Cross-country journey through valleys, fells, and lakes
The Cumbria Way crosses the Lake District National Park, linking the market town of Ulverston in the south with Carlisle near the Scottish border. The route moves through the interior of the landscape, connecting valleys, lakes, rivers, and passes to form a continuous journey across the heart of the region.
Walking the Cumbria Way is shaped by contrast. Woodland paths and riverside tracks lead into open fell crossings, while quiet valley floors are balanced by higher ground where views stretch across lakes and surrounding hills. The landscape unfolds gradually, shaped by water, stone, and long-established farming, with a steady rhythm that alternates between enclosure and openness.
Much of the trail passes through familiar Lakeland places — Coniston, Langdale, Grasmere, and Keswick — yet the experience between them often feels calmer than expected. Long sections unfold away from roads and busy centres, following old tracks, river valleys, and lesser-used passes that reveal a slower, more grounded side of the Lake District.
This landscape is internationally recognised as part of the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its long relationship between people, farming, and upland land use. That history remains visible along the route, where villages, field boundaries, and paths feel closely tied to the land.
The Cumbria Way offers a human-scale passage through Cumbria, where movement between places matters as much as the destinations themselves. For walkers, its appeal lies in balance — enough ascent and variety to feel purposeful, combined with clear routes and regular settlements that anchor the journey across one of North West England’s most varied walking landscapes.
Trail Overview
Distance
Approximately 70 miles / 112 km
Typical time on foot
5–7 days
Start
Ulverston, Cumbria
Finish
Carlisle, Cumbria
Terrain
Valley paths, woodland tracks, riversides, and upland crossings
