Planning

The Pilgrimage isn't the longest of journeys at 275km but given the terrain and the 18,400 metres of ascent, it's likely to take two weeks for most people. Alternatively, you could do bits of the pilgrimage as you fancy, maybe tackling all of the scrambles or even the hostelries!  But the Pilgrimage is best taken as a journey, preferably sleeping on the mountain, at least in part, to become part of the landscape.

Backpacking lets you experience the 'golden hour' at each end of the day

Schedules

Different schedules are provided in our Guide to the Lakeland Pilgrimage.   How long you take is, of course, entirely up to you, and the aim is to use the experience to savour the experience. We have provided 7 day, 2 week and 3 x long weekend schedules in the Guide and these can all be adapted to suit your pace and the length of your days.   To give you an idea of the distances involved, a 12 day schedule might look like this:

Day 1 - Garnett Bridge to Kentmere, 12.7km
Day 2 - Kentmere to Priests Hole, 22.7 km
Day 3 - Priests Hole to Dockray, 24.7 km
Day 4 - Dockray to Castlerigg, 20.1 km
Day 5 - Castlerigg to Buttermere, 24.6 km
Day 6 - Buttermere to Newlands, 20.3 km
Day 7 - Newlands to Black Sail Youth Hostel, 24.4 km
Day 8 - Black Sail Youth Hostel to Wasdale Head, 25.9km
Day 9 - Wasdale Head to Seathwaite, 24.4 km
Day 10 - Seathwaite to Coniston, 17.5 km
Day 11 - Coniston to Rydal, 28 km
Day 12 - Rydal to Garnett Bridge, 26.6 km

Guidebooks and Maps

I recommend using the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps as they give the most detail of field boundaries and are easy to read.  If you want to save weight, the BMC Harveys Map of the whole Lake District is a good choice at 1:40,000 scale.

You'll probably want a scrambling guide if you plan to take in the scrambles and the Cicerone Scrambling Guides to the Lake District are the most comprehensive with clear pictures and route descriptions.  Don't over-plan the route, as part of the joy of a journey like this is exploring new corners.  Using a guide as a backup gives opportunity for surprises.

Dinner on the hill

Getting here

The best way of getting to the start is to take the train to Staveley or Windermere.  You can buy any supplies you need at the supermarket next door and set out right from the station.  If you come by road, remember that parking is very limited at Garnett Bridge and you should park elsewhere.

Accommodation

A tent or bivvy bag gives you much more flexibility on this trip, although you can manage without.  Accommodation options are noted in the route description.  Youth hostels and bunkhouses should be booked in advance, especially in high season and at weekends.  Black Sail Hostel in particular, tends to book well in advance.