More about the route
The Cumbria Way is a fine and well-marked trail. Most of the route goes through the Lake District, so you should expect some climbs along the way. We have chosen a difficulty level of 2-3, which means that you can expect both walking on fine and good paths, but also walking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. The tour requires good general fitness and good health, but no special technical requirements or previous experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Please note: Due to extensive roadworks in 2024, the tour will end in Dalston a few kilometres outside the end point in Carlisle, where it is possible to take the train the rest of the way. It's a short train journey of around 10-20 minutes.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
You'll arrive in Ulverston for your first overnight stay before it all starts.
Hotel (example): St Mary's Mount
The day starts in Ulverston, a cosy market town on the southern edge of the Lake District, before moving through rolling farmland before the landscape opens up before you to a beautiful heathland landscape covered in ferns. The day ends with a walk along the lakeshore of Coniston Water before finishing in the village of Coniston.
Hotel (example): Yew dale inn
Today the route takes you along idyllic and wooded paths to the Tarn Hows area, which in 1929 was bought by children's author Beatrix Potter, known for the Peter Rabbit stories. Today, the area is protected by the English National Trust and is a popular area to visit. You'll pass through more woodland and heathland before reaching the Lakeland village of Elterwater before the path enters the Langdale Valley. Surrounded by the dramatic high cliffs of Langdale Pikes and Bowfell, this is perhaps the most famous place in the Lake District.
Hotel (example): Old Dungeon Ghyll
The day starts with a steep climb up Stakes Pass before descending to the long and remote Langstrath Valley, characterised by deep pools and beautiful waterfalls.
Hotel (example): Langstrath
Today the route continues through the densely wooded Borrowdale valley before passing over the slopes of Cat Bells, which at 451 metres is one of the most popular falls in the area, over Lake Derwentwater and on to Keswick, a busy tourist town and the centre of the northern Lake District. Derwentwater is one of the largest lakes in the area and is 4.6 kilometres long.
Hotel (example): Hillcrest 22
Today it's uphill - at least for the first part of the trip. You start with a steep climb up towards Mount Latrigg, which at 368 metres is actually one of the lowest mountains in the area. However, that doesn't change the beautiful views you'll experience. You'll arrive in the Glenderaterra Valley, where it's possible to take the High Level route or the Low Level route - it's a good idea to be realistic about your abilities and be aware of the weather conditions. ‘The High Level route takes you to the highest point on The Cumbria Way: High Pike at 658m. The day ends in the village of Caldbeck.
Hotel (example): Oddfellows
Today is your last day of walking and you say goodbye to the high mountains and steep climbs of the Lake District. Today it's gentler, rolling landscapes as the trail follows the meandering River Caldew to Dalston and on to the historic border town of Carlisle - and the end of the trail.
Note: Due to extensive roadworks in 2024, the trail ends in Dalston, a few kilometres outside the terminus in Carlisle, where it's possible to take the train the rest of the way. It's a short train journey of around 10-20 minutes.
Hotel (example): Courtfield
Today you say goodbye to the Cumbria Way and head home or continue onwards into the world.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 7 nights in carefully selected hotels in double rooms
- Breakfast every day
- Luggage transport between hotels
- Detailed descriptions of the daily routes in English (route maps, route descriptions, info on relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers)
- Local service hotline
- 24-hour manned Danish emergency phone throughout the journey
- 10% discount in certain equipment stores
- This is a package holiday and is covered by the Travel Guarantee Fund and the Package Travel Act - see what benefits this brings you - click here
- Flights to England
- Administration fee 20 euro
- Cancellation insurance and travel insurance
- Possible tourist taxes at the hotels
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flight to Birmingham or London is not included in the tour price. We recommend that you find your own flight, for example, on Momondo.
We suggest waiting to book your flight until we have confirmed your trip.
Here's what you do:
- You book the trip with us.
- We confirm the trip (usually within 5-8 business days).
- You arrange your transportation to the destination.
Get a quote
If you want us to arrange the flight for you, you can request an offer for the trip including the flight. This may take two business days. Please note that we charge a fee of 350 NOK per ticket, meaning you'll get the flight cheaper by booking it yourself.
From Birmingham to Chipping Campden
It's possible to take the train from Birmingham to Chipping Campden. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. It's also possible to take a taxi, which takes about 50 minutes.
From London Heathrow to Chipping Campden
It's also possible to take the train from London Heathrow to Moreton-in-Marsh, where you can take a taxi further to Chipping Campden. This takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
You stay at carefully selected hotels and B&Bs.
Breakfast is included at all hotels. You can bring your own lunch, but it's also possible to purchase a small packed lunch at the various accommodation sites, which we recommend since there may not always be cafes or shops available along the route.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This journey has difficulty level 2
Grade 2
Easy hiking on reasonably good trails. The day walks will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Your luggage will be transported and you only carry a light daypack. Requires comfortable footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
On a hiking trip along the Cumbria Way via Lake District from Ulverston to Carlisle, you will experience varied temperatures in spring, summer, and autumn. In the spring months, March, April, and May, temperatures gradually rise to between 10-15 degrees Celsius. You can expect moderate rainfall along with mild and pleasant wind conditions. In the summer months, June, July, and August, temperatures peak between 15-25 degrees Celsius. Here, you will experience moderate wind conditions and periodic rainfall. In the autumn months, August, September, and October, you can expect moderate temperatures between 10-20 degrees Celsius. Rainfall increases slightly, and you will experience mild wind conditions.
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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"