You'll walk 112 kilometres through the Lake District taken along its valley floors rather than its tops, with one proper fell crossing and a long, quiet second half. A route that saves its best country for last.
Your trail divides naturally into three parts — not by day, but by country. Limestone farmland gives way to high fells, and the fells fall away into the long quiet of the Caldew Valley.
Limestone farmland gives way to slate villages and oak-shaded lakeshore, and by Great Langdale the high fells are stacked in front of you.
A high pass, a lake-shore tour through the heart of the Lakes, and a final climb into country most walkers remember longest.
The fells fall away behind you, the country quiets, and a long river-walk delivers you to Carlisle.
Most people walk it in 5 days. Some want longer to take it all in. Others want the challenge of doing it quicker. Pick the trip that suits you — or customise yours below.
Included with every trip
Everything you need for every day of your trail — built around your exact itinerary. Your route, your accommodation, your packing list. Ready before you leave, works offline when you're out there.
Tonight's accommodation
Check-in time, room type, phone number and directions — all in one place
Day-by-day trail description
Route map, elevation profile and written description for each stage
Packing list and pre-trip checklist
Everything you need, nothing you don't. Tick items off as you go
Works offline
Open it once with data and it's yours — no signal needed on the trail
Included with every trip
Your custom GPX file is built around your exact itinerary — day by day, door to door. Load it onto any device or app before you set off and navigate with confidence.
Works with
Hear it from the trail
Jennifer Stevens
Jennifer Stevens has walked the Cumbria Way twice. She knew she'd be back before she'd even reached Carlisle.
“"It's definitely the most stress-free hiking experience I've ever had."”Read Jennifer’s story →
The Cumbria Way is the kind of trail I always end up recommending to people who've done the West Highland Way and want something quieter. Same fells country, half the foot traffic, and you get to walk through Borrowdale rather than around it. The pacing matters most — most people get the days wrong on their first try, and we'll get yours right.
Craig has spent over ten years in adventure travel — most of it talking walkers through trails like this one. He's helped hundreds of customers plan their Cumbria Way, knows where people typically misjudge the daily distances, and knows which sections are best for which kinds of walker. When you call about the Cumbria Way, Craig is the voice on the line. No call centre, no agent.
If you want to talk through your timing, your fitness, your pace, or anything the planner can't answer — call. Most of our customers do, and Craig's the one who'll answer.
The things walkers ask us most often — answered plainly, so you don't have to ring to find out.
Still not sure? Ring us on 0131 560 2740 — Craig usually answers.
If you've scrolled this far, we need to help you get onto this trail. The bit the planner can't help with — "is the pace right for me?", "is August really that busy?", "can we add a rest day in Keswick?" — that's a two-minute phone call. Most people who book the Cumbria Way ring first.
