SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAYS
Walk north from Ulverston to Carlisle through the heart of the Lake District, following lakeshores, wooded valleys and open fell country. Much of the Cumbria Way stays below the summits, but Stake Pass and the northern fells add more demanding hill walking along the way.
The Cumbria Way gives you a north-to-south cross-section of Lakeland scenery without building the route around peak-bagging. You walk beside Coniston Water and Derwent Water, through Great Langdale and Borrowdale, and beneath some of the district’s best-known fells. Most of the trail follows valleys, lakeshores and lower ground, so the mountains remain around you rather than continually beneath your boots.
That does not make it an easy walk. Stake Pass brings a steep climb and descent between Great Langdale and Borrowdale, while the country north of Keswick becomes higher and more exposed. The attraction is the balance: recognisably mountainous Lake District scenery, but on a long-distance route designed to travel through it rather than link one summit to another.
Leaving Ulverston, the route begins among pasture, farm tracks and country lanes before reaching Coniston Water. From Coniston, it passes Tarn Hows, Colwith Force and Skelwith Force before Great Langdale closes in around the path. Stake Pass then takes you over into Borrowdale, followed by Derwent Water and Keswick.
North of Keswick the character changes again. The route heads into quieter fell country around Skiddaw House, with High Pike marking the highest point of the standard Cumbria Way, before dropping towards Caldbeck. The final stages follow gentler country and the River Caldew towards Carlisle.
Underfoot conditions vary considerably. Early farmland can be muddy after rain, while Stake Pass is steeper and rockier and the northern section needs more care in poor visibility.
A long-distance route through the Lake District brings one particular challenge: accommodation is concentrated in popular places such as Coniston, Great Langdale, Borrowdale and Keswick. We arrange your overnight stays around the pace of the itinerary you choose, together with the transfers needed where accommodation sits away from the trail.
Your main bag moves ahead to the next stop, so you walk the day with only what you choose to carry. Breakfast is included each morning, and your Walk Pack provides the mapping, route notes and practical information for each stage.
You receive a free, no-obligation personalised estimate first. Nothing is confirmed until you decide you would like to go ahead.
From £835 Per Person
From £925 Per Person
From £1,325 Per Person
CUM-KES1
From £375 Per Person
Your main bag moves ahead to the next stop, so you walk the day with only what you choose to carry.
Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
4.8/5 based on 48 reviews
"The services provided me with everything I needed to have a successful trip. I didn't have to worry about lodging, luggage, or food which made my time after walking restful. They were professional, thorough, and gave me everything I needed to have a relaxing and successful trip."
"Walks were just right, and even though it was raining we had a lot of fun. We walked with two teenagers and they loved it too."
"Great attention to detail, seamless and felt like you had 1st experience of itinerary"
"very organised, dependable, good, well planned and excellent customer service"
"With Celtic Trails, you can leave the planning to them. They take care of bookings, luggage transfers, and provide all the details you need for the walk itself. Plus, there's always someone to reach out to—before you start, while you're walking, and even after you finish. I just show up and put one foot in front of the other. The isolation was a highlight; I relished the peaceful silence of hours spent without seeing another soul."
"Professional and helpful. Everything was arranged perfectly. Great communication. Long distance walking holidays are the best holidays. You see things that you would not see traveling otherwise and immerse yourself in the country you are walking and meet local people. The Cumbria Way was a beautiful walk."
"You have probably been told this before but a walking holiday is by far the most relaxing and decelerating holiday we have experienced. Life in our time and age has become intangibly fast which is why an experience such as this one is the best that can happen to you."
"Good, Adapted the agenda to fit my demands and generally kept me informed and responded to my queries/calls"
"Excellent communication and preparation before, and responsiveness during my trip! Kudos to the whole team!"
We seek out the best accommodation of its type available
An extra night in Keswick gives you time to visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, around 1½ miles east of the town. Its 38 standing stones were probably erected around 4,500 years ago, with Helvellyn and High Seat forming the backdrop. The site is managed by English Heritage and is free to visit.
Reaching Carlisle need not mean taking the first train home. Carlisle Cathedral sits in the historic centre close to the end of the journey and gives you a reason to spend additional time in the border city before travelling on. Check the cathedral website for current visitor and service information.
Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
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