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--------- High Level Summer





From now till the end of September...

Or see:
High Level - Autumn 2010


5-9 Aug - Int & Slow High Great Langdale
Small hotel - Brenda & Marian - Lake District
4 nights full board: £380

Great Langdale has some of the most exciting walking in the Lake District - and on this holiday you'll have a choice of Intermediate and Slow High walks each day!

Fuller detail
Reaching the top of Pike O Stickle!This Great Langdale holiday offers you a choice of walks each day so that you can stretch or take it easy according to how you feel. 'Slow High' walks are high level walks taken at a slower pace. The holiday is based at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale - a lovely old building with charm and character located beneath the Langdale Pikes. From here we will have Lingmoor Fell, Pike O'Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell right on our doorstep. The Coniston Fells will also be within reach, and of course, the shapely Langdale Pikes will be a 'must' for both groups, offering magnificent views from their rocky tops. The ODG offers a good mix of shared and single rooms, some of which have ensuite facilities while others are standard with a washbasin and a bathroom nearby. Most of the bedrooms have good views of the valley and the surrounding fells. The inn has a popular Hikers Bar which we can enjoy after our walks, and dinner will be served in the dining room at 7pm. Well-behaved dogs are allowed. (Extra nights: £63.00 full board).

See photos from a previous year's Int & Slow High Gt Langdale break?
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Travel - nearest train station: Windermere (+ bus or shared lift/taxi from station to the hotel).

For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.
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Price includes: 4 nights at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Staying in ensuite or standard twins. Single rooms are available (Single supplements per night: Standard single £5; Std double as a single: £10. Ensuite double as a single: £15).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals + guided walks.


You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335




19-27 Aug - High Alpine Jungfrau Full
High Alpine - Sara B - Inns, & refuges - Swiss Alps
8 nights part board (ex. flight/train): £685

The Jungfrau Tour is a classic Alpine trek with superb Swiss Alps scenery to rival the TMB. You carry your extra gear throughout (spare clothes & sheet sleeping bag).

Fuller detail
Accommodations with amazing locations!The Tour of the Jungfrau region (TJR) is a horseshoe trek among some of the most spectacular scenery in all the Alps. It is a journey into the Bernese Oberland that will leave you awestruck: ridges, summits and passes, glaciers, waterfalls, gorges, beautiful mountain lakes, and always the extraordinary backdrop of the Eiger, Wetterhorn, Silberhorn, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Most of the places you stay are in atmospheric locations with breathtaking views, ranging from Alpine refuges with bunk beds and mattress platforms to comfortable small hotels with twin rooms. At certain points the trek includes short sections of fixed cables and some exposed sections that will stretch your comfort zone. No luggage transport is feasible, so you carry the extra clothes you need in your pack. At the mid point of the trek you'll walk the famous Eiger trail to the foot of the Eiger's north face where the summit will feel within arms' reach. Yet while this trek is strenuous, none of it is technical or at altitude. All bedding is provided so you'll only need a sheet liner. Spare gear can be kept to a minimum, and any unwanted travel gear can be left at the hotel in Interlaken where the holiday starts and finishes. You can catch the train there from either Geneva or Zurich airport, buying your ticket at the airport station for approximately £54 return. Alternatively you can do the whole journey by train from the UK, leaving in the morning and arriving in Interlaken at 19.35 for approximately £123 return. Whether you fly/train or train/train, we can help you book your tickets. The amazing mountain train from Interlaken to the start and end of the trek is included in the price. Guided by Sara B who will meet you in Interlaken station. Group size 8 max.

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Travel - flight or train to Interlaken is not included: You can fly to Geneva or Zurich from several UK airports & take the train from the airport to Interlaken. Alternatively you can take the train from the UK to Interlaken (from £123 return, taking all day).

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Price includes: 8 nights part board in Inns or small hotels, Pensions, and refuges
Sleeping in 2-3 bedded rooms, dormitories, or on refuge mattress platforms.

Includes: breakfasts & 6 evening meals; mountain train & mountain bus beyond Interlaken to reach start of trek.
Not included: flight or train to Interlaken; lunches - for lunch we will stop at huts & refuges along the way - from £6-£9; 2 evening meals.


You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335




21-25 Aug - Int & Slow High Borrowdale
Walking centre - Lorraine & Sally - Lake District
4 nights full board: £315

4 days of wonderful walks on the fells of Borrowdale with a choice of Intermediate or Slow High walks each day: you can choose each day and swap grades if need be.

Fuller detail
Walking towards Haystacks.This 4-night holiday with Lorraine & Sally stays at Glaramara Centre in Borrowdale and offers a choice of Intermediate and Slow High walks each day. You can choose which grade you prefer and swap the next day if need be. Slow High walks are high level walks taken at a slower, more intermediate, pace. For Intermediate walks we might warm up on a walk to Watendlath Tarn via Rosthwaite with fabulous views back to the valley. We will also include the fabulous High Spy ridge where our efforts will be rewarded with views in all directions and a lovely descent overlooking Derwent Water. On other days we might be tempted by Haystacks near Buttermere - Wainwrights's favourite fell, or rocky Glaramara - the fell across the valley where we'll pass waterfalls on our way to the summit. Slow High walks could start with rocky Glaramara across the valley, perhaps continuing beyond over Allen Crags, to descend next to a tumbling beck. On another day we might climb steadily to Dale Head for views of all the Central Fells, then return via Honister Pass to finish along an old miners track. Great Gable will also be within our range, leaving something shorter and lower for our last day... For this holiday we are staying at the Glaramara Centre near Seatoller. Though its decor is simple and like a hostel in some respects, Glaramara has plenty of single rooms without a supplement, serves delicious food, and is fantastic value in every way. It has a bar and a large comfy lounge, and the general atmosphere is warm and friendly.

See photos & feeback from a previous year's Intermediate holiday? (in March)
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Travel - nearest train station: Penrith Station, then bus from the station to Keswick, and bus up the valley.

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Price includes: 4 nights at Glaramara Centre
Staying in standard single rooms (without a supplement).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, & evening meals, & a choice of guided walks each day.


You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335




4-10 Sep - High Level Glencoe
Chalets - Anita - Scottish Highlands
6 nights partl board: £440

A repeat of this exciting new high level holiday in the Scottish Highlands, easily accessible by train, and everyone can have a single room!

Fuller detail
Glencoe.This 6 night holiday to Glencoe will stay in chalet accomodation at Inchree Centre overlooking Loch Linnhe and the Corran Ferry. You will have seen post card photos of the magnificent scenery of this famous glen - with its 3 huge buttresses looking stunning in the sunshine, or moody and threatening in dark weather. Our choice of walks will depend on weather and local conditions and could include: the Ballachulish Horseshoe Beinn a Bheithir - a lovely ridgewalk with coastal views; Buachaille Etive Mor via Coire Tulaich; Buchaille Etive Beag; up to Sron Gharbh and back along the West Highland Way for views across to the Mamores and start of the Aonach Eagach ridge. If our legs are up to it, Bidean nam Bian, the biggest of the Glencoe hills at 1150m or even one of the Mamores from Kinlochleven will also be within our reach. When the forecast is good we'll have transport around to Glen Nevis via Fort William to 'do the Ben' - at 1343, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK. For off days there are lovely valley walks and lower hills, Fort William is 10 miles away by bus, and Ballachulish and Glencoe villages have small shops and pubs. The chalets at Inchree Centre have 2-3 bedrooms each, and everyone can have a single room. This holiday is easy to reach by car, by train to Fort William, or by flight to Glasgow then train. We will arrange a 4pm shared taxi from Fort William station to Inchree. Breakfasts & packed lunches are included in the price. Evening meals are not included - from £12. We will take our meals in the Centre's diningroom. Guided by Anita.

Travel - nearest train station: Fort William, then 4pm shared taxi for the 10 miles to Inchree Centre.

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Price includes: 6 nights at Inchree Centre
All staying in standard single rooms sharing the bathroom with 1-2 other women in the group (no single supplement).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, all transport to walks, & guided walks.


You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335




24-26 Sep - High Level Grasmere w/e
Guest house - Anne - Lake District
2 nights full board: £170

A weekend break with Anne offering a fine choice of high level walks from the Langdale Pikes to the classic Fairfield Horseshoe or Helvellyn.

Fuller detail
On the Langdale Pikes.An autumn w/e for some great high walks from Grasmere - choosing between the Fairfield Horseshoe with its striking views towards Striding Edge, or Helvellyn via Grisedale Tarn with all of Thirlmere before us as we descend. Then on the Sunday there will hopefully be time for the Langdale Pikes from Great Langdale or the wonderful Helm Crag ridge before travelling home - so don't book your train home too early! The weekend is based at Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere which has lovely rooms and plenty of singles, excellent food, and a large garden with views in 3 directions.

See photos & feedback from a previous High Level Grasmere w/e? (was a w/e also with Intermediate walks)
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Travel - nearest train station: Windermere, then regular, frequent bus service from the station forecourt to the bus stop in Grasmere, 4 minutes walk from Glenthorne G/H.

For full Accommodation, Grade, & Guide information - click the buttons below or use left hand menu links.
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Price includes: 2 nights at Glenthorne Guest House
Staying in ensuite twins or standard single without a supplement. Ensuite singles available (ensuite single supplement £10 a night).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals + guided walks.


You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335



Or see:
High Level - Autumn 2010


High Level grades explained...

There are now 3 high level grades: Slow High, High Level, and Alpine High. You can see the differences between them below:

All the WalkingWomen grades.











Slow High - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

Reaching above the longest steep section.We introduced the Slow High grade last year after talking to women who come on the holidays, and it has proved a huge success! Many women love high level walks - and may always have loved them - but now find they want to take them at a slower pace. For other women, 'high level' is the next step up, but it's still an unknown quantity and they worry about slowing others down. If these concerns have stopped you from choosing our High Level grade - even though you feel, or know, you have the stamina to cope with long 'ups' and 'downs' and long walking days, then this new grade is for you! Slow High walks will be similar to High Level walks in all other respects - see below - but will be taken at a slower pace with more stops along the way. The walking day may be a little longer than usual, and as a result we arrange them in Spring and Summer. (Intermediate walks are also offered at the same time so that you can vary your walks or swap to Intermediate if you find you prefer it).


High level - 8-12 miles, average 900m up & down

Getting onto rock at times at High Level!High Level walks are 'mountain' walks, offering the most exciting and dramatic views - wild crags where buzzards and ravens fly, expansive views, deserted high level lakes, and wonderful long ridges with views to the valleys below. The walks will be from 8-12 miles in length, and have an ascent and descent of up to 1000m (3300ft). The secret of getting up there is to take the 'ups' at a steady pace without so many stops that you keep losing your second wind. The gradients will vary over the day, but will generally include longer steep sections High level walking in the Lakes.than the intermediate grades, with 1.5-2 hours of ascent overall. In general, the higher you go, the rockier the paths get, and in places you may use your hands; some high level walks can be unnerving for vertigo sufferers.

If you have reasonable balance for walking on rocky uneven ground and know you have the leg, heart, and lung fitness to cope with sustained exertion - either from recent hill walking or in some other sport - these wonderful walks could be for you! (See alsoIntermediate, High Intermediate, & Slow High above).


High Alpine - 8-14 miles, 850-1400m up & down

Ibex in Gran Paradiso - July 2001.The high level holidays that are graded 'High Alpine' have some of the most stunning walks we offer - soaring views of snow-clad peaks, glaciers, ice-covered mountain lakes, and alpine flowers all around. However, on certain days, there will be more length or ascent than normal High Level walks - up to 14 miles a day and 1400m (4600ft) ascent/descent. On some holidays you may experience some altitude effects - e.g. headaches or shortness of breath. Ascending to Colle dela Terra - with 1300m of descent on the other side!As a result, these wonderful mountains may require you to pace yourself, e.g. by swapping to an intermediate walk in Gran Paradiso and Bulgaria. On the Langtang Trek in Nepal we build in acclimatising days to diminish the effects of altitude, and you may need to take it easy then.

If you're a hill walker with good knees and stamina, who wants more of a challenge and incredible views, these wonderful walks could be for you! If you are not already a hill walker, Gran Paradiso or Bulgaria offer a choice of grades each day and are the safest High Alpine holidays to try first.



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The paintings on this site are Rosie Jeffries or Sarah Burt. The Lake District Map is Autoroute. The photos are and curtesy of whoever they are attributed to. The rest of the contents and photos areWalkingWomen.