The Cumbria Way and Allerdale Ramble - Walking Cumbria, England

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Updates
• Further Reading

Compared to some long distance walks, The Cumbria Way (75 miles) and The Allerdale Ramble (50 miles) are hardly ‘long’ at all. But never mind the length, savour the quality. Packed into those relatively short distances is an extraordinary variety of scenery and terrain.

Most of the walking is easy, using well-established routes along the valley bottoms. If you’re reasonably fit you should comfortably complete one of the walks during a week’s holiday. And still have time for a day out to climb a mountain or explore a Lakeland town too.

Each route can be split up into short walks to be enjoyed at different times, but by far the best way is to tackle them as a continuous day-after-day series of delights. That way the body and mind become more attuned to the sights and sounds of the countryside and you will feel all the better for it.

Overnight accommodation is plentiful throughout Cumbria. B&Bs are excellent value for money and welcome wet and hungry walkers. One of their breakfasts will set you for most of the day. Central Lakeland has a good selection of campsites and youth hostels, but they are a bit thin on the ground elsewhere. Always decide where you are going to sleep before you set out and if possible book your place.

So, what about the weather? Lake District weather is notoriously unpredictable but not as bad a it’s often made out. May and June are usually good walking months. September and October are not bad, especially with spectacular autumn colours, but the days are shorter then. The wettest months according to statistics are November, December and January.

For what it’s worth I walked both routes in early June of different years and never felt a drop of rain. I hope you are as lucky.

Jim Watson

Rugby, 1977