This page is designed to give you a brief overview of the route and how it breaks down into separate stages - for more detailed information on particular stages and places use the main picture links above to find info such as tourist attractions, more detailed route summary, places to visit, eating and drinking establishments.

At approx. 75 miles long the Cumbria Way is typically walked over 5 or 6 days covering an average distance of 14 miles or so per day. The route seems to naturally break down into 5 stages giving an easy introduction to long distance walking. You can of course spread the trip over less or more days depending on your fitness, experience and inclination. Some walkers take seven or eight leisurely days on the route taking time out spend more time in some of the places en-route or even to climb to climb Coniston Old Man, the Langdale Pikes or Skiddaw!

The Hoad Monument at Ulverston © Dave Harrison
The Hoad Monument at Ulverston

Cumulative distances
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

 

Skelwith Force on the Coniston to Langdale stage © Dave Brown
Skelwith Force on the Coniston to Langdale stage

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!