Walking With Wolves In The Lake District

This is probably the most special day trip I've ever been on. I investigated activities in the area nearby where we were staying at The Blue House B and B. And I mean really nearby - and stumbled across one of the greatest animal experiences I have ever encountered. It looked incredible but boy was I in for a surprise - this is an up close and personal hour of getting to know about two very exciting creatures.

Sadly we were out of focus but the trip was amazing!

Just around the corner from where we were staying, is The Predator Experience. With my famously terrible sense of direction, I still managed to take us off in the wrong direction but you'd have to be blind not to see it.


As you can see though, we got there in the end, allbeit slightly late.

To preserve the beauty of the area, there are no signposts but you soon spot the sign on a peaceful, residential looking plot, We had no idea there were big predators in there!

We met hosts Dee and Daniel at their door who popped us into a jeep and drove us off to where we'd be walking with the wolves. Or so I presumed. Dee pointed to something behind us and we turned our heads to reveal two gargantuan (and gorgeous) wolves, Maska and Kajika, sat in the boot behind us!

It was then that it dawned on me that we were going to be walking at a nearby lake with these two beauties on leashes.

The walk was set against magical scenery

As soon as we hopped out of the jeep we were briefed by the impressive and knowledgable guides. I was very excited, and a bit scared at this point and went very quiet. I suppose it had never crossed my mind that we ourselves would be handling the wolves (with help, of course) and I came over very, very nervous. They're a lot bigger than your regular domestic pooch, and a little bit intimidating.

After a few minutes of walking Kajika with one of the guides (Ben has Maska for the first half of the trip), I was fine and totally enamoured.

Maska and Kajika are incredible creatures

It was raining (that horrible misty rain), and I'd brought my trusty old fossil of a camera but when you've got your hands full with these extremely strong, amazing wolves - there's not a lot of time for photo taking.

Luckily the guides had already thought of this, they stopped for a photo op and continued their presentation before we turned around and came back. They also very kindly took our picture although my camera couldn't focus in the rain (boo!).

And as a bit of an enthusiast, I can tell you that this is one of the best wildlife photography opportunities I've ever had. I love photographing animals. I've not seen anything better anywhere else and camera lovers would be silly to pass this up if they're staying nearby.

Don't be fooled - these amazing wolves aren't like dogs at all

The round walk lasted about 45 mins to an hour and Dee and Daniel taught us all about these hybrid wolves on the journey. They usually take groups of four but as I was covering this for Woman's Weekly magazine, it was just Ben and I on this one (and my, did we feel priveleged!).

Dee told us that the wolves' sense of smell was exponentially more sensitive than a household dog's. And we saw it in action - Ben took a tumble on one of the grassy banks on the way up, and on the way down, Kajika went to sniff the area and came over to have a whiff of Ben to make sure he was alright. It was very sweet.

The guides have a fascinating relationship with the wolves

The social behaviours were fascinating, and you can tell that guides Dee and Daniel are very much 'part of the pack'.

These hybrid wolves are exceptionally smart and although we were allowed to pet them (on extremely thick, waterproof fur, I might add - I was jealous of them on this walk!), we were told that they wouldn't 'get it' or respond (shock horror, they didn't!). But hey, we still got to touch these amazing creatures - how many people can say they'd done that?

We learned all about the fascinating mythology behind wolves raising children, big bad wolves in horror stories and werewolves.

I won't spoil it all because you ought to go, really - but did you know that when The Plague was rife, wolves would be seen emerging from the pits where the bodies were stacked?

You can imagine on a misty night to paranoid dwellers that this might look like the dead arising and coming back to life... as wolves. Hence werewolves. So many fascinating stories like that had me engrossed.

I don't spend much of my time quiet (ask anyone in the office) but I was gobsmacked for the duration of this trip. I just couldn't believe that we'd spent our morning in such close proximity to such wild animals.

They don't do tricks or anything, they are very much their own entity and I have the utmost respect for them. I do feel stupid for thinking that they were just big dogs.

All budding photographers should make sure they get to this if they're in the area. Not to be missed.

My other half has got a dicky shoulder and the guides were able to support him with this - they do help you hold the reigns and the terrain wasn't too bad, we quite like a decent walk. But if the weather is anything like it was on our day, make sure you put walking boots and waterproofs on!

Obviously make sure you have a camera - and something on which to record video. Because the tour ends with something you won't be able to see anywhere else.

When we strolled back to the jeep, the wolves hopped in, and Dee continued to educate us about the social nature of these creatures. She introduced us to the idea of the 'social bonding howl', which she starts to do and the other wolves joined in. I was so moved I was in tears! Check it out...

Honestly, it's probably the best thing I've ever done in the Lake District ever. Don't be put off by the price, it is worth every penny (and more!).

To Dee and Daniel; thank you for having us, you have completely changed my outlook on wolves and gave us a spectacular morning which surpassed all expectations. I'll be recommending it to everyone I know who goes up there! All the best in the future.