3 to 10 nights
19 to 74 mls (km)
Northern England
Moderate to Challenging
Mar to Oct
£355

Walking Holidays in the Lake District

  • Beautiful lake shores of Derwent Water and Coniston Water
  • Dramatic Cumbrian valleys, Langdale and Borrowdale
  • Across picturesque Tarn Hows in the wooded hills between Coniston and Langdale
  • Stay in charming towns like Caldbeck or Keswick - historic market towns in spectacular mountain settings
  • Walking alongside the cavernous lakes of Coniston and Derwent Water
  • Spectacular mountain scenery, with Skiddaw and Blencathra visible along your route

Cumbria Way Walking Route

Many walking holidays in the Lake District are quite strenuous, being England’s most mountainous area. However, the Cumbria Way is a trail with a near perfect balance of terrain and scenery.

The Cumbria Way is predominantly a low-level long distance footpath, which follows a line through lovely steep sided valleys through the heart of the Lake District National Park. It links the historic Cumbrian towns of Ulverston, on the shores of Morecambe Bay and Cumbrian coast and Carlisle, near the border with Scotland.

Each day, the diverse landscape reveals another facet of its appeal, which will have you reaching for your camera. From days spent walking in the lowlands, through to pastoral Cumbrian farmland, the heather-covered Cumbrian fells reveal stunning panoramas offering beautiful views of the landscape. Along your journey you pass through wonderful Lakeland towns with good food, distinctive character and a high standard of accommodation - coupled with a warm Cumbrian reception on arrival.

📷Drystone walls at Borrowdale. Borrowdale-Cumbria-Way

Lake District Walks with Celtic Trails

For more information or advice on walking holidays in the Lake District, please call our walk team who will be delighted to help you with your Cumbrian holidays.

We have over 26 years' experience providing tailored, high quality itineraries for walkers who appreciate personal service, comfort and organisation.

Cumbria Way walking map
Our Cumbria Walking Holidays take you on a linear walk from Ulverston to Carlisle

Path Walkthrough

The Cumbria Way offers walkers a chance to experience the beauty of the Lake District, albeit over low-lying terrain that's easier to navigate than traditional fell walking routes. This is an ideal route to get the most of walking the Lake District National Park, without the risk of over-exertion. Travelling from Ulverston to Carlisle the prevailing south-west wind is on your back, making progress a little easier.

There are a few steep inclines that you would probably wish to avoid in difficult conditions (between Old Dungeon Ghyll and Keswick or between Keswick and Caldbeck - as an example). The route bypasses a lot of farmland and fields and although well waymarked, walkers are advised to refer to our route notes as diversions and reconstructions of the path are a likelihood.

Our Cumbria Way Itineraries

  • Ulverston to Carlisle
    Distance: 74 miles (119km)
    CUM1
    6 Nights, 5 Days
    from £755 pp
    CUM1 ~ Ulverston to Carlisle ~ 6 / 5 classic
    DayWalkDistance
    Day 1Arrive Ulverston 1n
    Day 2Ulverston to Coniston16 mls /25.7 km1n
    Day 3Coniston to Great Langdale12 mls /19.3 km1n
    Day 4Great Langdale to Keswick16 mls /25.7 km1n
    Day 5Keswick to Caldbeck15 mls /24.1 km1n
    Day 6Caldbeck to Carlisle15.5 mls /24.9 km1n
    Day 7Depart Carlisle 
    (t) = transfer required to / from the path as standard.
    (n) = no. of night's stay as standard.
    Transfers and stays may change based on availability during busy periods.

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    5 walking days
    6 nights
    6 breakfasts
    2024 Prices
    Extras
    CUM2
    7 Nights, 6 Days
    from £880 pp
    CUM2 ~ Ulverston to Carlisle ~ 7 / 6 classic
    DayWalkDistance
    Day 1Arrive Ulverston 1n
    Day 2Ulverston to Coniston16 mls /25.7 km1n
    Day 3Coniston to Great Langdale12 mls /19.3 km1n
    Day 4Great Langdale to Rosthwaite (t)7.5 mls /12.1 km2n
    Day 5(t) Rosthwaite to Keswick8.5 mls /13.7 km
    Day 6Keswick to Caldbeck15 mls /24.1 km1n
    Day 7Caldbeck to Carlisle15.5 mls /24.9 km1n
    Day 8Depart Carlisle 
    (t) = transfer required to / from the path as standard.
    (n) = no. of night's stay as standard.
    Transfers and stays may change based on availability during busy periods.

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    6 walking days
    7 nights
    7 breakfasts
    2024 Prices
    Extras
    CUM3
    10 Nights, 9 Days
    from £1230 pp
    CUM3 ~ Ulverston to Carlisle ~ 10 / 9 classic
    DayWalkDistance
    Day 1Arrive Ulverston 1n
    Day 2Ulverston to Lowick exit7.5 mls /12.1 km1n
    Day 3Lowick exit to Coniston8.5 mls /13.7 km1n
    Day 4Coniston to Great Langdale12 mls /19.3 km1n
    Day 5Great Langdale to Rosthwaite (t)7.5 mls /12.1 km3n
    Day 6(t) Rosthwaite to Keswick8.5 mls /13.7 km
    Day 7Keswick to Bassenthwaite exit (t)10 mls /16.1 km
    Day 8(t) Bassenthwaite exit to Caldbeck9 mls /14.5 km1n
    Day 9Caldbeck to Dalston (t)10.5 mls /16.9 km2n
    Day 10(t) Dalston to Carlisle5.5 mls /8.9 km
    Day 11Depart Carlisle 
    (t) = transfer required to / from the path as standard.
    (n) = no. of night's stay as standard.
    Transfers and stays may change based on availability during busy periods.

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    9 walking days
    10 nights
    10 breakfasts
    2024 Prices
    Extras

    *If you don’t wish to complete the Cumbria Way to the official finish in Carlisle you may prefer to catch the regular train from Dalston into Carlisle (at own cost/arrangement). Other walkers have occasionally commented that they have found this last section to be the least interesting section of the walk. This will omit approximately 5 miles from your final walking day.

    Please note we are not able to book a 1 night stay in Great Langdale on Saturday nights. You may wish to consider taking rest day in Great Langdale.

    Please note that it is difficult to book a 1 night stay in Keswick, particularly on a Friday or Saturday night. You may wish to consider taking rest day in Keswick.

  • Gentle Lakes Short Break
    Distance: 19 miles (30.5km)
    CUM-KES1
    3 Nights, 2 Days
    from £355 pp
    CUM-KES1 ~ Gentle Lakes Short Break ~ 3 / 2 classic
    DayWalkDistance
    Day 1Arrive Keswick 3n
    Day 2(t) Rosthwaite to Keswick8.5 mls /13.7 km
    Day 3Keswick to Bassenthwaite exit (t)10 mls /16.1 km
    Day 4Depart Keswick 
    (t) = transfer required to / from the path as standard.
    (n) = no. of night's stay as standard.
    Transfers and stays may change based on availability during busy periods.

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    2 walking days
    3 nights
    3 breakfasts
    2024 Prices
    Extras
    • Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
    • Breakfast
    • Luggage transfers
    • Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
    • Route planning
    • Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details

    You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.

    Our Cumbria Way holidays are available to walk March to October.

    There are a few tricky sections along the Cumbria Way, but none that could be considered dangerous in bad weather. We recommend walking between April and September. October can be booked on request.

    Holiday arrival/departure dates ~
    You choose which day you would like your holiday to start. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.

    Please note we are not able to book a 1 night stay in Great Langdale on Saturday nights. You may wish to consider taking a rest day in Great Langdale.

    Similarly, a 1 night stay on either a Friday or Saturday night is not available in Keswick. You may wish to consider taking rest day in Keswick.

    Trains to Ulverston generally leave from Lancaster. Transport running from the city is fairly frequent, with reduced services in the evenings and Sunday.

    There are hourly trains to London and Glasgow from Carlisle.

    For more information, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

    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. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.

    Cumbria Way Client Reviews

    4.8/5 based on 21 reviews
    A company that treats you as a much-liked client (even though it was our first trip). Communication is excellent; everything works like clockwork.
    - September 2023
    Celtic Trails is a good company to choose.
    - September 2023
    Recommend highly for the walks offered and the service provided
    - July 2023
    Celtic Trails were comprehensive and booked a good standard of accommodation.
    - June 2023
    Celtic Trails offer a personal service and get all the details right. Better than other companies - would recommend.
    - June 2023
    Very professional and customer service oriented before, during, and after the trip.
    - June 2023
    Celtic Trails are better than other companies we've used. We would recommend.
    - April 2023
    A walking holiday is an excellent way to explore the UK. You see places you would otherwise miss and meet great people.
    - August 2022
    We're so glad that we chose Celtic Trails to co-ordinate our walk on the Cumbria Way. They were easy to communicate with, so helpful and the B&Bs we stayed in were so well chosen. If you want to reduce the stress of walking a long distance path, I defin
    - June 2022
    Celtic Trails were efficient, flexible and the accommodation was of a consistently high standard. A straight line walk, with your baggage taken ahead of you to comfortable accommodation means, for me, increased enjoyment.
    - June 2022
    I really enjoyed the quiet, peaceful, rural countryside with grazing sheep and a plethora of songbirds. Flowers were in full bloom during my mid-May walk and the bluebells were spectacular. Would absolutely recommend Celtic Trails.
    - May 2022
    Celtic Trails were organised with a good travel pack. This was a good challenging walk with family, visited interesting places and beautiful views of the mountains. A good range of accommodation, but all of a high standard. Yorkshire Wolds Way next.
    - September 2021
    I had a very good initial talk with Penny, who organised all our special requests. The walk was invigorating; our levels of endurance (walking) increased. I was able to adapt my treatment for diabetes well. All very rewarding. A daily gratifying feeling of achievement, having reached the next destination. The excellent accommodation was an additional plus.
    - August 2019
    Love the Lake District; attractive rural walking on defined tracks. Should have taken the option to have a lay day in say Keswick to explore the local area.
    - May 2019
    All luggage and personal transfers were carried out as arranged. Impressive scenery.
    - July 2018
    We love Celtic Trails!
    - June 2018
    Excellent in comparison with other companies.
    - June 2018
    "Excellent walk, well planned, very good map & trail book & finally, excellent variety of accommodation. We met many other walkers, some 'doing their own arrangements' and we were delighted that you took all that worry off our tired shoulders. Well done Celtic Trails. R & L Kley (over 70 & first-time long-distance walkers)."
    - May 2018
    We have walked with other companies before, but if you offer a walk we want to do, we would choose you.
    - May 2018
    "Service was fantastic - never a problem."
    - October 2017
    "The gold standard for hospitality – an offer of a pot of tea, and cake too on arrival! Thank you, Penny, for making it possible for us to enjoy this adventure. We loved every minute!"
    - June 2016
    Leave your own review of your Cumbria Way Walking Holiday with us - add review.
    Booking Request - Cumbria Way
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    What Happens Next?

    We will check your details and come back to you within two working days with a personalised estimate based on your requirements. We will then formally request a deposit of £150 per person (£100 per person for a single centre break) and book all your arrangements - find out about our full booking process here.

    Please note this does not constitute a booking confirmation, we kindly ask you to refrain from booking any travel until we have confirmed all your arrangements.

    Still Have Questions?

    If you are still unsure on any of your requirements, please do enquire with us first and one of our friendly team will be happy to help you with any queries you have.

    Enquire About Cumbria Way
    +44 (0)1291 689 774
    Our lines are open: 9am to 5pm (GMT), Monday to Friday
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    Sample Accommodations

    Please note: exact accommodation booked will depend on availability.