Walking and Climbing

Where are you based? Got a necessary start/finish point? Moving around?B+B? Campsite/wildcamp?

How far do you like to walk in a day?

Leave the car at Buttermere.

Red Pike, High Stile Ridge, Pillar via High Level Path, Scoat Fell, t'other Red Pike, Yewbarrow, beer at Wasdale Head, Kirk Fell (from Black Sail Pass), Great Gable (via Sphinx Ridge from Climbers' traverse if you like a bit of scrambly stuff), Green Gable, Brandreth, Haystacks, beer in Bridge Hotel, back to car.

Two (ish) dayers don't get much better.

Best walk in the Lakes? Blimey, how long's a piece of string? There are just so many...

But as a first look round the area, wot Mrs N suggests would be hard to beat (especially the bit about the Wasdale Head Inn).

As just one among many many alternatives, you could camp at the NT's Great Langdale campsite (bit expensive but good facilities and two pubs within walking distance) to explore the Langdale Pikes and Blea Rig, then on to Crinkle Crags and Bowfell.

In the Lakes you're spoilt for choice. I hope you enjoy it wherever you go

Yup. And get a copy of the Harvey/BMC Lakes map. Fantastic for spreading out on the floor and drooling over.

Weather's going to be great. I'm not jealous in the slightest. Git.

Except IMHO the Bridge Hotel has gone downhill recently (well over the last two years) so I'd personally end up at the simpler (less typical Cumbrian pub) Fish Inn a bit further back. It has simple, honest food at good prices and I reckon the beer is kept better too. That is the only difference to Mrs. Nesbit's idea. That is a really nice walk.

Another one could be the Greater Langdale Horseshoe (with added bits according to your desires). Basically I'd start at that little free carpark up the hill and straight across the main Langdale road from Elterwater village. Take the Langdales road from Ambleside and at the crossroads where you turn left to get to Elterwater you turn right instead and about 20 yards up the hill is a decent sized, free carpark. That is safe for cars overnight.

Then you walk into Elterwater and walk over Lingmoor (or is it Lingmell I always get them mixed up). Basically it is the one on the southern side of the valley and has probably THE best views of the Langdale Pikes. Then walk over that and Pike o BLisco, Crinkles (Cold Pike and Little Stand before the Crinkles if needed and a relative hills on right on way to Crinkles if ticking as it is just off the path). Then Bowfell and Esk Pike and can add more on before heading back over Langdale Pikes, Blea Rigg and car. Can add Scafell Pike too if you wish, it really is your oyster there.

However, most people would find Mrs., Nesbit's route nicer just that I dislike the Red Pike to Haystacks section for some totally irrational reason.

Well I'm gonna be in another country at the weekend...Yorkshire! Otherwise I'd gate crash your trip!!

The Lakes is a nice area though.

One more idea. You said you like long days, how long?? Look at the Charnley Way. It is a day's fell race (well used to be) and makes a good hostel 3 dayer but if you are fit and like a challenge it would make a great 2 dayer too. It links three great valleys together with a central hub at the Charnley Cairn. Links Langdales with Eskdale and IIRC Borrowdale too. Kind of three loops meeting at the centre (where if you find a suitable stash point you could leave kit so carry less if doing it over three days that is).

BTW you can google Charnlet way and get some good route descriptions then its a case of drooling over the BMC map to put it together.

Lakes are truly made for 2 day trips I reckon. So compact with roads and villages (and their pubs) just located in the right places.

Neither do I... I wear fell shoes all year round without problems so don't know what classes as appropriate footwear to most people!

It was nice in the Coniston area, only wet where it usually is wet but that is mostly a dry walk apart from going down Wetherlam. I suspect I'd avoid the High Tove ridge heading north!! I'm sure some of the locals will know what its like up there (over knee height bog and water on one of my walks).