The Cumbria Way is an exhilarating journey through some of the most beautiful and contrasting landscapes of the county of Cumbria. Stretching from Ulverston to Carlisle the route offers 70 miles of walking through some of the most scenic and inspiring landscapes in Britain, including the enchanting Lake District.
Highlights include:
- Lake District Nat’l Park
- Langdale Pike
- Elterwater
- Cumbria Way
Day 1 Arrive Ulverston, a pretty town located between the shores of Morecambe Bay and the Lake District National Park, surrounded by rolling countryside. (Incidentally, Ulverston isthe birthplace of Stan Laurel, of Laurel and Hardy fame – the Laurel & Hardy museum is on Upper Brook St.). Overnight Ulverston.
Day 2 Walk to Coniston 14 miles/22.4 kms Walk the banks of Ulverston Canal, the deepest and widest in England, built in 1796 to bring goods from from Morecambe Bay to the town center. Continue around Beacon Tarn (and perhaps visit Beacon Fell for its glorious views of the Coniston Fells) and on the shore of Coniston Water, with glorious views. Overnight Coniston.
Day 3 Walk to Great Langdale (Dungeon Ghyll) 12 miles/19.2 kms Tarn Howes, surrounded on three sides by thick woodland, offers glorious views of the Langdale Pike. A short diversion to Colwith Falls is recommended before crossing the River Brathay, passing close to Skelwith Force waterfall and onto Elterwater, probably the least visited lake and one of the
prettiest villages in the lakes. Finish with stunning views of the Langdale Pikes in front of you. Overnight Gt. Langdale.
Day 4 Walk to Keswick 15.6 miles/25 kms The Cumbria Way leaves Dungeon Ghyll by traversing the lower slopes of the Langdale Pikes. The top of the pass is marked by a cairn after walking the moraines of Mart Crag Moor. Perhaps a short detour to Black Moss Pot, much
loved by hardy mountain swimmers. The route heads towards Greenup Gill where after crossing a footbridge over a delightful watersmeet, overlooked by formidable looking Eagle Crag), follow a stony track into Rosthwaite. Follow the River Derwent downstream (choice of stepping stones or a bridge). The route now leads through the steep, wooded Jaws of Borrowdale passing Gowder Dub (good place for cooling hot feet) to Gowder Dub. Short diversion worthwhile to Grange for refreshments, before continuing through Manesty Wood to the shore of Derwentwater. Delightful walking alongside the lake (though a ferry is available) to Keswick for overnight.
Day 5 Walk to Caldbeck 14/16 miles/22.4/25.6 miles Choice of high level route or low level route today. Experienced walkers may like to take the high route over High Pike (the highest
point on the Cumbria Way at 2157ft/658m, with great views as far as the Scottish hills), whilst others may prefer the slightly longer low-level route that skirts the fells. The low-level route is easier and safer if the weather is bad. The 12th century St Kentigern’s Church at Caldbeck is the resting place of the renowned local huntsman, John Peel. Overnight Caldbeck.
Day 6 Walk to Carlisle 14 miles/22.4 kms Cross the river near the church and continue into Sebergham. Head downstream along a riverside path by the delightful River Caldew to Rose Castle, the official residence of the Bishop of Carlisle. Later rejoin the River Caldew and a stretch of the Hadrian Wall path to Cummersdale and finally to journey’s end at the Market
Cross in Carlisle.
Day 6 Departure after breakfast.
Dates & Prices:
Tour prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement is only applicable if you are traveling solo and/or have a room to yourself.
Tour
Dates |
Tour
Price |
Single
Supplement |
| May to October |
$1,330/per person |
TBD |
What's Included:
Your trip price includes the following. For additional information, please call or email us at
and one of our exceptional Travel Advisors will be happy to share with you all kinds of details.
- 6 nights' lodging in quaint and authentic English B&Bs and Inns
- Double-occupancy room with private bath
- Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Trail maps and route notes
- Local emergeny contact
“Meals at our
hotel were superb, outstanding. Pub lunches
were excellent. Our guide’s leadership
was a high point of the trip — his
knowledge of the region (topography, history,
social and cultural characteristics), his
overall concern for the group, his keen
insight and well-developed sense of humor
were magnificent.”
D Swoap Clearwater, FL
“For the Cotswolds — an
area steeped in history — one needs
a guide who is steeped in the knowledge
of it. Ours met this criterion to the max.”
J & C Tate Malvern, PA
“It was a very
friendly group — helping to make
the tour an excellent experience. Meals
were superb, both the quality of the food
and the serving staff.”
A Matz PA
Best Time to Go
May through September
Convenient Airport
Manchester Airport (MAN)
Traveling By Rail
Northern Rail and TransPennine Express Trains offer direct service from Manchester Airport to Windermere, which makes the journey by public transport very straightforward. For rail information including reservations, time schedules and current fares please refer to BritRail at (800) 677-8585 or www.britrail.com. In the UK call (08457) 484950, or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk. Another useful resource is The Train Line at www.thetrainline.com.
Weather
Follow this link to the Meteorological Office for information on climate and rainfall averages.
