Long weekend in the Lakes

[SmuttyYoda]

Evening all,

Me and the OH are spending a long weekend here in the Lakes (Lakeside).

Just look at the evening supper



She's been a few times and has suggested walking the Cat Bells which will probably be a day out.

As I've not been to the Lakes before, I'm looking for something to do as a bit of a suprise/something different.

Can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks

[a311]

First thing, you’re a bit away from Keswick where you’re staying so Catbells might not make sense-Plenty to do in the area you’re staying unless you fancy the drive which is nice. At a rough guess you’re about an hour away. Catbells is a nice walk and for minimal effort you get a very good view-however it will likely be busy.

A few popular easier walks in the Windermere area:

Orrest head

Miller ground

Brantfell

All of the above offer good views.

If you do decide you want to go to Keswick something a bit different:

http://www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk/via_ferrata_x...

Then there’s row boats and boat tours on the Lake. There are some mountain bike tracks up at Whinlatter-just outside of Keswick-free to use if you have your own bike or you can hire one. I’m up there most weekends at this time of year, it’s graded a bit like ski slopes from blue-black from easiest to most difficult. You don’t need any great skill to tackle the blue root and reds are ok with a couple of more dicey sections. Nice café for lunch or a coffee up there too.

Any Q’s let me know. Despite it being tourist season there are plenty of places (mostly NW Lakes) which are off the beaten track if you want to avoid crowds.

I live here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ennerdale_Water

And even at the height of summer it’s quiet compared to most places.

[tenohfive]

The Via Ferrata is a good shout for something different. And the drive up to and past Keswick wouldn't put me off in the slightest - the further you get from Windermere the more scenic it gets (starting north of Ambleside.) Alternatively Ullswater is a much more scenic setting for boat hire - it's surrounded by some impressive hills - and there's a place in Glenridding which is reasonably priced.