3 to 10 nights
19 to 74 mls (km)
Northern England
Moderate to Challenging
Mar to Oct
£365

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

  • 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 31 reviews
    Friendly and responsive
    - September 2024
    Excellent. Well organised. Good attention to detail. Arrangements all went well.
    - September 2024
    Professional and reliable
    - September 2024
    Celtic Trails has a good website and provide personalized service for an excellent adventure walking experience
    - August 2024
    If you want to have a holiday where you get the time to really connect to a landscape and its people, walking distances that work for you and your travel mates, and enjoying comfortable accommodations with warm and welcoming hosts, Celtic Trails is the company for you. Much care is taken to give you the itinerary and experience you are seeking - these are not "off the shelf" holidays! I never feel more well and relaxed than after a Celtic Trails walking holiday.
    - August 2024
    I have already recommended Celtic Trails to friends., you offer an excellent product, from initial discussions/arrangements through to the walk packs and support whilst the walk is underway. I must thank the team for their support on our first walk day, Christina was polite and efficient when sorting a situation for us.
    - June 2024
    We had a terrific time and are most impressed with Celtic Trails for their multifaceted organisation ? accommodation, orientation, transfers, information package ? which greatly enhanced our holiday experience. I would certainly recommend Celtic Trails to anyone wanting to do self-guided walks in the UK.
    - June 2024
    Celtic very easy to use. More time for us to focus on hikes.
    - May 2024
    I highly recommend Celtic Trails. This company is so easy to work with and very well organized. Penny was also very helpful when I had additional questions and all the staff are very responsive.
    - April 2024
    Our experience with Celtic Trails was very positive. The information pack was detailed and easy to follow. Any questions were answered promptly. The walk was as described on the website and the accommodation was excellent.
    - April 2024
    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
    Excellent in comparison with other companies.
    - June 2018
    We love Celtic Trails!
    - 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.