long distance walks
The Lake District, Cumbria is home to, and included in, a number of long distance walks.
The Cumbria Way
This is our most popular multi-day trail, covering 70 miles (113 km) and usually takes 5-6 days.
Grade: Medium
Start/Finish: Ulverston and Carlisle
Summary: Can be walked in either direction, but goes through the heart of the Lake District, keeping mostly to valleys. Nothing too strenuous or difficult with lots of heritage interest along the way.
Contact: Ulverston Tourist Information Centre
Email: ulverstontic@southlakeland.gov.uk
Tel: 01229 587120
Lancaster Canal Walk
27 miles (43 km) along the towpath between Lancaster and Kendal with many features and much wildlife to enjoy. Takes about two days.
Contact: Kendal Tourist Information Centre
Email: info@kendaltic.co.uk
Tel: 01539 735891
The Cistercian Way
33miles (53 kms) from Grange-over-Sands to Piel Island near Barrow-in-Furness along the paths, tracks and byways of the low limestone hills that fringe the northern shores of Morecambe Bay. Takes 2-3 days.
Contact: Ulverston Tourist Information Centre
Email: ulverstontic@southlakeland.gov.uk
Tel: 01229 587120
The Allerdale Ramble
55 miles (88 kms) from Seathwaite in the heart of the Lake District at the head of Borrowdale to Grune Point, Skinburness on the Solway Coast via Derwent Water, Keswick, Bassenthwaite and Maryport. Takes about 3-4 days.
Contact: Maryport Tourist Information Centre
Email: info@thewavemaryport.co.uk
Tel: 01900 811450
Cumbria Coastal Way
124 miles (200 kms) around the coastline of Cumbria between Milnthorpe and Carlisle, via the Duddon Estuary, St. Bees Head and the Solway Coast AONB - great bird watching! Takes 8-10 days.
Contact: Maryport Tourist Information Centre
Email: info@thewavemaryport.co.uk
Tel: 01900 811450
The Coast To Coast Walk
Distance: 191 miles/307 kms
Duration: 12 - 14 days
Grade: Medium
Start: St. Bees Head, Cumbria
Finish: Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire
Summary: A classic walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea incorporating the marvellous scenery of three National Parks - Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. Varied terrain. Good maps essential.
The Dales Way
Distance: 84 miles/135 kms
Duration: 5 - 7 days
Grade: Medium
Start: Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Finish: Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
Summary: Through the lovely valleys of the Yorkshire Dales over the Pennines to the foothills of the Lake District on mostly clear paths and tracks - plenty of welcoming country pubs too.
Pennine Way
The 268 mile (429 km) Pennine Way National Trail chases the Pennine tops along the backbone of England from the Peak District, through the Yorkshire Dales, over Hadrian's Wall and into the Cheviots using old miners track, packhorse routes and drove roads. It passes through Cumbria's part of the North Pennines AONB between the Cauldron Snout waterfalls in Upper Teesdale and to the north of Alston in the South Tyne Valley, taking in the summits of Great Dun Fell and Cross Fell.
Hadrian's Wall Path
This 84 mile (130 km) National Trail runs along the awe-inspiring frontier of the Roman Empire through stirring landscapes between the Solway Firth and the mouth of the River Tyne.
A Dales High Way
Distance: 90 miles
Start: Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Finish: Appleby, Cumbria
Summary: A 90 mile long distance walk from Saltaire in West Yorkshire over the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales to Appleby in the Eden Valley.
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A Pennine Journey
Distance: 247 miles
Summary: A challenging circular walk, based on a 1938 walk by Alfred Wainwright, that passes through the wonderful variety of terrain and scenery that the north of England offers and touching on all the major rivers in the region. Starting in the market town of Settle, the route heads north through the Yorkshire Dales and moorland stretches of Co. Durham before arriving at Hadrian's Wall and going on to traverse the Pennines before travelling down the Eden valley before skirting the Howgill Fells and arriving back in Settle.
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Issac's Tea Trail
Distance: 36 miles (circular)
Route: Ninebanks via Allendale, Nenthead and Alston and back to Ninebanks
Summary: A themed trail along picturesque river valleys and over high heather moorlands in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The trail is named after Isaac Holden; a former lead miner turned itinerant tea seller and philanthropist in the 1800s. The trail follows in his footsteps and includes the places where he made his mark can still be seen. The route is signed on the ground.
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St. Bega's Way
Distance: 36 miles
Route: Norman Priory Church of St Mary and St Bega at St Bees, to the pre-Norman Church of St Bega by the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake.
Summary: a delightful walk through rural West Cumbria and the magnificent scenery of the English Lake District. The walk takes you from the Norman Priory Church of St Mary and St Bega at St Bees, on the Irish Sea coast, to the pre-Norman Church of St Bega by the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake.
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