etive Mor via Coire Tulaich; Buchaille Etive Beag; up to Sron Gharbh and back along the West Highland Way for views across to the Mamores and start of the Aonach Eagach ridge. If our legs are up to it, Bidean nam Bian, the biggest of the Glencoe hills at 1150m or even one of the Mamores from Kinlochleven will also be within our reach. When the forecast is good we'll have transport around to Glen Nevis via Fort William to 'do the Ben' - at 1343, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK. For off days there are lovely valley walks and lower hills, Fort William is 10 miles away by bus, and Ballachulish and Glencoe villages have small shops and pubs. The chalets at Inchree Centre have 2-3 bedrooms each, and everyone can have a single room. This holiday is easy to reach by car, by train to Fort William, or by flight to Glasgow then train. We will arrange a 4pm shared taxi from Fort William station to Inchree. Breakfasts & packed lunches are included in the price. Evening meals are not included - from £12. We will take our meals in the Centre's diningroom. Guided by Anita.

Travel - nearest train station: Fort William, then 4pm shared taxi for the 10 miles to Inchree Centre.

For full Accommodation & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.

Currency Converter?

Price includes: 6 nights at Inchree Centre
All staying in standard single rooms sharing the bathroom with 1-2 other women in the group (no single supplement).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, all transport to walks, & guided walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

29 May-2 Jun - Int & Slow High Snowdonia

Centre - Anita & Jane - Wales

4 nights full board: £325

A double group holiday in the beautiful Nantlle valley of Snowdonia allowing you to stretch as much as you want with 2 walks to choose from each day at Intermediate & Slow High level.

Fuller detail
Taking in the view. This holiday with Anita & Jane offers an exciting choice of Intermediate and Slow High walks off the beaten track in the Snowdonia National Park. Slow High walks have the ascent and length of High Level walks, but are taken at a more intermediate pace. They will include the Nantlle ridge - one of the best ridge walks in Wales right on our doorstep. Moel Hebog near Beddgelert has breathtaking views of Snowdon, while Snowdon itself will be a 'must' for another day via the quiet Snowdon Ranger path. Intermediate walks will include Mynydd Mawr overlooking Llyn Cwellyn with striking views across to the Nantlle ridge; Moel Cynghorion on the eastern side of the lake has great views of Snowdon; and on one day we'll have transport to walk up Bwlch Mawr for fabulous views out to sea. For this holiday we will be based at friendly Trigonos Centre in the Nantlle valley, with attractive twin rooms and plenty of singles. Trigonos Centre is set in its own grounds near Nantlle lake. We will arrange a 4.30pm shared taxi from Bangor station on the day you arrive.

See photos from a previous year's high level holiday? (was high level only)
Use your browser Back button to return here.

Travel - nearest train station: Bangor Station, then taxi or local bus to Nanttle at 4pm.

For full Accommodation & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.

Currency Converter?

Price includes: 4 nights at Trigonos Centre, Nanttle
Staying in ensuite twin rooms. There are also plenty of singles available (Single suppplements per night: Ensuite single £10. Ensuite twin as a single £15).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, transport to walks, + a choice of guided walks each day.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Or see:
High Level - Summer 2010
High Level - Autumn 2010

High Level grades explained...

There are now 3 high level grades: Slow High, High Level, and Alpine High. You can see the differences between them below:

Slow High - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

Reaching above the longest steep section. We introduced the Slow High grade last year after talking to women who come on the holidays, and it has proved a huge success! Many women love high level walks - and may always have loved them - but now find they want to take them at a slower pace. For other women, 'high level' is the next step up, but it's still an unknown quantity and they worry about slowing others down. If these concerns have stopped you from choosing our High Level grade - even though you feel, or know, you have the stamina to cope with long 'ups' and 'downs' and long walking days, then this new grade is for you! Slow High walks will be similar to High Level walks in all other respects - see below - but will be taken at a slower pace with more stops along the way. The walking day may be a little longer than usual, and as a result we arrange them in Spring and Summer. (Intermediate walks are also offered at the same time so that you can vary your walks or swap to Intermediate if you find you prefer it).

High level - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

Getting onto rock at times at High Level! High Level walks are 'mountain' walks, offering the most exciting and dramatic views - wild crags where buzzards and ravens fly, expansive views, deserted high level lakes, and wonderful long ridges with views to the valleys below. The walks will be from 8-12 miles in length, and have an ascent and descent of up to 1000m (3300ft). The secret of getting up there is to take the 'ups' at a steady pace without so many stops that you keep losing your second wind. The gradients will vary over the day, but will generally include longer steep sections High level walking in the Lakes. than the intermediate grades, with 1.5-2 hours of ascent overall. In general, the higher you go, the rockier the paths get, and in places you may use your hands; some high level walks can be unnerving for vertigo sufferers.

If you have reasonable balance for walking on rocky uneven ground and know you have the leg, heart, and lung fitness to cope with sustained exertion - either from recent hill walking or in some other sport - these wonderful walks could be for you! (See alsoIntermediate, High Intermediate, & Slow High above).

High Alpine - 8-14 miles, 850-1400m up & down

Ibex in Gran Paradiso - July 2001. The high level holidays that are graded 'High Alpine' have some of the most stunning walks we offer - soaring views of snow-clad peaks, glaciers, ice-covered mountain lakes, and alpine flowers all around. However, on certain days, there will be more length or ascent than normal High Level walks - up to 14 miles a day and 1400m (4600ft) ascent/descent. On some holidays you may experience some altitude effects - e.g. headaches or shortness of breath. Ascending to Colle dela Terra - with 1300m of descent on the other side! As a result, these wonderful mountains may require you to pace yourself, e.g. by swapping to an intermediate walk in Gran Paradiso and Bulgaria. On the Langtang Trek in Nepal we build in acclimatising days to diminish the effects of altitude, and you may need to take it easy then.

If you're a hill walker with good knees and stamina, who wants more of a challenge and incredible views, these wonderful walks could be for you! If you are not already a hill walker, Gran Paradiso or Bulgaria offer a choice of grades each day and are the safest High Alpine holidays to try first.

Back to the top of the page & the menu?

More pages & WW contact details:

Tel/Fax: 08456 445335 (Local call rate)

From outside UK: +44 (0) 1757 249481

Email: queries@walkingwomen.com

URL: http://www.walkingwomen.com

Address:
WalkingWomen
Hedgehog House
Back Lane
Riccall
York, YO19 6PT (UK)

The paintings on this site are

Rosie Jeffries or Sarah Burt. The Lake District Map is

Autoroute. The photos are

and curtesy of whoever they are attributed to. The rest of the contents and photos are

WalkingWomen.