⛰️ (Lake District) Hiking Scafell Pike & Grasmere Gingerbread
About the event
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Join us for our final Lake District trip of 2026 and conquer Scafell Pike – the highest peak in England (978m)! There's no way to reach this one by public transport, so we'll be travelling by private minibus, which means places are limited to 14. Book early!
We’ve created a list of [FAQs](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gIZWTLfA3zQsx1fb0lpv1zOWP2vC5tq/view?usp=drive_link) to help answer your questions.
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The Lake District is England's largest national park and by far the most popular in the UK. Every year, some 19 million people pitch up to explore the region's mountains and countryside, and it's not hard to see why. Its postcard panorama of craggy hilltops, mountain tarns and glittering lakes has been stirring the imaginations of visitors for centuries. In 2017, the Lake District was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, joining the likes of the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canyon on the illustrious list. It was the UK’s first national park to be given such status.
On the first day of our trip, we'll summit Scafell Pike – the highest mountain in England, rising to 978 metres above sea level. We'll do our walk from Wasdale valley, which offers the shortest and the most popular approach to the peak. The route starts at almost the sea level, by ascending alongside Lingmell Gill. After crossing the river, the path then leads to Hollow Stones and Lingmell Col, before the final rocky ascent to Scafell Pike. Throughout the whole hike, we'll enjoy superb views of Wast Water, England's deepest lake, the surrounding peaks and dramatic crags. Afterwards, we'll have dinner at the historic Wasdale Head Inn, one of the oldest and most famous inns in the Lake District and the birthplace of British rock climbing, before driving on to our hotel.
Sunday will be much more relaxing! Today's walk is low-level, and will take us around two of the prettiest lakes in the Lake District – Grasmere and Rydal Water. We'll visit the large cavern of Rydal Cave, with its stepping stones. This famous Lakeland beauty spot is actually man-made, and is the result of slate quarrying over 200 years ago. We'll climb Loughrigg Fell (335m) and enjoy amazing panoramic views (it's often from the lower hills that you get the best views!). The hike will finish at Grasmere village, where we'll have lunch and visit the famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop – an absolute must-do in the Lakes!
ITINERARY
Saturday:
06:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station) 07:00 Sharp departure 07:00-14:30 Transfer, with two stops at services (30 and 15 minutes) 14:30-19:30 Hike to Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head (difficulty: [Difficult](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMjvqhAAdSeCdyzLPHs0z04_e2TiKdci/view?usp=sharing), distance: 9km, ascent: 910m) 19:30-20:45 Dinner at the historic [Wasdale Head Inn](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NPpzPwLZmzubJKds5) at the base of Scafell Pike 21:45 Check-in at Premier Inn Whitehaven Hotel
Sunday:
07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Departure 09:00-13:30 Rydal Water and Grasmere circular walk, via Rydal Cave and Loughrigg Fell (difficulty: [Moderate](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMjvqhAAdSeCdyzLPHs0z04_e2TiKdci/view?usp=sharing), distance: 11km, ascent: 530m) 13:30-15:00 Lunch in Grasmere, one of the prettiest villages in the Lake District; free time to visit the famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop and buy souvenirs 15:00 Departure 19:00 Stop at services for dinner 21:00 London, Hammersmith
DIFFICULTY & EQUIPMENT
Please note that this trip requires a good level of fitness. Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and waterproof clothing are essential.
PRIVATE ROOM
The default option is a shared twin room at the hotel (you'll share your room with somebody from our group of the same gender). A small number of private rooms, for your own use, is available for £30 extra – let us know if you would like an upgrade!
TRANSPORT
As on most of our…
