Originally pioneered by local groups of the Ramblers Association during the 1970's the route was devised to give the walker a flavour of Cumbria as a whole rather than just the Lake District. Splitting naturally into 5 stages of approximate 14 miles, each stage offers the walker something different each day.

Although classed as a 'long distance footpath' the route is at the lower end of the distance walking spectrum but stuffed into those 70 odd miles are some of the most varied terrain and stunning scenery to be found anywhere in the British isles.

Most of the walking is on established paths along valley bottoms with only 3 steep ascents and should be achievable by most fit walkers over the course of 5 days or even a week or so with a couple of days off for sightseeing or relaxing along the way. If circumstances don't allow you a full week off then you could easily split the route into sections and treat them as day walks.
Mickleden looking towards Bowfell and Rosset Pike © Sean McMahon
Mickleden looking towards Bowfell and Rossett Pike

Cumbria Way
Cumbria Way DVD
 Cumbria Way

Striding Edge, based in the Lake District, have released a DVD which loosely follows the Cumbria Way from Ulverston to Carlisle.
The Cumbria Way DVD
Eric Robson (and Raq) lead you along the route taking in sights along the way with various diversions.

For more information visit
www.stridingedge.com
     

The church at Chapel Stile as seen from the Cumbria Way
The church at Chapel Stile as seen from the Cumbria Way

The Cumbria Way
Cumulative distances
 The Cumbria Way
Ulverston
Broughton beck
Gawthwaite
Beacon Tarn
Coniston
Tarn Howes
Skelwith Bridge
Elterwater
Dungeon Ghyll
Rosthwaite
Grange
Keswick
Skiddaw House
Lingy Hut
Caldbeck
Sebergham
Dalston
Carlisle

0 miles
3.5 miles
5 miles
9.5 miles
16 miles
19 miles
23.5 miles
25 miles
29 miles
37 miles
39.5 miles
44.5 miles
50 miles
55
60.5 miles
63.5 miles
70.50 miles
75 miles

     

 

Beginning in the market town of Ulverston overlooking Morecambe Bay the route threads its way over gentle, rolling farmland and moorland before arriving at the shores of Coniston and the Lake District proper. You then visit the famous beauty spot of Tarn Howes before heading towards the majestic Langdale Pikes via Elterwater and Chapel Stile.

The wild and rugged valleys of Mickleden and Langstrath separated by the steep ascent of
Stake Pass are next offering magnificent walking in magnificent, remote surroundings. A visit to the small village of Rosthwaite before a glorious, wooded trail through leads you through Borrowdale to Grange eventually bringing you out on the shores of Derwentwater.

After the hustle and bustle of Keswick you walk the flanks of Latrigg and Lonscale Fell coming out at Skiddaw House from where a remote walk over the moorland back o' Skiddaw eventually leads you to the village of Caldbeck. The route into Carlisle now follows the wanderings of the River Caldew as it leads you to your journeys end at the historic border city.




Footprint on the Cumbria Way day one - Ulverston to Coniston - 16 miles
Starting at the Cumbria Way marker sculpture in The Gill at Ulverston the route offers a gentle start across farmland for the first few miles before rising gently to the rugged moorland around Beacon Tarn. A wooded lakeside walk on the shores of Coniston Water brings you to your first stopover at the village of Coniston.


Footprint on the Cumbria Way day two - Coniston to Langdale - 13 miles
Day 2 begins with a steady climb to the popular chocolate box scenery of Tarn Howes with stunning views of the Coniston fells. A gradual drop down towards Colwith and Skelwith Bridge and a walk close to lonely Elterwater brings you to Langdale and a fantastic final 4 or 5 miles up the valley of Great Langdale towards the Langdale Pikes and your second night stop at Dungeon Ghyll.


Footprint on the Cumbria Way day three - Langdale to Keswick - 15.5 miles
The first real climb of the Cumbria Way comes at the end of a two mile walk into secluded Mickleden. After climbing your way up Stake Pass you drop down into the even more secluded Langstrath valley and a rocky and sometimes wet walk brings you to the River Derwent as it meanders its way through Borrowdale towards Derwentwater. A wooded walk along the lake takes you through Portinscale and into the bustling lakeland town of Keswick.


Footprint on the Cumbria Way day four - Keswick to Caldbeck - 16 miles
Today starts with a climb almost all the way up Latrigg and around the shoulder of Lonscale Fell before arriving at isolated Skiddaw House where you make the decision to follow the high level route over High Pike or opt for the more more cautious low level route which skirts the base of the fells. In bad weather the choice is almost always straightforward - go low! Navigation can be tricky on the tops here when the mist comes down although in fair weather I would always opt for the high level route.


Footprint on the Cumbria Way day five - Caldbeck to Carlisle - 15 miles
Just as the first day of your Cumbria Way trip started with gentle rolling farmland and easy tracks so the last day ends - well at least until you hit Carlisle! Keeping for the most part to farmland, woodland walks and tracks following the River Caldew towards Carlisle. This section looks relatively easy on paper but remember that looks are deceptive. Although relatively level all the way to Carlisle you have to remember that you have four days walking under your belt already and maybe the energy levels are dropping a bit!