Trip Description
The Lake District is England’s largest national park and a world-class swimming destination, the Great Lake District Swim Challenge West is to swim all the swim-able Lakes in the Lake District. This trip covers the western Lake District and its seven Lakes or meres in 2 days.
The challenge in this non-stop action packed 2 day trip is to swim across all 7 of the western Lakes and to journey between them via the spectacular geography of the Lake District National Park as our Lakes are nestled in the valley’s between huge mountain ranges which we have to negotiate around. This ensures the views from the swim bus are as breath-taking as the swims themselves.
Swim Ability & Fitness Level: Suitable for confident outdoor swimmers, who are comfortable in open water (Lakes or Sea), and can swim 2 miles comfortably in one session and can swim one mile in 45mins or less. Requires good swimming fitness. Involves some walking.
Swim Challenge West Itinerary:
See the Itinerary / Accommodation/ Info tabs on the left for more information. A complete trip itinerary will be emailed after booking.
Swim Challenge West What’ s Included:
- Qualified & experienced swimming guides and mountain leader
- Private luxury swim-bus travel between swims
- Kayak safety cover & floats where appropriate
- A bright Swim the Lakes swim cap
- 2 nights accommodation
- All meals are included.
- Parking at the accommodation is free subject to availability. Extra parking is available for a charge.
Swim Challenge West Customer Testimonials:
This was without doubt the best swim I’ve done this year! Thank you Andrea and Pete for an amazing adventure. Steve.
West lakes was an amazing experience last year. Looking forward to East lakes in August! Michelle
More swim testimonials here
Any Queries? We are happy to help. Please ring 015394 33826
Complete the challenge with The Great Lake District Swim Challenge EAST
ITINERARY
On day one you have time to decompress before we meet at 4pm at Keswick YHA for introductions, a quick swim, full briefing and group introductions.
Its an early start on day two as we have a lot to fit in, we jump aboard our accompanying swim bus for the start of our epic journey. We will swim two widths of each of the our lakes in most cases, varying the route depending on the weather. Along the way we pass classic mountain ranges such as Black Combe, Scafell and the Derwent Fells.
At the end of the first day, we’ll have chance to catch our breath, a hot drink and snack from our swim bus. We head back to our welcome rest in Keswick via the infamous Newlands valley one of the classic Lake District Passes. Back at base it’s tea, dinner, wine and bed, but not necessarily in that order!
Day three morning sees us jump back in the swim bus . Then we conquer the open expanse of Bassenthwaite Lake with stops to complete our challenge.
We swim through our itinerary swiftly moving from one Lake to the next and swimming across each in turn. It involves some walking into access and exit points. A full itinerary will be emailed to our swimmers upon booking.
Great Lake District Swim Challenge WEST Statistics:-
Swim Total: 10km (approx)
Longest v Shortest Swim: 2000m v 1000m
Lakes: 7
Journey Miles: 108
Lake District Passes: Newlands Hause (at 333m its our highest point)
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable Accommodation at Keswick YHA
This is an inclusive trip, so once you have arrived you can focus on your challenge and enjoy the ride.
Accommodation is in small dorm rooms, usually between 4 -6 beds, private to our group members only. It’s clean, fun and very informal but if it’s not to your taste you are welcome to arrange alternative accommodation, although we cannot issue any refund on the cost of your booking.
Keswick YHA is on the edge of Keswick, overlooking the River Greta and Fitz Park its close to Latrigg and Skiddaw. Its less than four minutes’ walk to town centre and less than ten minutes’ walk to the Lake. With hot showers and drying facilities you are sorted for a fantastic swimming adventure.
https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/keswick
ESSENTIAL INFO
Swimmer Ability: This is a swim for experienced open water swimmers who can comfortably swim two miles in open water in less than 1hr 40mins. Although this is a fun and relaxed trip, we have a lot of lakes to get through and the first day can be quite tough. We’ll be looking after you all the way but this is not a trip for those new to outdoor swimming. If you are consistently swimming below our recommended swim speed, we may have to cut you swim short or give you a lift in our support boats for the safety and wellbeing of the whole group. This is not a problem for our swim guide team to arrange (and every one of our swimmers will be made very welcome) but we do expect your complete compliance in adhering to their decisions with respect to group safety and for the smooth running of the day.
Wetsuits: Swims are in wetsuits for this trip, please mention at the time of booking if you’d like to hire one.
If you’d like to swim without a wetsuit please contact us to discuss your relevant swimming experience, thanks.
Group Size: min – max: 8 – 15
Deposit: If you are paying a deposit please remember your outstanding balance must be with us at least 10 weeks before your trip start date. As we do not send reminders we advised you to put this date in your calendar now. Balances can be paid by ringing us with your card details. See terms & Conditions for more info.
Cancellations
For information on cancellations by us and by you please see our full terms here
See terms & Conditions for more info.
Confirmation Email: We will send an automated confirmation email after booking, please check your ‘spam folder’ etc.
Trip Caution: Open water swimming by its very nature involves a natural outdoor environment. Although unlikely, but there is always a possibility that we may need to make changes to the trip / itinerary due to for example weather conditions, water conditions or other issues that may affect safe operation or organisation.
Please read our Swim Trip FAQ’s to ensure you are well prepared and get the most from your swimming adventure.
T&C’s
All participants must be 16 years or over, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
By booking you are agreeing to our booking terms and conditions here
Swim Trips FAQ’s
For more information such as kit suggestions, fitness levels please read our Swim Trips FAQ’S here.
Happy Swimming
Pete & Andrea
Simon Wallis –
Excellent w/e of Open Water Swimming; well supported, friendly, welcoming non competitive atmosphere
Well done Pete Andy & Tors.
Margot –
Swim the Lakes was a fantastic opportunity! Thank you my mate Sue, All Swim the Lakes staff who were enthusiastic, supportive and well organised!
Thank you all for your company and great swimming together!!!
Nicky –
Dear Pete and Andrea,
Thank you for a brilliant swim weekend. Your team were brilliant and despite the very challenging conditions I always felt safe.
I am pretty sure I will be back to swim the lakes again next year…I know that I will be much more confident after the Western Lakes Challenge. Nicky
Helen –
Hi Pete, Tors and Lianne,
… I can only echo what everyone else has said. It was the most amazing trip ever and I too am still buzzing. You all do a fabulous job and made the trip what it was. It was great to be with such wonderful people and to laugh so much, with a bit of swimming thrown in too! I’ve just uploaded my photos and I think the rest of the day when I’m supposed to be back in the real world will be spent reliving it all.
We hope to be back for the Eastern Lakes next year so look forward to finding out the dates.
Thanks again for a brilliant time. Helen
Mary –
I agree with everything that Helen and the others have said. It was a brilliant few days. It would be difficult to improve on it at all… See you next year, hopefully. Mary
Cathy Servonat-Blanc –
A huge thank you for sharing your special places ……. I had an amazing time and I am having swimming withdrawal symptoms. Photos were aptly timed and cheered me up somewhat. Hope to see you and Tors and Sarah very soon. Many Thanks Cathy
Liz Collins –
It was fantastic both scenery & friends. Liz Collins
Bill Benz –
Thanks for a great trip :). Bill
Sharon –
just to say thanks for a great trip from me too. I really had a fab time and the pics bring back good memories. You guys make even swimming in rainy cold lakes fun. Sharon x
Shelagh Hopkinson –
Thank you to Swim the Lakes for giving me the confidence to swim the Lakes this weekend. You were wonderful. The group was awesome as well – great fun. Shelagh
Helen Davey –
Yet another fabulous swim trip. Thank you x Helen Davey
Rob Pamment –
Thanks for a great experience, both this year and last – something I would have never have imagined I would have done a few years ago, and it has contributed immensely to my confidence in open water. Its been brilliant to spend these days in the company of people so enthusiastic and committed to such a niche pastime – long may it continue!
Cheers, Rob
Margot –
Hi all, Just to say a massive thank you to all the TEAM who made the last few days possible! What a great experience! Challenging, confused waters at times, but Pete, Sarah and Tors (and others) all kept us motivated, safe and happy!
Wow, thank you again. Xxxx Best Wishes Margot ? < °))))><
Swim the Lakes –
Hello Pete,
I just wanted to zip you a very quick thank you for such a fabulous, fun and fulfilling few days. I feel like I have had a really good break and feel really pleased that I managed to do what I did. Everyone could not have been nicer or more supportive. The YHA was superb too.
Please give my thanks and good wishes to Steve and Sarah again and most of all to you for creating this opportunity for the likes of me to enjoy.
Please put me on the list for next year’s swim the lakes in the East!
Kind regards
Jo. ( Shropshire)!=
Lyn Hill –
Hi Pete and team,
just a quick email to say another huge thank you to you and all the team behind organising a wonderful few days in the lakes. we were so so lucky with the weather weren’t we? esp day one!!!
I was chuffed to bit to complete all swims (albeit slowly).
I have made some new friends within the group – all such good people.
I will book on another trip sometime in the future
have a fabbie summer and see you next time I venture up north!
best wishes, Lyn Hill
Swim the Lakes –
I just wanted to zip you a very quick thank you for such a fabulous, fun and fulfilling few days. I feel like I have had a really good break and feel really pleased that I managed to do what I did. Everyone could not have been nicer or more supportive. The YHA was superb too.
Please give my thanks and good wishes to Steve and Sarah again and most of all to you for creating this opportunity for the likes of me to enjoy.
Please put me on the list for next year’s swim the lakes in the East!
Kind regards, Jo.