Lake District Circular Walks

Lake District Circular Walks

A collection of circular walking holidays visiting the lakes and mountains of the Lake District National Park.

3 to 13 nights
12-74 miles
Easy / Moderate to Easy

From £360 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

Book your self-guided walking holiday in the Lake District. This UNESCO World Heritage site is England's only true mountain region and contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It provides an enchanting mix of rugged mountains, deep valleys, shimmering lakes, powerful waterfalls and attractive stone-built villages.

Our selection of circular walking holidays in the Lake District National Park provide an enticing mixture of scenery, terrain and challenge. Whether you are looking for fabulous views, picturesque settlements, fascinating history or literary inspiration, each of these walks offers something different, and are ideal for an active but tranquil retreat into the Great British countryside.

Choose your route

  • Lakeland Three Passes Walk
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Lakeland Round
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options South Lakes Short Break
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options North Lakes Short Break
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Derwentwater Round

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

About this route

4 nights
29 miles
Moderate / Demanding
2nd January to 24th December
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £540 per person

North Lakes Short Break

The North Lakes Short Break is a scenic walk based on the route taken by tourists in the 19th century, where they travelled via horse-drawn carriage through beautiful Borrowdale and Buttermere via the Honister Pass, before returning to Keswick through the stunning Newlands Valley.

This trail encounters such wonderful attractions as the shores of Derwentwater, the remote beauty of Watendlath Tarn, Lakeland’s highest waterfall near Crummock Water, and amazing views of the surrounding mountain landscape. There is also a selection of charming towns and villages to explore along the way, each boasting its own unique character and interesting history.

Explore the Heart of the Lake District: Self-Guided Walking Holidays on the North Lakes Short Break


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Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
NLSB A circular trail beginning at Keswick 4 nights, 3 days walking Moderate / Demanding £540

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
SLSB1 A circular trail beginning at Windermere 4 nights, 3 days walking Moderate / Demanding £505
SLSB2 A circular trail beginning at Windermere 5 nights, 4 days walking Moderate £630
SLSB3 A circular trail beginning at Windermere 7 nights, 6 days walking Easy / Moderate £880
"Relaxing on Top of the World" by Bruce Hunter (2024) "Relaxing on Top of the World" by Bruce Hunter (2024)
"Watendlath" by Bruce Hunter (2024) "Watendlath" by Bruce Hunter (2024)
"Warnscale" by Richard Hunter (2024) "Warnscale" by Richard Hunter (2024)
"Buttermere" by Bruce Hunter (2024) "Buttermere" by Bruce Hunter (2024)
"Dismantled Tramway, Honister to Buttermere" Graham Wright (2022) "Dismantled Tramway, Honister to Buttermere" Graham Wright (2022)
"Derwentwater from Nichol End" by Desmond Maltby (2021) "Derwentwater from Nichol End" by Desmond Maltby (2021)
"Buttermere from Fleetwith Pike" by Desmond Maltby (2021) "Buttermere from Fleetwith Pike" by Desmond Maltby (2021)
"Pillar and Haystacks from Fleetwith Pike" by Desmond Maltby (2021) "Pillar and Haystacks from Fleetwith Pike" by Desmond Maltby (2021)
"Between Buttermere and the Newlands Valley" by Sheila Maltby (2021) "Between Buttermere and the Newlands Valley" by Sheila Maltby (2021)
"Approaching the Newlands Valley" by Desmond Maltby (2021) "Approaching the Newlands Valley" by Desmond Maltby (2021)
"Honister Slate Quarry" by Desmond Maltby (2021) "Honister Slate Quarry" by Desmond Maltby (2021)
"Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere" by Desmond Maltby (2021) "Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere" by Desmond Maltby (2021)
"Fleetwith Pike" by Paul Sanders (2018) "Fleetwith Pike" by Paul Sanders (2018)

Customer reviews from the North Lakes Short Break

“Absolutely beautiful country to explore.”
Mrs Chapman, Australia
“It was an excellent introduction to the area (neither of us had been before). Great walking, just challenging enough!”
Mrs Hansen, UK
“The area we walked in was stunning and even though the weather was challenging we had a good time.”
Mr Mawdsley, UK
“A combination of good organisation and good weather = perfect!”
Mr Sanders, France
“Contours' choice of accommodation was spot on. Already have another short break planned in September.”
Mrs Fairclough, UK
“The walking itinerary was very well planned. Ben's advice on which walk to do calibrated very well with the preferences I told him. The accommodations were well chosen and of high quality. Have already been recommending the holiday to others.”
Mr Griffiths, UK
“On two of the three days, we had clear blue skies with unbelievable heat. It was the best weather (apart from the intensity of the heat) that we have ever experienced in the Lake District! We already have next year's walk booked.”
Dr Maltby, UK
“Great walks in a lovely part of the Lake District.”
Mr Linathan, UK
Find your holiday