The Cumbria Way Walk traverses the Lake District National Park from south to north, conveniently fitting into six days of steady walking. The route begins in Ulverston on the southern edge of the Lake District and continues north through the National Park by way of Coniston, Langdale, Borrowdale and Keswick, to end in the cathedral city of Carlisle. The Cumbria Way follows the valleys, and passes through some of the best scenery in the Lake District.

 Grade: The Cumbria Way is graded as easy/moderate

View Cumbria Way in a larger map

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive in Ulverston (has railway station) where your accommodation has been booked.

Day 2 Ulverston to Coniston A longish first day begins across field paths and soon enters the National Park, with fine views of Coniston Old Man and other peaks ahead. The latter part of the walk is truly delightful as you follow the shore of Coniston Water to the village of Coniston. ~ 15 miles

 Day 3 Coniston to Langdale Into the heart of the Lake District now, the Cumbria Way Walk passes lovely Tarn Hows and crosses the River Brathay at Skelwith Bridge. The glacial valley of Langdale is dominated by the surrounding peaks. ~ 11 miles

Day 4 Langdale to Rosthwaite Today the route takes you to the head of Langdale and then crosses the Stake Pass before descending into Langstrath Dale. On then into Borrowdale and your overnight stop in Rosthwaite. ~ 9 miles

Day 5 Rosthwaite to Keswick An easy, but delightful day in Borrowdale and following the shores of Derwentwater, and with plenty of time to look around the town of Keswick and perhaps take a boat trip on Derwentwater. ~ 8 miles

Day 6 Keswick to CaldbeckThe path circles around the back of Skiddaw to the isolated Skiddaw House, from where you have two alternative routes. The shorter goes up over High Pike, while the longer keeps to the valley, and passes the spectacular Whitewater Dash waterfall. The routes rejoin for the last couple of miles into Caldbeck. ~ 14 or 17 miles

 Day 7 Caldbeck to Carlisle Leaving the National Park, you now follow the River Caldew all the way into the pleasant small city of Carlisle (has railway station) and the end of the Cumbria Way. ~ 14 miles

Day 8 Departure.


USEFUL INFORMATION


Meals


You will normally be staying in a town or village where there is at least one place to buy an evening meal. On the rare occasion that this is not possible then we will book you into an accommodation which provides an evening meal (not included in the holiday price).

Lunches can usually be bought on route and we can advise you of the days when this is not possible. On these days you can book a packed lunch from your accommodation by letting them know the night before or we can book it for you. These usually cost about £5.00. Most towns and villages in which you stay have shops where you can buy items to make up your own packed lunch.


When to Go


April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking or cycling. September tends to be one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have taken their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather is much more changeable.



Getting there
Arrival:
Manchester is the closest major city with an excellent international airport and a direct rail link to Ulverston taking just over two hours.
If travelling from London Euston then you can travel to Ulverston by rail via Lancaster.

Departure:
Carlisle offers both a train and bus station with links to the rest of the country and it will take approximately four hours direct to reach London Euston. There are also direct trains to Glasgow and Edinburgh.