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Looking forward to the summer of 2008 we have a new challenge which tackles all of the peaks over 3000ft in Snowdonia, North Wales, as well as our classic multi-area hiking tours in the UK's most breathtaking scenery. At grades from 'Easy' to 'Strenuous' we have something for everybody. |
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There are 15 peaks topping the magic line of 3000 feet in North Wales .
Take our newest challenge for 2008 and collect all of them!
 The Welsh 3000 challenge is to climb all fifteen peaks in Wales which top 3000 feet in altitude. The fifteen all have individual characteristics which set them apart one from another but are linked by superb ridges forming three distinct mountain ranges cut by the valleys of Ogwen and Llanberis - Gwynant. This geographical arrangement neatly divides the Welsh 3000 Challenge into three sections, each giving a tough but altogether superb day's hiking. Before embarking on the Challenge we prepare with some gentler hikes including an ascent of one of the district's lesser known little gems. There will also be opportunity to visit some of North Wales' famous sights such as Caernarfon Castle. During this tour we will be staying at the charming and very picturesque village of Beddgelert at the foot of the highest peak, Yr Wyddfa or 'Snowdon'. This is a brilliant new trip for the keen hiker with a good level of fitness.
For more details click here >>>> or download a trip dossier here >>>
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A mountain challenge which will take you to Wales, England and Scotland climbing
the highest peak in each of the three countries which make up mainland Britain
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This is our classic challenge trip, developed by Wandering Aengus Treks, which we have been running successfully since 2001. During this tour we visit three areas of outstanding natural beauty in the British Isles, namely Snowdonia in North Wales, the Lake District in Cumbria, England, and the rugged West Highlands of Scotland.
The challenge is to reach the summit of the highest peak in each country. We start with Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), which gives a superb hike along the magnificent Crib Goch Ridge where you will need a good head for heights. A scenic transfer along the Welsh coast and through the mountains and dales of the Lake District then takes us to the old market town of Keswick. Here we have an optional ascent of a nearby viewpoint for a panorama over the stunning Derwentwater and along Borrowdale to our next objective, Scafell Pike, England's highest peak. Finally we travel via Glasgow and the bonny banks of Loch Lomond to Glen Coe, the home of the clan MacDonald. The stunning setting of the mountains of Glen Coe is our base for our final peak, the highest of them all, Ben Nevis.
Each of the days that we hike the 'Three Peaks' will involve some eight to nine hours of walking on rough mountain tracks. These days are relieved by transfer days where we have a half day's drive with the rest of the day free for exploration or an optional easier hike.
The Three Peaks Explorer Tour
Our Challenge trip takes place over seven days. Each of the 'Three Peaks' is climbed by what we consider to be its finest route, sometimes involving scrambling on narrow rock edges or trackless ground, and is suitable for experienced hikers with a good level of fitness. We also have a more moderately paced trip which climbs the peaks by more straightforward routes and with more time in between to 'recover' . This 11 day 'Explorer' trip is also about visiting the many other attractions which these three areas have to offer.
For more details click here >> or download the dossier here >>
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This trip does exactly what it says on the tin!
One of the unique aspects of a Wandering Aengus Treks' tour is the opportunity to spend quality time in several areas of outstanding natural beauty in a single trip. This one visits the Yorkshire Dales limestone country, the dark peak of Bronte country, the charming English Lake District of Beatrix Potter, and the wonderful coastline and windswept north sea islands of Northumbria, steeped in history and studded with castles. A tour de force!
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Read all about it
This trip was recently voted one of the top seven UK trips to take in 2008 by the London Sport Magazine, London's guide for active people (To read the online version of the article click here >>>> or go to www.ls-magazine.co.uk)
In 2008 we have two departures for this special trip one at the beginning of June and another at the end of July.
To learn more click here >> or download the trip dossier here >>
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Our most popular tour of 2007 is already an established classic. Following in the footsteps of the Roman legions, our walks on this easy paced tour take us back almost 2000 years to when Britain was a far flung outpost of the greatest empire the world has known.
During this tour we visit three of the oldest cities in England containing both Roman and medieval remains and walk coast to coast from the North Sea to the Irish sea by way of Hadrian's Wall.
Highlights of the trip include the coastal walk from Robin Hoods Bay to Whitby, three different walks in the beautiful Lake District, and following Hadrian's Wall on the undulating Great Whin Sill across the Pennines.
With visits to historical and World Heritage sites such as York Minster, Fountains Abbey, Studley Royal Gardens, Muncaster Castle, Hardknott Fort, and the medieval walls of Chester, this trip bristles with heritage and history.
To learn more click here >> or download the trip dossier here >>
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Three walking and hiking tours at easy, moderate or strenuous level
in the picture perfect Lake District, Britain's premier National Park
 
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Home to the Victorian poets of William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and John Ruskin, the English Lake District is England's premier National Park and a designated World Heritage Site. It. offers the most dramatic and contrasting scenery in England from its rugged mountains and wild fells, to its green lake-bejewelled valleys, from the old world charm of its small communities, to the bustle of its market towns and climbing centres. Here you will find a variety of experience and scenic beauty second to none in Britain.
We have three itineraries based in the Lake District this year to cater for differing levels of fitness and ambition.
Our' Lakes Explorer' tour goes at the grade of EASY and is a series of delightful valley and lake-shore walks together with visits to major visitor attractions and historical sites in Lakeland.
The 'Miss Potter Film Locations' tour at the grade of MODERATE is themed on the stunning locations featured in the Miss Potter film and is a collection of superb hikes in the Lake District.
Our 'Lakes Hiker' is for the keen enthusiast and is a summit fest of the highest peaks in the region with spectacular commanding views across the lake District and over the coast. This trip weighs in at our STRENUOUS grade and participants will need a good level of fitness.
Download the dossiers: Explorer >> Hiker >> Miss Potter >>
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Since we began running our 'Three Peaks Tours' seven years ago, we have had many requests for advice and information about the peaks, the best routes to the summit, how to get there, what equipment is needed etc. We have always been happy to give advice and the benefit of our experience, but this year the requests for information have multiplied to a point where they are taking up a lot of our time.
In response we have developed the 'Mountain Information' pages of the Wandering Aengus Treks website. These are designed as a general resource for walkers and hikers to use as they wish, strictly under their own liability. At the moment the pages give detailed accounts of the routes on the 'National Three Peaks' with maps and photographs. It is hoped that in the future the pages will grow to accommodate more peaks throughout the British Isles. The Mountain Information section has its own Home Page which can be accessed from the Home Page of the Wandering Aengus Treks website, or click here >>>> for a preview.
Of course, for those who would rather not have the hassle of how to get there, where to stay, finding and following the best route at the best times, and who would prefer to trek with someone who can inform on the history and geography of the area, then there's always our tours. |
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The Lake District
This edition of the newsletter features a glorious Buttermere traverse
across the fells of Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag and Seat
Total distance: 8.5 miles
Total ascent: 2907 feet
Grade: Demanding hiking
Crummock Water and Buttermere from Red Pike. Click in the images for a larger version
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This is a superb walk along the skyline above the lovely lakes of Buttermere and Crummock water.
Along the way are views to die for over the lakes and across to the fells of Robinson and Grasmoor on one side, and on the other the magnificent Pillar, Great Gable, and the Scafells.
1. The walk begins at the village of Buttermere where there is a rather expensive pay-and-display car park (£6) or there is a limited amount of parking on the roadside verge on the hill up to Newlands Hause. From the Fish hotel follow the lane towards the lake but watch out for a gated lane going off to the right after approximately 30 yards. Follow this passing through a field to reach a stone arched bridge across the river where you pick up the lakeside trail. The path tracks along the edge of woods for a while and then crosses a bridge before rising gently over open and boggy slopes to reach Scale Force, the Lake District's highest waterfall.
From Red Pike looking down Lingcomb Edge above Crummock Water
4. The view from Red Pike makes all the work in getting here worthwhile. As well as the Buttermere lakes (Buttermere, Crummock and Lowswater) you can see Derwentwater, Ennerdale Water, and Bleaberry Tarn. The mountain views include Grasmoor, Robinson, Pillar, Great Gable and the Scafell group. Now that you have gained the high tops above Buttermere the hard work is over and the continuation is an absolute delight.
5. The next stage is a ¾ mile walk with 200 feet of descent and 350 feet of ascent to the summit of High Stile. This is the highest point of the traverse at 2644ft.
6. The ridge walk continues along the edge which defines Burtness Comb. It is a walk of 1 mile with little in the way of ascent or descent to High Crag. At this point the Scafell group and Great Gable take over from Pillar as the most splendid of mountain objects visible. Nearer to hand is the charming little top of Haystacks and the majestic Fleetwith Pike at the head of Buttermere.
Looking to Seat from High Crag with Haystacks beyond the Scarth Gap
Route Map
Click in the map for larger scale version
Elevation Profile
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Heading towards Crummock water at the start of the walk
2. A red stone staircase starts the climb beside the beck emerging in a deep cutting between slopes of heather. The path splits here with the main track following Scale Beck for a while and then turning up a tributary stream to climb to Lingcomb Edge. The other path climbs more directly to the start of Lingcomb Edge and is somewhat vague at times.
3. Lingcomb Edge is a ridge which rises from Scales and runs south to Red Pike. It is not well defined at its northern end but as it rises, a tremendous east face develops dropping steeply down to Ling Comb and the fields of Buttermere beyond. This provides a delightful walk to the foot of the steep final climb to the summit of Red Pike.
Looking from Red Pike to High Stile with Pillar beyond
7. The traverse of the Buttermere tops is now nearly complete. There is yet one more top to cross which is given the fairly common Cumbrian fell name of 'Seat'. This summit doesn't make it into Wainwright's definitive list of Lakeland fells but is nevertheless a true summit and marks the end of the High Stile group. The views of Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and Dubs Quarry above Warnscale Bottom are excellent.
8. A steep descent of some 550 feet brings you to Scarth Gap once a key trade route between the valleys of Buttermere and Ennerdale
9. It is possible though not particularly recommended, to miss out Seat and the Scarth Gap by dropping directly down Gamlin End from the summit of High Crag following a vague track which descends the loose scree slopes of Gamlin End.
10. From Scarth Gap a wide and much used trail descends to Buttermere Lake. All that remains is a delightful stroll through the woods beside the lake with lovely retrospective views of Fleetwith Pike, to reach your starting point and a welcome pint at the Fish Hotel.
Looking back at Fleetwith Pike from the lakeside walk.
3D Route Map
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