High Adventure Private Tour in the Western Lake District: Wrynose, Hardknott & Wastwater
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8–9 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; participants should be comfortable stepping on and off the coach and walking short slopes/viewpoints.
Overview
Explore England’s wild western Lake District in a private, full‑day Mercedes tour: drive the vertiginous Wrynose and Hardknott passes, ride the Ravenglass & Eskdale steam railway, and stand at the shore of Wastwater beneath Scafell Pike. This trip pairs dramatic geology and Roman ruins with practical comforts for small groups.
High Adventure Private Tour in the Western Lake District: Wrynose, Hardknott & Wastwater
Select participants and date
It begins on a cool, overcast morning in Windermere—your private 16‑seat Mercedes idles while the guide lays out the day. The road curls away from town and, within an hour, the engineered quiet of the coach gives way to the raw angles of Cumbria: slate crags, sheep-dotted fellside and the narrow ribbon of tarmac that climbs toward Wrynose and Hardknott. The passes push the vehicle—and your pulse—up steep gradients where hairpin bends reveal valley after valley like pages turning.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress for variable weather
Bring a waterproof jacket and a midlayer—conditions can change rapidly on the passes and at the lakeshore.
Bring motion‑sickness remedies
The bus route includes steep, narrow roads; sit toward the front and pack travel tablets if you’re sensitive.
Check the Ravenglass train times
The narrow‑gauge railway runs to a timetable—confirm departures if you want to ride rather than watch.
Carry small change
Some village pubs and attractions accept cash more readily than card—having £10–£20 can speed up lunch or entry fees.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Red deer
- Grey seals along the coastal estuary
History
Hardknott Roman Fort sits on a steep shoulder of the pass and dates to the 2nd century AD, part of Rome’s network guarding routes through the fells.
Conservation
This area is within the Lake District National Park; visitors are asked to stick to paths where possible to reduce erosion and to pack out litter to protect fragile upland habitats.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Windermere
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof jacket
Keeps wind and rain off during exposed stops on the passes and at Wastwater.
Sturdy walking shoes
Useful for uneven surfaces at viewpoints and the Roman fort.
Binoculars
Helps spot wildlife on the estuary and distant ridgelines.
Camera with wide lens
Wide landscapes and dramatic shorelines benefit from a wide‑angle for memorable images.