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A guidebook to the 73 mile Cumbria Way, an easy long-distance walk though the heart of the Lake District National Park, from Ulverston in the south to Carlisle in the north, with good transport links to either end. The route is largely low-level but this guide offers alternative mountain days to climb some of the famous fells en route.
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
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A guidebook to walking the Cumbria Way, a 117km (73 mile) route between Ulverston and Carlisle. Suitable for walkers with some experience, this long-distance route through the heart of the Lake District can be walked in 5 days, but there is plenty of opportunity to plan your itinerary for a more easy-going 7 to 8 days.
This largely low-level route is described here in five stages of between 19 and 26 kms (12 – 16 miles). Alternative mountain days can be added to include the Coniston Fells, Glaramara and Skiddaw.
Overview map
Map key
Introduction
The Cumbria Way
The mountain way
Wildlife and plants
Geology (Ronald Turnbull)
When to go
Getting there
Accommodation
Safety
Planning your itinerary
What to take
Maps
Using GPS
Using this guide
The Cumbria Way
Stage 1 Ulverston to Coniston (or Torver)
Stage 2 Coniston (or Torver) to Great Langdale
Stage 2A Torver to Great Langdale – mountain route
Stage 3 Great Langdale to Keswick
Stage 3A Great Langdale to Keswick – mountain route
Stage 4 Keswick to Caldbeck
Stage 4A Keswick to Caldbeck – mountain route
Stage 4B Keswick to Caldbeck – foul weather route
Stage 5 Caldbeck to Carlisle
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Facilities table
Appendix C Accommodation stage by stage
Appendix D Useful contacts
July 2023
There is a closure of the Cumbria Way on the cycleway between Dalston and Cummersdale from 19 June for up to six months. (Section 5, Page 115)
For more information, see www.dalston.org.uk/news/caldew-cycleway-temporary-closure
There is a closure of the Cumbria Way on the cycleway between Dalston and Cummersdale from 19 June for up to six months. (Section 5, Page 115)
For more information, see www.dalston.org.uk/news/caldew-cycleway-temporary-closure
August 2022
The route is closed until July 23 between Dalston and Cummersdale (Carlisle) because of extensive engineering works. It would be unwise to try to get through the fences or to walk along the busy B5299 road. An alternative footpath exists on the other (eastern) bank of the Caldew River but it is in very poor condition. Tony Vaux, local footpath secretary for The Ramblers, has kindly provided the following description and map.
John Gillham has been a professional writer, illustrator and photographer since 1989. His first book was Snowdonia to the Gower: a Coast-to-Coast Walk Across Highest Wales. He also pioneered three other long-distance routes: Lakeland to Lindisfarne, Pennine Ways and the Bowland–Dales Traverse, all of which were published in book form. John’s recent books include The Pictorial Guides to the Mountains of Snowdonia Volumes 1–4, Best Day Walks in Snowdonia and the AA Leisure Guide to Wales. John writes for several outdoor publications, and two of his books have won the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild Award for Excellence.
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