Lake District - hiking in March
Discussion
Despite hiking in most areas of the UK I've never ventured to the lake district based on perception of poor weather all year round. I need to use up some leave by the end of March - worth a shot or just asking for a drenching?
I don't mind mixing it with some inclement conditions but a whole week might become tiresome.
I don't mind mixing it with some inclement conditions but a whole week might become tiresome.
Evening VP hope you are keeping well.
Seasonal weather is broadly a myth in the Lakes. You have as much chance of good weather in December as in June tbh and June July August are often the worst.... similar to Scotland for increased summer month rainfall. Spend most weekends up there and extended holidays throughout the year. This next week is a prime example looks high pressure frosty nights but great sunny days although typically early morning mists likely.
From experience May and September are possibly your best bet.
What kind of walks are you looking at btw?
Break the areas down to broadly three if your aim is for full day fell walks the best being Southern Lakes from say Great Langdale, North Eastern Lakes from Glenridding area and Northern Lakes from Keswick area.
HTH.
Seasonal weather is broadly a myth in the Lakes. You have as much chance of good weather in December as in June tbh and June July August are often the worst.... similar to Scotland for increased summer month rainfall. Spend most weekends up there and extended holidays throughout the year. This next week is a prime example looks high pressure frosty nights but great sunny days although typically early morning mists likely.
From experience May and September are possibly your best bet.
What kind of walks are you looking at btw?
Break the areas down to broadly three if your aim is for full day fell walks the best being Southern Lakes from say Great Langdale, North Eastern Lakes from Glenridding area and Northern Lakes from Keswick area.
HTH.
Edited by av185 on Saturday 6th January 22:45
Some encouraging input and photo's - thanks!
AV, good to have you back and thanks for the insights. I like a mix of full and half day hikes, tend to use OS maps and create my own circular walks. Having the breakdown helps deciding where to start.
As a relatively impulsive traveller the photo's and positivity are enough - I'll do it!
Any recommendations on where to stay, will be solo?
AV, good to have you back and thanks for the insights. I like a mix of full and half day hikes, tend to use OS maps and create my own circular walks. Having the breakdown helps deciding where to start.
As a relatively impulsive traveller the photo's and positivity are enough - I'll do it!
Any recommendations on where to stay, will be solo?
Plenty of air b and bs and guest houses around if thats your thing. For the southern Lakes Ambleside is a good base as is Grasmere both of which provide good access to most grades of fellwalking from easy (e.g. Loughrigg Fell, Lingmoor Fell, Silver Howe, Blea Rigg, Sergeant Man, Raise, Steel Fell, Easedale) to intermediate (e.g. Langdale Pikes incl Pavey Ark, Fairfield Horseshoe, Pike O Bliscoe, Kentmere Horsehoe) to harder and longer full day routes (e.g. from Great Langdale Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, Esk Pike, Great End, Scafell, Helvellyn, and Coniston range incl Swirl How, Grey Friar, Brim Fell, Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man). These longer walks broadly suited to Spring or Summer during warmer weather!
Hotels typically rather hit and miss depending on your budget quite a few decent ones in Grasmere and Langdale Hotel at Elterwater and Eltermere are generally ok at the money.
The Wainwright guides are still very informative if a little outdated now....would recommend you look at these the whole set of 7 guides covering all Lakes is available from Amazon about c£30. Will give you a very good idea of the walks/routes before attempting them.
Good luck VP be interested hearing how you get on!
Hotels typically rather hit and miss depending on your budget quite a few decent ones in Grasmere and Langdale Hotel at Elterwater and Eltermere are generally ok at the money.
The Wainwright guides are still very informative if a little outdated now....would recommend you look at these the whole set of 7 guides covering all Lakes is available from Amazon about c£30. Will give you a very good idea of the walks/routes before attempting them.
Good luck VP be interested hearing how you get on!
Hi VP,
I’ve spent my whole adult life wandering the Lakeland Fells in all seasons and weathers and it still feels like a wonderful place. I’ve been walking and climbing all around the UK and the greater ranges in the alps, but there’s nothing like the compact feel of a Lake District hill walking day out and then relaxing at the end of the day with a beer or two.
As others have said, March can throw a mixture of wind, rain, sleet and snow at you so be prepared.
If you’ve not got a full week to spare, I can recommend somewhere like The Patterdale Hotel as a base which is popular with hill walkers and do reasonably priced 4 night mid-week dinner, bed and breakfast breaks (no I don’t have shares, but have stayed there multiple times and was more than pleased).
There are a multitude of options from there depending on the weather. Somebody above mentioned the path down the eastern side of Ullswater from Patterdale to Howtown and return on the lake steamer to Glenridding which is a good choice on a poor weather half day. For longer walks you’ve got Place Fell, Angle Tarn Pikes, High Street, Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag which you can do from your doorstep.
Check out the “Black Crag” channel on YouTube, Glenn on there does some great vlogs that beautifully captures the atmosphere of walking in the Lake District.
Wishing you a good introduction to Lake District walking.
I’ve spent my whole adult life wandering the Lakeland Fells in all seasons and weathers and it still feels like a wonderful place. I’ve been walking and climbing all around the UK and the greater ranges in the alps, but there’s nothing like the compact feel of a Lake District hill walking day out and then relaxing at the end of the day with a beer or two.
As others have said, March can throw a mixture of wind, rain, sleet and snow at you so be prepared.
If you’ve not got a full week to spare, I can recommend somewhere like The Patterdale Hotel as a base which is popular with hill walkers and do reasonably priced 4 night mid-week dinner, bed and breakfast breaks (no I don’t have shares, but have stayed there multiple times and was more than pleased).
There are a multitude of options from there depending on the weather. Somebody above mentioned the path down the eastern side of Ullswater from Patterdale to Howtown and return on the lake steamer to Glenridding which is a good choice on a poor weather half day. For longer walks you’ve got Place Fell, Angle Tarn Pikes, High Street, Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag which you can do from your doorstep.
Check out the “Black Crag” channel on YouTube, Glenn on there does some great vlogs that beautifully captures the atmosphere of walking in the Lake District.
Wishing you a good introduction to Lake District walking.
Edited by Itsgrimupnorth on Sunday 7th January 12:51
Venisonpie said:
Despite hiking in most areas of the UK I've never ventured to the lake district based on perception of poor weather all year round. I need to use up some leave by the end of March - worth a shot or just asking for a drenching?
I don't mind mixing it with some inclement conditions but a whole week might become tiresome.
Having lived here all my life I can say the only weather forecast worth its salt is sticking your head out your front door..... we've just had the wettest and mildest December I can remember. March it can still be wintery to spring like and everything in between. The difficulty is booking something and expecting the weather to play ball (at anytime if year). I'd just hope for the best and plan for the worst I.e. decent clothing and a back up plan e.g. some low level walks if the weather is poor I don't mind mixing it with some inclement conditions but a whole week might become tiresome.
As a base it depends what you're after. Ambleside and south Windermere etc there isn't the selection of walks from your doorstep as Grasmere and Keswick. A Derwent water loop is a nice low level walk on a poor weather day with various watering holes along the route.
Let me know where you end up staying and I can suggest some walks, also happy to meet up if close enough and take you out on some routes.
We always used to stay in Ambleside but for our last two trips we've stayed in Portinscale and Keswick.
The Skiddaw walk I mentioned above was done from Portinscale - longer day but meant we didn't need to move the car, so when we got back down to Keswick it was straight into the Keswick brewery tap for beers, then to The Round for burgers (and more beer!) before wobbling back over the fields to Portinscale.
We stayed in Keswick in December and got the Borrowdale Rambler bus down the valley. First bus is something 08:50 and it's only 30 minutes to Seatoller. We followed Cumbria Way back up the valley as it was wet (full waterproofs day) and you'd have probably been in the clag on the summits. If the weather is good, you could go up to High Spy and follow the ridge to Catbells before dropping down.
There's a good cafe / tea room in Grange and the Chalet Tea Rooms in Portinscale is excellent for breakfast or refuelling with afternoon cake.
The Skiddaw walk I mentioned above was done from Portinscale - longer day but meant we didn't need to move the car, so when we got back down to Keswick it was straight into the Keswick brewery tap for beers, then to The Round for burgers (and more beer!) before wobbling back over the fields to Portinscale.
We stayed in Keswick in December and got the Borrowdale Rambler bus down the valley. First bus is something 08:50 and it's only 30 minutes to Seatoller. We followed Cumbria Way back up the valley as it was wet (full waterproofs day) and you'd have probably been in the clag on the summits. If the weather is good, you could go up to High Spy and follow the ridge to Catbells before dropping down.
There's a good cafe / tea room in Grange and the Chalet Tea Rooms in Portinscale is excellent for breakfast or refuelling with afternoon cake.
Update, I've rented a cottage in Elterwater which was reasonable and has parking. I also discovered amongst my OS collection the relevent OL maps which is curious - maybe I popped by previously?
I used to travel to Glasgow a lot and perhaps extended a weekend once. Anyway, from unsure yesterday morning to fully booked today - looking forward to exploring.
Thanks again, helped make the decision easy.
I used to travel to Glasgow a lot and perhaps extended a weekend once. Anyway, from unsure yesterday morning to fully booked today - looking forward to exploring.
Thanks again, helped make the decision easy.
Venisonpie said:
Update, I've rented a cottage in Elterwater which was reasonable and has parking. I also discovered amongst my OS collection the relevent OL maps which is curious - maybe I popped by previously?
I used to travel to Glasgow a lot and perhaps extended a weekend once. Anyway, from unsure yesterday morning to fully booked today - looking forward to exploring.
Thanks again, helped make the decision easy.
Good effort OP. The obvious walks are up the Langdales from Elterwater. If the conditions are good I'd also recommend starting in Grasmere and going up Jack's Rake/Pavey Arc and dropping back down into the Langdale valley. I used to travel to Glasgow a lot and perhaps extended a weekend once. Anyway, from unsure yesterday morning to fully booked today - looking forward to exploring.
Thanks again, helped make the decision easy.
Good call VP, Elterwater is a great location you can literally walk from your door up onto Lingmoor Fell or towards High Close giving you easy access onto Loughrigg Fell in one direction from Red Bank (via the beautiful Tarn) and in the other Siver Howe further options then continuing along Blea Rigg via Blea Crag Sergeant Man Raise and returning either via Easedale or the little known stunning Codale Tarn then Tarn Crag to Grasmere or via the Langdale Pikes with a pint or two in the Sticklebarn/New Dungeon Ghyll.
Further options especially if the weather is good for longish circular routes is to park a couple of miles up Langdale on the road near the Old Dungeon Ghyll (get there early limited spaces) and walk up the Band via Stool End farm onto Bowfell and return via Esk Pike Rosthwaite Gill and Mickledon. Alternatively Pike O Blisco and Crinkle Crags are accessible via Oxendale.... best route up imo.
Decent pint in the Britannia Inn Elterwater and we recently ate at Langdale Hotel Stoves restaurant they have a supper club Sun to Thursday and the food is very good and great value. Wouldn't bother with the new Tapas bar just outside the village or the Wainright Inn tbh.
If you want top food the Stamphouse in Ambleside is always worth a visit if you can manage to secure a table but need to book well in advance.
Further options especially if the weather is good for longish circular routes is to park a couple of miles up Langdale on the road near the Old Dungeon Ghyll (get there early limited spaces) and walk up the Band via Stool End farm onto Bowfell and return via Esk Pike Rosthwaite Gill and Mickledon. Alternatively Pike O Blisco and Crinkle Crags are accessible via Oxendale.... best route up imo.
Decent pint in the Britannia Inn Elterwater and we recently ate at Langdale Hotel Stoves restaurant they have a supper club Sun to Thursday and the food is very good and great value. Wouldn't bother with the new Tapas bar just outside the village or the Wainright Inn tbh.
If you want top food the Stamphouse in Ambleside is always worth a visit if you can manage to secure a table but need to book well in advance.
Don't discount the northern fells, they have a unique (but beautiful) rugged bleakness all of their own and feel quite separate from the central fells - much quieter too.
The Duddon valley and Eskdale is my favourite part of the Lakes by far and like the northern fells tends to be much quieter.
The Duddon valley and Eskdale is my favourite part of the Lakes by far and like the northern fells tends to be much quieter.
a311 said:
Good effort OP. The obvious walks are up the Langdales from Elterwater. If the conditions are good I'd also recommend starting in Grasmere and going up Jack's Rake/Pavey Arc and dropping back down into the Langdale valley.
Thanks, maps spread on the lounge floor and notes being made!av185 said:
Good call VP, Elterwater is a great location you can literally walk from your door up onto Lingmoor Fell or towards High Close giving you easy access onto Loughrigg Fell in one direction from Red Bank (via the beautiful Tarn) and in the other Siver Howe further options then continuing along Blea Rigg via Blea Crag Sergeant Man Raise and returning either via Easedale or the little known stunning Codale Tarn then Tarn Crag to Grasmere or via the Langdale Pikes with a pint or two in the Sticklebarn/New Dungeon Ghyll.
Further options especially if the weather is good for longish circular routes is to park a couple of miles up Langdale on the road near the Old Dungeon Ghyll (get there early limited spaces) and walk up the Band via Stool End farm onto Bowfell and return via Esk Pike Rosthwaite Gill and Mickledon. Alternatively Pike O Blisco and Crinkle Crags are accessible via Oxendale.... best route up imo.
Decent pint in the Britannia Inn Elterwater and we recently ate at Langdale Hotel Stoves restaurant they have a supper club Sun to Thursday and the food is very good and great value. Wouldn't bother with the new Tapas bar just outside the village or the Wainright Inn tbh.
If you want top food the Stamphouse in Ambleside is always worth a visit if you can manage to secure a table but need to book well in advance.
Thanks AV, plenty to go at there. I'm staying less than 100yds from the Britannia!Further options especially if the weather is good for longish circular routes is to park a couple of miles up Langdale on the road near the Old Dungeon Ghyll (get there early limited spaces) and walk up the Band via Stool End farm onto Bowfell and return via Esk Pike Rosthwaite Gill and Mickledon. Alternatively Pike O Blisco and Crinkle Crags are accessible via Oxendale.... best route up imo.
Decent pint in the Britannia Inn Elterwater and we recently ate at Langdale Hotel Stoves restaurant they have a supper club Sun to Thursday and the food is very good and great value. Wouldn't bother with the new Tapas bar just outside the village or the Wainright Inn tbh.
If you want top food the Stamphouse in Ambleside is always worth a visit if you can manage to secure a table but need to book well in advance.
Lotobear said:
Don't discount the northern fells, they have a unique (but beautiful) rugged bleakness all of their own and feel quite separate from the central fells - much quieter too.
The Duddon valley and Eskdale is my favourite part of the Lakes by far and like the northern fells tends to be much quieter.
Absolutely, will stay South this time to get a feel for it and then try alternatives in the future. Ideally I like to leave the car alone and just walk from base which Elterwater seems to support.The Duddon valley and Eskdale is my favourite part of the Lakes by far and like the northern fells tends to be much quieter.
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