A guidebook to walking the Tour of the Lake District. Covering 144km (90 miles), this long-distance circular trek starting and finishing in Ambleside takes around 9 days to hike and is suitable for any reasonably fit walker.

The route is described clockwise in 9 stages, each between 11 and 22km (6?14 miles) in length. Alternative high-level routes are also included for those who want to visit the high peaks of Coniston Old Man, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Helvellyn.

• 1:50,000 OS maps included for each stage
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on facilities, public transport and accommodation on route
• Alternate 7 and 13-day itineraries are also given
• Advice on planning and preparation

Originally from Oxfordshire, Lesley Williams' first experience of the Lake District fells was as a teenager. With a lifelong passion for walking, trekking and more recently cycle touring, Lesley has been Cicerone's marketing director for over 20 years. Based on the edge of the Lake District, she and her husband Jonathan have relished the excuse to spend many happy (and sometimes very cold and wet) days on the fells researching the route for this book. Lesley is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

The Lake District National Park is England's most popular mountain region and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Suitable for most reasonably fit hillwalkers, the 145km (90 mile) Tour of the Lake District takes in the best of this beautiful region in a circular tour. The route is presented in nine stages, plus an optional 'prologue' stage from Windermere station to the start-point in Ambleside, and can be compressed into one week or extended over two weeks, giving time to visit many attractions on the way. In addition to the main (non-waymarked) route, which links the main towns and valleys of the national park, five interchangeable high-level stages are also offered, enabling you to visit some of the region's most celebrated high peaks - including Coniston Old Man, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Helvellyn - should you so wish. Each stage includes summary statistics and clear route description illustrated with OS mapping and an elevation profile. There are notes on local points of interest and a wealth of information to help you plan your tour, covering public transport, accommodation and kit, plus accommodation listings and a facilities table. The Tour showcases the magnificent landscapes of the region, from mountain vistas to idyllic lakeshore scenery. There are lakes, rivers and waterfalls, characterful towns and villages, remote valleys, high fells and fascinating historical features including a Neolithic stone circle, packhorse bridges and properties that once belonged to Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. There are a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and opportunities to sample delicious local produce. The Tour of the Lake District is an ideal way to discover all the region has to offer and is sure to generate lots of memorable experiences.

Map key Route summary table Overview map Alternative schedules Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Landscape and geology Plants and wildlife Farming History and culture The Tour of the Lake District Planning your Tour When to go How to get there Local transport Accommodation Equipment Maps and apps Navigation and safety Using this guide The Tour of the Lake District Prologue Windermere to Ambleside Stage 1 Ambleside to Coniston Stage 2 Coniston to Eskdale Stage 2A Coniston to Eskdale: high-level route Stage 3 Eskdale to Wasdale Stage 3A Eskdale to Wasdale: high-level route Stage 4 Wasdale to Buttermere Stage 4A Wasdale to Buttermere: high-level route Stage 5 Buttermere to Keswick Stage 5A Buttermere to Keswick: high-level route Stage 6 Keswick to Rosthwaite Stage 7 Rosthwaite to Grasmere Stage 8 Grasmere to Patterdale Stage 8A Grasmere to Patterdale: high-level route Stage 9 Patterdale to Ambleside Appendix A Useful contacts Appendix B Accommodation Appendix C Facilities table Appendix D Place names Appendix E Further reading and resources