Experience the King Charles III: England Coast Path (ECP) North West, a 590km (367-mile) National Trail stretching from Gretna on the Scottish border to Chester, showcasing the diverse coastlines of Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside. This section of one of England's most well-known long-distance trails is a month-long journey that offers walkers the perfect blend of wild estuaries, sweeping sands, and classic seaside towns, with views of the Lake District, Morecambe Bay's vast tidal flats, and vibrant cities like Liverpool.

This England Coast Path North West guidebook breaks the route into 28 stages, detailing the public transport links that make this section of England's newest National Trail so easily accessible to walkers of all abilities. Whether tackled as day walks or in one continuous stretch, this comprehensive guidebook is the planning tool you need, seamlessly integrating detailed route descriptions, trek planners and route summary tables into one unbeatable resource. 

• Step-by-step route descriptions with OS 1:50,000 mapping are provided across all 28 stages, which vary between 13 and 29km (8 - 18 miles) and can easily be adapted to your preferred daily distances
• Accommodation listing and a stage facilities planner cover B&Bs, hostels, campsites and other services in coastal centres, including Whitehaven, Ravenglass, Fleetwood, Southport and the Wirral
• Public transport is listed for every stage for those breaking the route into smaller sections or day walks, particularly from transport hubs such as Carlisle, Lancaster, Blackpool and Liverpool
• Downloadable GPX files are available, providing a digital navigation option for the full 590km North West coastal route 
• The guidebook includes specific notes on when sections are planned to open, whilst providing alternatives in the meantime, so you can explore this brand-new trail starting today

With expert guidance from Ange Harker, a member of Natural England's Coastal Access Delivery Team, this guidebook equips you to experience the North West section of the England Coast Path with confidence. Whether you're anticipating the lesser-crowded trails with views of the Lake District, exploring tidal estuaries or experiencing the diverse birdlife, there is something here for all walkers to enjoy. 

Enhance your North West adventure with two OS map booklets covering Cumbria, Lancashire, and Merseyside (sold separately), featuring detailed 1:25,000 mapping, for confident navigation whilst out on the trail. 

King Charles III England Coast Path – North West – Quick Facts

Trail name: King Charles III England Coast Path: North West 
Location: North‑West England coast (Gretna to Chester), Cumbria, Lancashire & Merseyside  
Total distance: ~590 km / ~367 miles  
Typical duration: ~1 month walking end‑to‑end  
Start: Gretna (Scottish border)  
Finish: Chester (ties into Wales Coast Path)  
Route type: Long‑distance coastal National Trail in stages  
Stages: 28 stages (each ~13–29 km / 8–18 mi)  
Terrain: Coastal paths, estuaries, sands and seaside sections  
Navigation: OS 1:50,000 mapping with detailed stage descriptions and GPX files available  
Best season: Spring and summer for longest days and best transport options (walkable year‑round with planning)

Author Highlight

“The King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) will be the longest managed coastal footpath in the world. This groundbreaking development in UK outdoor access creates almost globally unparalleled opportunities for long-distance walking, but most importantly, its ease of use makes our glorious coastlines available to so many more of us, locals and visitors alike. The north-west of England is a beautiful place to start.” 

- Ange Harker, author of Walking the King Charles III England Coast Path North West and member of Natural England's Coastal Access Delivery Team North West, who devised and proposed the official route  

Map key
Route summary table
Overview profile/alternate staging
Stage facilities planner
Introduction
What is the England Coast Path?
Origins
Planning and wayfinding
What is Coastal Access?
Adaptability
The north west coastal landscape
Geography
Geology
Natural history
Human and cultural histories
Practicalities
Fitness and variations to itinerary
Transport
Accommodation
Communications
Money
When to go
North or south?
Coastal safety
Emergencies
What to pack
Maps
Using this guide
Accessibility
The King Charles III England Coast Path – North West
Part 1 – Cumberland
Stage 1 – Gretna to Knockupworth
Stage 2 – Knockupworth to Bowness-on-Solway
Stage 3 – Bowness-on-Solway to Abbeytown
Stage 5 – Abbeytown to Silloth
Stage 6 – Silloth to Maryport
Stage 7 – Maryport to Whitehaven
Stage 8 – Whitehaven to Seascale
Stage 9 – Seascale to Ravenglass railway station
Stage 10 – Bootle railway station to Silecroft (& from Eskmeals viaduct)
Stage 11 – Silecroft to Green Road railway station
Part 2 – Morecambe Bay
Stage 11 – Foxfield to North Scale
Stage 12 – North Scale to Vickerstown
Stage 13 – Vickerstown to Bardsea
Stage 14 – Bardsea to Cark
Stage 15 – Cark to Grange-over-Sands
Stage 16 – Arnside to Hest Bank
Stage 17 – Hest Bank to Overton
Stage 18 – Overton to Conder Green
Stage 19 – Conder Green to Knott End ferry
Part 3 – Wyre to Wales
Stage 20 – Fleetwood ferry to Lytham
Stage 21 – Lytham to Preston
Stage 22 – Preston to Tarleton Lock
Stage 23 – Tarleton Lock to Crossens
Stage 24 – Crossens to Formby
Stage 25 – Formby to Seaforth
Stage 26 – Seaforth to New Brighton
Stage 27 – New Brighton to Parkgate
Stage 28 – Parkgate to Chester or Wales Coast Path)
Appendix A Accommodation listings
Appendix B Useful contacts
Appendix C Further reading
Appendix D Day walk options
Appendix E Further alternate itineraries 

Seasons

Best walked in spring and summer for the longest days, best public transport and to avoid the worst weather and tides, but walkable year round with adequate planning.

Centres

Gretna, Carlisle, Silloth, Maryport, Workington, Whitehaven, Ravenglass, Millom, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands, Arnside, Silverdale, Carnforth, Morecambe, Heysham, Lancaster, Fleetwood, Blackpool, Lytham, Preston, Southport, Liverpool, Wirral, Shotton and Chester.

Difficulty

Other than one or two longer, more strenuous days in Cumbria, the majority of the guide’s 28 stages can be easily split, extended or adapted. Most are relatively easy walking depending on terrain and distance.

Must See

Circuiting Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Wirral and a slice of Cheshire, highlights include the Solway Firth, Hadrian’s Wall, Lake District mountain views, Morecambe Bay and Lancaster, the longest dune system in England at Sefton, Merseyside’s arts and musical culture, Wirral’s heritage and Cheshire’s coastal reedbeds.

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