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----------High Level Winter/Spring





From now to the end May 2009

Or see:
High Level - Summer 2009
High Level - Autumn 2009


8-23 Dec - High Level Patagonia Full
Tents, hostels & hotels-Sara B & Maria-Argentina/Chile
15 nights part board + flight + 7 eve. meals: £2785
Price without UK flight: £2050

A challenging high level holiday trekking in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, walking in the dramatic Mt Fitzroy region of Argentina; includes visit to the Moreno Glacier.

Fuller detail
Fitzroy.Patagonia in the southernmost portion of South America contains some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world. It is a land of wilderness where broad expanses of pampa meet the glacially sculpted spires of the Andes. Unique in its flora and fauna, and the wind blows strongly here much of the time. This high level holiday includes the spectacular 5-night 'W' trek in Las Torres del Paine National Park taking you to the foot of the soaring spires of Las Torres and close to Glacier Grey. We will also visit the spectacular Moreno glacier where huge blocks fall off into Lake Argentino to float away as ice bergs. The holiday finishes with 3 days walking in the magnificent Mt Fitzroy region of the Andes, including walking past Laguna de los Tres to reach close up views of Fitzroy's incredible North Face. Though not at altitude, non-technical, with day pack only, the walking in these areas is strenuous with plenty of 'up', and some long days in challenging terrain. The accommodation will be in hotels in Buenos Aries, tents or refuges on trek, and a hostel in Chalten near Fitzroy. Besides the internal flight between Buenos Aries and El Calafete, there will be a total 19 hours of transfer by minibus during the trip: Maria with backdrop of Cerro Torre.north on Route 40 to the Paine National Park, and south to el Chalten. The first and last nights are spent in Buenos Aries with time to relax, take a city tour, see the historic area of San Isidro, or shop for souvenirs. The holiday includes the flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires. (See WW website Accommodation page for the full itinerary).

Travel - Flight to Buenos Aries is included: Indirect overnight return flight most likely with Argentinian Airlines via Madrid, or Air France via Paris.
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Price will include: Indirect overnight flight to Buenos Airies, 13 nights part board in Argentina & Chile, staying in a range of accommodation
Ensuite twin rooms in Buenos Airies hotel, shared dormitory accommodation in refuges & hostel, 2 person tents on trek.

Includes: all breakfasts, 10 packed lunches, 7 evening meals; international flight incl. fuel surcharges & taxes; transfers & transport to walks/trek; local guide Maria; porters, & most other costs. Atol Protected LogoAtol No. 6497

Not included: Flight from Buenos Aries to Calafate (approx £100 with Lan Chile); 4 snack lunches, 6 eve. meals in Buenos Aries, Calafate, & Chalten; Paine NP entrance; tips; any optional extra trips.
(The Lan Chile flight to Calefate will be released soon. We will be happy to buy it for you on the Internet.)


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




9-13 Apr - Intermediate & Slow High Grasmere
Guest house - Marian & Lorraine - Lake District
4 nights full board: £325

An Easter holiday where you can choose between Intermediate and Slow High walks each day. Slow High walks allow you to get higher without worrying about the pace.

Fuller detail
Looking towards Swirl How.This Easter holiday with Lorraine & Marian offers a choice of Intermediate and Slow High walks (Slow High walks involve the same 'up' and distance as High Level walks but are taken at a slower pace). Grasmere has wonderful Intermediate walks to tempt us - ridges like wild Blea Rigg, Helm Crag, or Heron Pike with its striking views over Grasmere and Rydal Water. Alternatively you might want the challenge of going higher - onto Fairfield, High Raise, or Helvellyn - without worrying about the pace. You can choose which grade you prefer, or swap between them to stretch or take it easy according to how you feel. This holiday is based at comfortable and friendly Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere with ensuite twin and standard single rooms without a supplement, excellent food, and a lovely garden.

See photos & feedback from last year's Int & Slow High holiday in May?
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Travel - nearest train station: Windermere, then frequent bus from the station to Grasmere.
For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.
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Price includes: 4 nights full board at Glenthorne Guest House
Staying in ensuite twins & standard single rooms. Ensuite single rooms also available (Ensuite single suppl. £10 a night).

Includes: Breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, + and a choice of guided walks.


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




16-19 Apr - High Level Newlands
B&B - Marcelle - Lake District
3 nights full board: £275

A chance to get off the beaten track from a new and better accommodation that we've found in the Newlands Valley - Littletown Farm.

Fuller detail
Newlands.In 2009 we are moving to new accommodation in the Newlands Valley beyond Keswick - staying at Littletown Farm which nestles close to the route up to Hindscarth & Robinson. Staying in this beautiful valley will allow us to get more off the beaten track - setting our 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, and serves good home-cooked evening meals (as well as afternoon tea after a hard day's walk!). The farm offers comfortable twin and single rooms (mostly ensuite or with private facilities) each with its own stunning view looking directly onto the fells. Guided by Marcelle.

Travel - nearest train station: Penrith Station, then bus to Keswick (+ 5 mile taxi to Littletown Farm).
For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.
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Price includes: 3 nights full board at Littletown Farm B&B
Staying in twin rooms with ensuite or private facilities. Single rooms also available (Ensuite singles rooms £10 a night supplement).

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


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




15-17 May - Int & Slow High Grasmere w/e
Guest house - Diana & Anne - Lake District
2 nights full board: £165

A Lake District weekend break offering a choice of Intermediate & Slow High walks each day - you choose which grade you prefer!

Fuller detail
Slow high walk up Fairfield from Grasmere.Here's a weekend break with a choice of Intermediate and Slow High walks each day so that you can stretch or take it easy without worrying about the pace. For Intermediate walks we have many Grasmere fells to choose from - wild Blea Rigg, the Helm Crag ridge, or Heron Pike with its fabulous views over Grasmere and Rydal Water. For Slow High walks we'll surely reach the summit of Fairfield with striking views towards Helvellyn and the Patterdale fells. On the Sunday we could walk to High Raise, or tackle the fabulous Langdale Pikes from nearby Great Langdale. This weekend is based at popular Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere where the food is excellent, and there's a lovely garden to enjoy after walking.

See photos & feedback from a previous Int & Slow High Grasmere holiday?
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Travel - nearest train station: Windermere, then freqent bus from the station to Grasmere.
For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.
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Price includes: 2 nights full board at Glenthorne Guest House
Staying in ensuite twins or standard singles. Ensuite single rooms are also available (Ensuite single suppl. £10 a night).

Includes: Breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, + a choice of guided walks.


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




16-22 May - High Level Rum
Castle hostel & bothy - Fran - Scotland
6 nights full board: £490

This high level holiday with Fran is to the beautiful and mysterious isle of Rum off the west coast of Scotland.... a total Scottish walking experience!

Fuller detail
Rum as one sees it from the ferry.Rum is a diamond shaped jewel of a place - an island of the Inner Hebrides of spectacular wildness and beauty. Its glaciated 'cullins' (high rocks) Askival, Hellival, Trollaval, and Orval, started life near the equator, and are the shattered remnants of a once huge volcano. Apart from its incredible scenery, Rum has been a nature reserve for over 40 years. We may be lucky and see otters fishing along the shores of Loch Scresort, or red deer and wild goats in the heather as we walk. Golden eagles often soar above the Cullins, while Shearwaters nest on their slopes and skim the sea in significant numbers. There are many fabulous high walks to choose from here, often off-path through the heather - along high cliffs overlooking the sea, onto peaks with stunning views, or looking north to the Skye Cullins from beautiful Kilmory Sands. To access the best parts of this island, we will stay for 2 nights in a bothy, Guirdil Bay bothy - a treat for another time!walking there low level with 3 days' food and gear, living in very simple bothy conditions with water from a nearby stream and sleeping mats on the floor - a real Scottish walking experience! The rest of the time our base will be the hostel in extraordinary Kinloch Castle near Loch Scresort. Trains run from Glasgow to Malaig, and from Malaig you catch the regular Rum ferry which is a magical journey in itself.

See photos & feedback from a previous year's holiday?
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Travel: Car or Glasgow train to Mallaig, then ferry to Rum (Ferry: £8 each way). If you fly to Glasgow you may have to stay an extra night in Mallaig or Glasgow.
For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.
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Price includes: 6 nights full board in Kinloch Castle hostel & bothy
Staying in small hostel dormitories or basic bothy shared with other members of the group.

Includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, bothy + guided walks. (Bring sleeping bag, sleeping mat, lightweight camping knife, fork, spoon, large bowl or plate & cup).

Not included: Ferry to Rum (£8 approx each way)


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




23-27 May - Slow High & High Level Snowdonia
Centre - Anita & Jane - Wales
4 nights full board: £310

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 Slow High and High Level.

Fuller detail
On the Nantlle ridge.This holiday with Anita & Jane offers an exciting choice of Slow High and High Level mountain 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. You can choose which grade suits you best - and change walks if need be. For this holiday we will be based in the lovely Nantlle Valley at friendly Trigonos Centre - perfect for WW groups with attractive twin rooms and plenty of singles. The glorious Nantlle ridge - one of the best ridge walks in Wales - will be right on our doorstep. Moel Hebog near Beddgelert is another likely choice - steep but rewarding with breathtaking views of Snowdon. We can also tackle the lesser used Snowdon Ranger path up the back of Snowdon, returning over Moel Cynghorion with Llyn Cwellyn lying below. This would leave nearby Mynydd Mawr as an obvious choice for the last day. Trigonos Centre is set in its own grounds near Nantlle lake, and is accessible by 4pm bus from Bangor station.

See photos from last year's high level holiday? (single group)
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Travel - nearest train station: Bangor Station, then taxi or local bus to Nanttle at 4pm.
For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.
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Price includes: 4 nights full board at Trigonos Centre
Staying in ensuite twin rooms. Plenty of singles available (Ensuite single suppl. £10 a night. Ensuite twin as a single suppl. £15 a night).

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 2009
High Level - Autumn 2009

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:

All the WalkingWomen grades.











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.




ATOL Protection

ATOL ProtectedThe flight-included holidays shown on this web page are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority since we hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 6497. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more.

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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 areWalkingWomen.