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Table of Contents
- About the Cumbria Way
- How to Get to the Cumbria Way
- Accommodations along the Cumbria Way
- The Best Cumbria Way Itineraries
- Five Day
- How to Add a Sixth Day into the Five Day Itinerary
- Nine Day
- FAQs about the Cumbria Way
Hiking the Cumbria Way is an excellent way to experience England’s Lake District National Park. The ~75 mile hike takes you from the bottom of the park to the top (or top to bottom, depending on which way you go!), through gorgeous glades, over pristine peaks, and around lovely lakes.
In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know for hiking the Cumbria Way and provide sample five-, six-, and nine-day itineraries for completing the hike.
Read on for more information about hiking the Cumbria Way!
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About the Cumbria Way
The Cumbria Way is a long-distance, point-to-point hike through the Lake District in Northern England. The hike officially starts in Ulverston, at the south end of the park, and ends in Carlisle, at the north end of the park (and just south of the Scottish border). But there’s no reason you can’t take the hike in reverse.
Officially, the Cumbria Way is 71 miles long. However, our GPS pegged it at ~78 when all was said and done. It’s a nice mix of gravel paths, single-track trails, and field walking. However you split it up, the Cumbria Way takes you through the heart of the Lake District, showing off highlights like Stake Pass, Derwenwater, and High Pike.
Just starting your Cumbria Way journey? Check out Tory’s guide to the Ten Things You Need to Know About Hiking the Cumbria Way!
How to Get to the Cumbria Way
Whether you start in Ulverston or Carlisle, it is very easy to get to your starting point from any major city in the United Kingdom. And once you arrive at your starting point, no extra travel is required – the hike starts and finishes right in town.
The best way to get to and from Ulverston or Carlisle is to take the train. Trains connect with London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other cities several times per day. Our train from London to Ulverston took about 3 hours (with one connection). On the return trip, our train from Carlisle to London took about 3.5 hours (and was direct). It’s a cheap and easy way to get exactly where you need to go without worrying about parking or anything else.
It’s also super easy to get to the Cumbria Way by car. Ulverston is located on the A590 and is 5 hours from London, 3.5 hours from Edinburgh, and 2.75 hours from Glasgow. Meanwhile, Carlisle is on the M6, making it a bit easier to get to. It’s 1.75 hours from Glasgow, 2.25 hours from Edinburgh, or 5.5 hours from London. Once you get to your end point, you can easily hop on a regional train that will get you back to your car in about an hour. So, your best bet might be to park in Carlisle, then take the train down to Ulverston to start the hike.
Accommodations Along the Cumbria Way
When it comes to lodging, the Cumbria Way is exceptional – and exceptionally versatile. You can do the hike as a full-on backpacking trip, staying each night at a campsite. There are also bunkhouses and hostels available for very reasonable prices, which save you the trouble of packing a tent and sleeping bag (and save you from having to sleep on the ground, if that’s not your thing). Finally, you can book a stay at one of the cozy inns or B&Bs that dot the route for the most comfortable option (and still at pretty good prices). We mostly went with inns and were not disappointed.
While we were able to book accommodations about a month in advance for an early-June hike, sooner is better. In the more detailed itinerary below, we’ll have recommendations for places to stay in each location!
The Best Cumbria Way Itineraries
We’ve done extensive research on the best places to stay and what to do along your hike. We ultimately chose a five day itinerary but whether you are into double digit mileage days or something a little more relaxed, there’s a Cumbria Way itinerary for you.
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
Cumbria Way 5-Day Itinerary (with 6 Days Option)
The most popular itinerary for hiking the Cumbria Way is the five-day route from Ulverston to Carlisle through Coniston, Great Langdale, and Caldbeck. This is the route that we did in June 2025 and we thought it was a great way to hike the trail without being overwhelmed by mileage.
5 Day Itinerary Overview
- Day 1 Ulverston to Coniston (17 miles)
- Day 2 Coniston to Great Langdale (12 miles)
- Day 3 Great Langdale to Keswick (18 miles)
- Day 4 Keswick to Caldbeck (16 miles)
- Day 5 Caldbeck to Carlisle (16 miles)
Trying to figure out what to pack for the Cumbria Way? Check our ultimate hut to hut packing list that will cover all the things you need for a successful thru hike.
5 Day Itinerary Detail
Day 0: Ulverston (0 miles)
We’d recommend arriving in Ulverston the day before you begin your hike, since the first day is a full 17 miles and will take you most of the day. Ulverston itself is great to explore – lots of cute shops and restaurants. And for accommodations, you should have plenty of options. There are several campsites within a couple miles of Ulverston. For a budget hotel in town, try Kings Arms. And for something higher end (but still quite reasonable), check out St. Mary’s Mount Manor or Old Daltongate House.
Day 1: Ulverston to Coniston (17 miles)
The Cumbria Way starts from The Gill (“gill” or “ghyll” is a word for ravine, derived from Old Norse!) right on the edge of town. If you’re staying in Ulverston, it’ll be a 5-10 minute walk at the trailhead, but if you’re camping, it’ll take longer.
The hike starts on a paved path along The Gill before transitioning to the grazing fields that surround the town. As you walk up into the hills, you’ll become acquainted with some of the locals (cows and sheep) as Ulverston disappears into the distance. Don’t forget to look over your shoulder, since you’ll be treated to sweeping views of Morecambe Bay and the Sir John Barrow Monument in the distance.
About 6 miles in, you’ll pass into Lake District National Park officially and the views of the Lake District’s mountains to the north will start to get serious! As you enter the park, the landscape becomes wilder and you’ll leave the farms behind for some real trails. You’ll reach your first lake at about the 10-mile mark – Beacon Tarn!
Things start to go downhill (literally, not figuratively) as you approach your next lake of the trip – Coniston Water – which makes Beacon Tarn look like an appetizer. The trail meets the lakeshore around its midpoint, but it’s still over three miles until you make it to town. The mellow, shoreline trail spoils you with views of the water and fells until you reach Coniston. It’s a perfect capstone to your first day on the Cumbria Way.
Where to Stay? There are plenty of places to stay in and around Coniston. For camping, there are several sites just outside of town, including Coniston Hall Campsite and Coniston Social Camping. For a hostel / bunkhouse option, check out YHA Coniston Holly How. But we absolutely recommend the Crown Inn, right in the heart of town. Prices are reasonable and come with a (very) hardy full breakfast in the morning, and the room was spacious and comfortable. We also ate there for dinner, enjoying our first of many meat pies and sticky toffee puddings, which were excellent.
Use the map below to check out lodging options in Coniston!
Day 2: Coniston to Great Langdale (12 miles)
Day 2 starts with a big breakfast in Coniston – either at your hotel or one of the cafes in town – before you begin your walk out of town and into the fells.
The hike out of town begins with a climb towards Tarn Hows, a delightfully peaceful lake about two miles from Coniston. From Tarn Hows, you’ll descend towards the village of Skelwith Bridge. If you choose to stop for lunch or tea, try Chester’s By The River, which is just across the eponymous Skelwith Bridge. We were not disappointed by the excellent scones and tea – absolutely recommended. On the way out of town, be sure to stop by Skewith Force to get your waterfall fix.
After departing Skelwith Bridge you’ll proceed toward the highlight of the day – the Langdale Valley. It’s fabulous. Green cliffs soar on either side of you as you wind your way through the valley towards Great Langdale and your final destination. If the weather cooperates, you’ll enjoy views of the Langdale Pikes as you work through the valley. Great Langdale is right at the foot of the fells – an exceptional setting for a pint (or two) at The Hiker’s Bar or Lantee Slee’s.
Where to Stay? Great Langdale is delightfully small, but that means you only have so many options for accommodations. The Great Langdale Campsite is spacious and well maintained. And for more upscale options you can try the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel or . . . the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. We ended up staying at the Great Langdale Bunkhouse. It was perfectly comfortable and clean, though in retrospect we wished we had gone with one of the inns due to: (1) limited bathroom space for the ladies; and (2) loud neighbors who came through after hours. Given the limited options in Great Langdale, be sure to book further in advance.
Day 3: Great Langdale to Keswick (18 miles)
Breakfast is especially important on Day 3, which is the toughest of the Cumbria Way’s standard route. If you’re not a guest at one of the hotels, you can stop by the Great Langdale Campsite for hot bacon sandwiches and coffee at the campsite’s shop. The shop is also a nice place to stock up on essentials, or to pick up a postcard or magnet (or both) to commemorate your hike!
From Great Langdale, you’ll proceed up and into Mickleden Valley. The scenery only becomes more stunning as the sheer cliffs rise on either side of you. It’s incredible how quickly the countryside changes from town, to farms, to wilderness around here. Within half an hour of leaving town, you’ll feel like you’re fully in the British wilds.
About 2.5 miles from Greater Langdale, you’ll reach a fork as the route turns up towards Stake Pass – the Cumbria Way’s first major climb, which follows Stake Ghyll up the cliff. After slightly less than two miles and 1100-feet of elevation, you reach Langdale Comb, a dreamy, somewhat boggy, and often foggy meadow. On the far side, the trail pitches down and follows Stake Beck as it cascades down the mountain. The views of the valley in front of you are sublime.
Upon reaching the valley floor, you’ll continue along the stream for 3.5 miles until you reach Rosthwaite. This relatively flat section is a respite after the uppy-downy bits that came before, and in town you can stop for lunch at the Flock-Inn Tearoom, where we enjoyed another lovely scone and tomato soup in the garden.
From Rosthwaite, you’ll continue for 3 miles until you reach Derwenwater and the last stage of the day’s hike. At the north end of the lake is your destination, Keswick. The trail follows the western shore of the lake and offers sweeping views of the water and surrounding hills. Even after a long day, it’s hard not to enjoy this stretch.
Where to Stay? Keswick is a larger town with plenty of options. We booked a room at The Highfield, which had comfortable rooms and an excellent view of Derwenwater and the fells. While the rooms were reasonably priced, you can find even more budget-friendly options at the YHA Keswick hostel or camp at either Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club or Derwenwater Camping and Caravanning Club.
Use the map below to check out lodging options in Keswick!
Day 4: Keswick to Caldbeck (16 miles)
Day 4 is another doozy, so be sure to fuel up before departing Keswick. After a short walk through town, you’ll start going up, and up . . . and up.
The day begins with the climb towards Lonscale Fell as Keswick and Derwenwater rapidly fade behind you. After about five miles the trail levels off and narrows as you hug the cliffside below Lonscale Pike on your way towards Glenderattara Valley. The landscape here is breathtaking, but the trail here is narrow. You’ll need to watch your step, and not pay too much attention to the sheer drop to the valley below.
After another mile, the path opens up as you reach the valley and our favorite scenery of the whole hike. The valley is wide and painted with heather, showing off 360-degree views of the fells. The only sign of development is rustic Skiddaw House, Britain’s highest hostel! It has an honesty cafe if you need sustenance, but otherwise you can continue down into the valley.
The trail follows the River Caldew for several miles before turning for the climb of High Pike and your last major climb of the Cumbria Way. The early pitches of this climb are the most technical of the whole hike. But they’re not overwhelming and do not require any special equipment. The climb follows a stream and passes an abandoned mine, Carrock Mine, which supplied tungsten steel for the war efforts. After what feels like forever, the ascent becomes more gradual and you’ll reach Great Lingy Hut. From there, it’s only another mile to Hike Pike. This part of the climb is particularly exposed, but the views go for miles on a clear day.
After taking in the views at High Pike, it’s all downhill to Caldbeck. The initial descent is a bit steep, but manageable. The trail soon levels out and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you reach the farms at the bottom. After that, it’s under two miles to Caldbeck itself.
Where to Stay? Caldbeck has the fewest choices of any stop on the Cumbria Way. We stayed in the The Old Map Shop, which is a solid mid-range option (though it is self-catering). The Oddfellows Arms in town is just a short walk down the road, and has an excellent bar and restaurant. Caldbeck Camping is just a short walk to the other side of town.
Day 5 (Caldbeck to Carlisle) (16 miles)
The final day on the Cumbria Way may lack the high-highs and fells that defined the earlier stages, but it’s still a lovely hike through the English countryside.
The trail out of Caldbeck pick up the River Caldew and follows it for several miles through lush forests and fields. After about 10.5 miles – and likely several encounters with sheep, cows, and horses – you will reach Dalston. Although this day is less remote than the others, Dalston is your first real chance to buy lunch, so pack plenty of snacks if you get hungry easily.
The final eight miles to Carlisle become progressively more developed. Using the bike path, you’ll pass through suburbs and parks, still following the River Caldew as it widens. Our GPS route ended at Carlisle Castle, but the official end of the Cumbria Way is the Market Cross in the center of town. The Cross is just outside the Tourist Information Center, which keeps a logbook of Cumbria Way hikers – don’t forget to sign it at the end of your hike!
Where to Stay? Carlisle is a relatively large city, so there are many lodging options. We stayed in The Gavel, which was comfortable and had a great central location. For a higher-end option, try The Halston.
How to Turn a Five Day Itinerary into Six Days
If you have the time and want to break up your hike, you can split Day 3 in two and spend the night in Rosthwaite. This option turns what would be your toughest day on the hike into two much more manageable days. Rosthwaite has great lodging options including hotels like The Royal Oak Hotel and Hazelbank Country House. In nearby Borrowdale, you’ll find a YHA hostel and Chapel House Farm campsite.
Cumbria Way 9-Day Itinerary
While the Cumbria Way is a pretty accessible hike with relatively minimal climbing, the 15-mile-plus days are still no joke. If you still want to experience the trail, but need to do less mileage per day, this 9-day Cumbria Way itinerary is your best bet. For this itinerary, we’ll assume you aren’t interested in camping, but there are options in the vicinity of each stop. If we had had more time on our trip, we would have considered doing shorter mileage or taking zero days to explore each area more.
9 Day Itinerary Overview
- Day 1 Ulverston to Gawthwaite (6 miles)
- Day 2 Gawthwaite to Conniston (10 miles)
- Day 3 Coniston to Great Langdale (12 miles)
- Day 4 Great Langdale to Rothwaite
- Day 5 Rothwaite to Keswick (18 miles)
- Day 6 Keswick to Skiddaw House
- Day 7 Skiddaw House to Caldbeck
- Day 8 Caldbeck to Dalston (~10 miles)
- Day 9 Dalston to Carlisle (8 miles)
9 Day Itinerary Detail
Day 1: Ulverston to Gawthwaite (~6 miles)
For this extended itinerary, you can get a later start out of Ulverston as you head towards Gawthwaite on the edge of Lake District National Park. However, you’ll want to stock up on groceries because most of the lodgings around Gawthwaite are self-catering. The hike starts from The Gill in Ulverston, then transitions to rolling farmland as you move north, away from the coast. On a clear day, the views behind are excellent – you’ll get a great look at Morecambe Bay and the Sir John Barrow Monument in the distance. You’ll reach Gawthwaite about 6 miles in, and there won’t be any meals on the way, so pack lunch!
Where to Stay? There isn’t much lodging in Gawthwaite itself, but there are several cottages and farmstays in the surrounding area, including Stone Dykes Cottage, Groffa Crag Farmhouse, and Mountain View Cottage. Again, be prepared to bring food to cook (dinner and breakfast!), since there aren’t any restaurants around this area.
Day 2: Gawthwaite to Coniston (~10 miles)
On Day 2, you’ll proceed into Lake District National Park, enjoy wilder scenery and great views of the fells in the distance (assuming decent weather). Beacon Tarn – your first lake of the hike – will come a bit before the halfway mark. Then you’ll spend the rest of the day descending towards Coniston Water and following it up to Coniston. There will not be much for lunch on the road, so try to have something packed.
Where to Stay? If you’re camping, try Coniston Hall Campsite and Coniston Social Camping. For a hostel, try YHA Coniston Holly How. For a true hotel, we recommend the Crown Inn, right in the heart of town. You’ll have plenty of options for dinner and breakfast in Coniston, and it’s a great place to restock on supplies.
Day 3: Coniston to Great Langdale (~11 miles)
This day is the same as Day 2 of the standard itinerary detailed above. Though it’s on the longer side compared to other days, the path is relatively flat and well maintained. After a gradual climb up to Tarn Hows to start the day, you’ll descend down towards Skelwith Bridge. There, you can stop for lunch or tea at Chester’s by the River, which bakes a mean scone! From Skelwith Bridge, you’ll proceed into the Langdale Valley as green cliffs dominate the landscape.
Where to Stay? There are only a few options in Great Langdale, but they’re all, well, great. For hotels, you can choose between the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel or the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. For camping, there’s the Great Langdale Campsite. And for something in between, there’s the Great Langdale Bunkhouse. Dinner is available at the hotels (but you may need to book ahead) or at Lanty Slees. For breakfast, if you aren’t staying at the hotels you can grab a bacon sandwich and hot coffee at the campsite.
Day 4: Great Langdale to Rosthwaite
Departing Great Langdale you’ll proceed into the sweeping Mickleden Valley. After two miles, you’ll take the fork and begin your ascent up and over Stake Pass, through Langdale Combe, and following Stake Beck into the valley below. From there, it’s a leisurely hike following the Beck to Rosthwaite. Note that there isn’t much between Great Langdale and Rosthwaite, so you’ll want to pack lunch, snacks, and plenty of water for the day.
Where to Stay? Rosthwaite is a smaller town, but there are plenty of options for lodging. The Royal Oak Hotel and Hazelbank Country House are very well-reviewed as higher-end options with exceptional restaurants. There’s also a YHA hostel in Borrowdale, just a few minutes from Rosthwaite, for a more budget-friendly option. For camping, check out Chapel House Farm – also in nearby Borrowdale.
Day 5: Rosthwaite to Keswick
Day 5 will be the easiest full-day of this itinerary – a good chance to recover from the preceding days before the challenging (but oh-so-rewarding) stretch between Keswick and Caldbeck. Your hike will begin with the relaxing rural ramble from Rosthwaite to Derwenwater. From there, you can follow the lake’s western shore that is part of the official route, or you can extend your hike by taking the long way around the eastern shore. We took the western route, but the eastern shore is supposed to be great. Hard to go wrong.
Where to Stay? For a mid-range option, try the YHA Keswick. For something a bit more luxurious, go for the Highfield.
Day 6: Keswick to Skiddaw House (~6 miles)
Day 6 will take you back up into the fells as you make your way out of Keswick. The day is basically an extended climb towards the Glenderattara Valley. The steepest section is from miles ~1.5 to ~4.5 – after that, the gradient is quite manageable. That said, there are narrow points as you follow the cliff around Lonscale Pike, just before you hit the valley.
Where to Stay? There’s just one place to stay here, and it’s Britain’s highest-elevation hostel: Skiddaw House. Make sure you’ve got a booking so that you’re not stranded! The hostel is in a stunning location and has a stocked pantry that you can pay for food from for dinner and breakfast.
Day 7: Skiddaw House to Caldbeck
From Skiddaw House, you’ll proceed down through the Glenderattara Valley – a gorgeous and manageable stretch on a clear day.
After several miles, you’ll reach a turn for High Pike, which is your last major climb of the Cumbria Way. The early pitches of this climb are particularly tricky, so take your time. The climb follows a stream and passes an abandoned mine, Carrock Mine. After ascending the steep climb, you’ll pass Great Lingy Hut and the gradient becomes gentler. From there, it’s about a mile to Hike Pike. From there, it’s all downhill to Caldbeck. There aren’t options for lunch on this stretch, so pack well!
Where to Stay? For camping, try Caldbeck Camping. For a mid-range option, we recommend The Old Map Shop. For a hotel, go for The Oddfellows Arms which has an excellent bar and restaurant.
Day 8: Caldbeck to Dalston (~10.5 miles)
From Caldbeck, you’ll leave the fells behind. But following the River Caldew for most of the day makes for pleasant hiking. This portion of the route begins with relatively dense forests, then transitions back into countryside farmland. At first, there are rolling hills, but those level out through the day. Again, don’t count on finding somewhere to stop for lunch, so pack plenty to eat!
Where to Stay? For a mid-range option, try Thornfield Camping Cabins. For a hotel, check out Hawksdale Lodge. These options are all outside of Dalston proper, so you may need to walk into town (or take a cab) for dinner.
Day 9: Dalston to Carlisle (~8 miles)
Your last day will be short and easy as you knock off the last eight miles to Carlisle. The area between Dalston and Carlisle borders on urban for the most part, and much of the walk is spent on a bike path. But there are still highlights as you follow the River Caldew as it broadens out towards Carlisle. Given the short day, you’ll have plenty of time to take in the sights in Carlisle, like Carlisle Castle, and enjoy a great meal.
FAQs about Hiking the Cumbria Way
Are there lakes along the Cumbria Way?
Yes! But that’s not all. “Lake District” isn’t a misnomer, but it only tells part of the story. The lakes are, of course, terrific. But this park is not a one-hit wonder, and offers plenty of forests, hills, and mountains (aka “fells”) to enjoy.
What’s the best time of year to hike the Cumbria Way?
Thanks to England’s mild climate, the Cumbria Way can be hiked most of the year. The sweet spot is May – October, when you’ll be a bit warmer and have enough daylight for longer segments. We hiked the Cumbria Way in early June and were pleasantly surprised at the lack of crowds, had pretty good weather (a bit of rain – it’s England, after all – but not too much), and were able to book accommodations and meals without much trouble.
Do I need to pack my own food for the Cumbria Way?
Generally no, but bring a lot snacks! Campsites and lodging are all located near restaurants that serve breakfast and dinner, and most days you will pass through a town where you can purchase lunch (or at least a large cream tea). We mostly booked lodging with breakfasts included, packed lunches (simple sandwiches and snacks), and bought dinner (and perhaps some cheeky pints) in town.