Formed 450 million years ago, the Lake District is full of beautiful valleys with their own character and distinctive delights to entice you back time after time. The expansive valley of Langdale has great rock climbing and hill walking all around its natural horseshoe shape. From the summit of Bowfell at the head of the valley, you can look west to the mighty East Buttress of Scafell, arguably the best crag in the Lakes. Around the corner is the magnificent Scafell Crag, with climbs of great atmosphere and history. Continuing to the summit of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, you can descend into Wasdale and down to the shores of Wastwater, England’s deepest lake. Heading back up and into the mountains you reach Napes Needle, first climbed by W.P. Haskett Smith in 1886 and often cited as the birthplace of British rock climbing.

Continuing in a clock-wise direction, you will discover the imposing climbs of Pillar Rock, pass the remote valley of Ennerdale and descend into the peaceful valley of Buttermere. Over more hills and down into Borrowdale you will find yourself in one of the Lakes’ most beautiful valleys, full of native, broad leaf trees and fantastic rock climbing. Another up and a down brings you into Thirlmere, from where you can ascend into the long Helvellyn range of hills. From Helvellyn’s summit you will see the awe-inspiring line of Striding Edge, leading you into Patterdale and down to the shores of Ullswater, where you can sit by the water’s edge and contemplate the remaining half of the Lakes that you are yet to see…