North West England

Mountains, Coastlines, Lakes, and Long-Distance Routes

From the mountains and lakes of Cumbria to the coastline of Lancashire, Cheshire, and the Isle of Man, North West England contains a diverse network of routes, landscapes, and places shaped by geology, industry, and centuries of movement through the land. Trails such as the Cumbria Way, Coast to Coast Path, Dales Way, and Pennine Way reveal many of these environments, while landscapes including the Lake District National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape, and Forest of Bowland National Landscape showcase some of the region's most distinctive natural environments.

Long-distance routes pass through mountain terrain, lakeside landscapes, river valleys, woodland, coastline, and open countryside, linking historic settlements, market towns, and protected landscapes across the region. Together, these routes and landscapes reveal the character of North West England while providing opportunities to explore at a slower pace through self-guided travel and independent exploration.