Why the Cumbria Way should be your next walk

The Cumbria Way is a long-distance route from Ulverston to Carlisle spanning 70-miles (112km). We've laid out everything you need to know about why this route deserves a spot on your to do list.

Variety of terrain
You'll find a wonderful variety of terrain throughout the Cumbria Way, keeping your journey interesting as no two days will feel the same. Across the route you can explore lakeside paths, river valleys, open fell, forest tracks, and urban landscapes as you pass through Coniston, Dungeon Ghyll, Keswick, and Caldbeck.

The route has plenty of flat, easy walking but also a couple of hilly climbs, making it a fairly relaxed route overall - challenging enough to feel like a proper adventure, but accessible to most walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. It's this mix of landscapes and effort levels that makes the Cumbria Way such a rewarding experience, whether you're a seasoned long-distance walker or tackling your first multi-day trek.

Well defined path and easy navigation
The majority of the route follows well-defined paths and clear valleys, making it a great introduction to multi-day navigation. Because the route sticks to such obvious ground for much of the way, navigation is much simpler compared to other long-distance trails - there's less time spent staring at the map and more time enjoying the landscape around you.

That said, having a reliable map in your hand is still essential, and our mapping of the Cumbria Way is all shown on a single sheet, making it the perfect travel guide to help you complete your journey from start to finish. The HARVEY map is waterproof, highly detailed, and tough enough to handle whatever the Lake District weather throws at it - rain, mud, river crossings, or being stuffed in a damp pocket at the end of a long day. It's the kind of map you can rely on without worrying about it falling apart before you reach the end of your journey.

Plenty of pitstop options
If you're planning on completing the full 70-mile route and need places to stay at night, or are just looking for a quick pit stop for a coffee and a slice of cake, it's worth knowing that the two halves of the Cumbria Way offer very different levels of convenience. The northern half, is well-served with plenty of pubs, bunkhouses, campsites, and accommodation options, meaning you'll rarely struggle to find a hot meal or a warm bed at the end of the day.

The southern half, however, requires a bit more forward planning as it is more remote, with fewer villages and services along the way. Although there are still options, we recommend that you make sure you've booked ahead for the southern section.

The perfect distance
As with many long-distance routes, the Cumbria Way is highly customisable depending on your ability and how long you'd like the journey to be. If you're an experienced long-distance walker who enjoys multi-day treks, this route is a great fit - it takes roughly 3 to 5 days to complete the full 70-miles, giving you a good challenge without being overly demanding. However, if you're looking for shorter day walks or would prefer to complete the route over time in smaller chunks, you can easily pick out individual sections and tackle them as standalone day routes.

Whether you want a gentle lakeside stroll, a fell-top challenge, or a linear walk between two villages with a bus ride back, the Cumbria Way can be broken down to suit your schedule and fitness level. It's the sort of route that works just as well for a weekend taster as it does for a full week-long expedition.

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If you are interested in walking the Cumbria Way then take a look at the HARVEY map dedicated to the route. Tough, light and waterproof, the entire route is shown on just one map!





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