Exploring North West England
North West England brings together the counties of Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, with landscapes ranging from the mountains and lakes of Cumbria to the river valleys, moorlands, farmland and coastal plains further south. The region includes some of England's highest mountains, extensive areas of upland countryside, historic market towns, industrial heritage and coastal settlements along the Irish Sea.
Protected landscapes preserve some of the region's most distinctive environments. The Lake District National Park encompasses mountains, lakes, valleys and woodlands across central Cumbria, while the Yorkshire Dales National Park extends into the eastern part of the county, with limestone hills, upland valleys and traditional farming landscapes. The Forest of Bowland National Landscape covers moorland, wooded valleys and rural villages across Lancashire and neighbouring areas, while Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape protects limestone hills, woodland, wetlands and the coastal landscapes around Morecambe Bay. The Solway Coast National Landscape follows the estuaries, saltmarshes and coastal countryside of northern Cumbria.
Long-distance trails connect many of these landscapes. The Cumbria Way crosses the Lake District from Ulverston to Carlisle, passing lakes, valleys and mountain scenery. The Coast to Coast Path begins at St Bees on the Cumbrian coast before crossing the Lake District towards the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. The Dales Way begins in Ilkley, Yorkshire, and finishes at Bowness-on-Windermere, while the Pennine Way follows the uplands of northern England, passing through the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines, with connections to the eastern landscapes of Cumbria and Lancashire.
Other established routes explore the region's river valleys, countryside and historic landscapes. The Ribble Way follows the River Ribble from the Lancashire coast towards its source in the Yorkshire Dales, passing through farmland, villages and river landscapes. The Hadrian's Wall Path crosses northern Cumbria towards the Solway coast, following the remains of the Roman frontier. Further south, the Sandstone Trail follows wooded ridges and sandstone escarpments through Cheshire, while the Gritstone Trail explores the hills and countryside along the eastern edge of the county.
Beyond the long-distance trails, North West England offers opportunities to explore lakeside villages, historic towns, nature reserves, coastlines and wild places on foot. From the mountains and valleys of the Lake District to Morecambe Bay, the Forest of Bowland, the Cheshire countryside and the coastlines of Lancashire and Cumbria, the region provides a varied setting for shorter walks, walking breaks and multi-day journeys, with places to stay across its towns, villages and rural landscapes.