Walk 
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.
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.
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
from £770
CUM2
7 Nights
from £890
CUM3
10 Nights
from £1240
*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.
- 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
📷Derwentwater, Lake District, Cumbria © Visit Britain
📷Mickleden Beck
📷Keswick Standing Stones
📷Latrigg near Keswick with Derwentwater lake in the far distance
Cumbria Way Client Reviews
4.8/5 based on 31 reviews
Friendly and responsive
Anon - September 2024
Excellent. Well organised. Good attention to detail. Arrangements all went well.
Anon - September 2024
Professional and reliable
Anon - September 2024
Celtic Trails has a good website and provide personalized service for an excellent adventure walking experience
Denny, Wyoming - 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.
Anon - August 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.
Nora & Michael Melbourne - June 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.
Neil, Kent - June 2024
Celtic very easy to use. More time for us to focus on hikes.
Rick B - 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.
Beth Elliott - 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.
Tom and Ann - 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.
Christine Morrison - September 2023
Celtic Trails is a good company to choose.
Anon - September 2023
Recommend highly for the walks offered and the service provided
Anon - July 2023
Celtic Trails were comprehensive and booked a good standard of accommodation.
Mrs D Wheeler - June 2023
Celtic Trails offer a personal service and get all the details right. Better than other companies - would recommend.
Rosey, Pembrokeshire - June 2023
Very professional and customer service oriented before, during, and after the trip.
Adriana, Maine, USA - June 2023
Celtic Trails are better than other companies we've used. We would recommend.
Anon - April 2023
A walking holiday is an excellent way to explore the UK. You see places you would otherwise miss and meet great people.
Carol, San Fransisco - 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
Hilary, Brecon - 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.
Michael - 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.
Jennifer Hess, USA - 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.
Paul, Bradford - 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.
Paul N - 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.
Hart - May 2019
All luggage and personal transfers were carried out as arranged. Impressive scenery.
P.H. - July 2018
We love Celtic Trails!
C & M - June 2018
Excellent in comparison with other companies.
R&L - 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)."
R & L Kley - May 2018
We have walked with other companies before, but if you offer a walk we want to do, we would choose you.
D&E Rule - May 2018
"Service was fantastic - never a problem."
Cech - 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!"
Thomas - June 2016
