Guided Trail on the Cumbria Way

72 miles. 9 -14 miles and up to 2,000 feet of ascent in a day

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Carlisle to Sebergham - Our walk starts in the great border city of Carlisle. However, we soon leave streets and buildings behind as we begin our walk towards the scenic grandeur of the Lake District, beginning by walking through the pastoral beauty of the Caldew Valley to Sebergham, passing through the village of Dalston and enjoying the riverside views of Rose Castle, the imposing home of the Bishops of Carlisle. Distance: 11½ miles with negligible ascent

Day 3: Sebergham to Mosedale - From Sebergham we walk along the banks of the River Caldew and through wooded hillsides to the village of Caldbeck, made famous by John Peel whose grave may be seen in the village churchyard. From here we ascend to the summit of High Pike (2,157 feet), the most northerly of the Lakeland peaks, with fine views back to Scotland and across to the Pennines. We descend below Great Lingy Hill, walking past old mine workings along Grainsgill Beck as we head south-east along the valley to Mosedale. Distance: 9 miles with 2,000 feet of ascent

Day 4: Mosedale to Derwent Bank - We begin by retracing our steps along the River Caldew valley with Bowscale Fell on our left and Carrock Fell to the right. We continue between Knott and Mungrisdale Common, passing Great Calva to Skiddaw House. We now leave the River Caldew, which has its source on the eastern slopes of Skiddaw, and continue in high open country between the masses of Skiddaw and Blencathra. The path contours Lonscale Fell at 1,250 feet along the side of Glenderaterra Valley, passing below Lonscale Crags. It turns westwards, passing to the north of Latrigg before descending to Keswick. We then continue the short distance to Derwent Bank. Distance: 10½ miles with 1,025 feet of ascent

Day 5: Derwent Bank to Great Langdale - We begin the day with an interesting ramble along the creeks, inlets and bays of Derwent Water below the popular hill, Cat Bells. From here there are superb views across Derwent Water to Skiddaw. The countryside then changes to the lush valley scenery of Borrowdale, full of ancient woodland and spectacular rocky crags so typical of the volcanic rock of the central Lakeland fells. We cross Stonethwaite Beck at Rosthwaite and follow the beck to enter Stonethwaite Valley. In a mile or so we branch off into the long valley of Langstrath following the Langstrath Beck as it ascends beneath the towering heights of Heron Crag and Sergeant’s Crag. Across the beck, to the right, rises the massive whaleback of Glaramara.  We branch away from Langstrath when we cross Stake Beck and the gradient increases sharply as we ascend to Stake Pass. The path levels out on open moorland and then descends steeply into the valley of Mickleden. We follow Mickleden Beck down below the Langdale Pikes to finish in Great Langdale at New Dungeon Ghyll. Distance: 14½ miles with 1,550 feet of ascent

Day 6: Great Langdale to Sunny Bank - We start the day at New Dungeon Ghyll and follow Great Langdale Beck past Elterwater and Skelwith Force waterfall to Skelwith Bridge. The route turns westwards here to Colwith Force waterfall, then meanders through fields, ancient lanes and woodland paths to the well-known beauty spot of Tarn Hows. We continue through pasture and woodland to Coniston and then along the western side of Conistonwater to finish at Sunny Bank. Distance: 14 miles with 1,125 feet of ascent

Day 7: Sunny Bank to Ulverston - Crossing Torver Beck at Sunny Bank we follow tracks over rough country to reach Beacon Tarn. As we head towards the hamlet of Gawthwaite we say goodbye to the Lake District National Park. After leaving the Park we descend to the village of Broughton Beck and then ascend again to Osmotherley parish church which has good views of the Coniston fells.  Walking along field paths we climb Bortree Stile for a fine view over Morecambe Bay, then descend to walk along the wooded banks of Gillbanks Beck towards the market town of Ulverston. The Cumbria Way ends at Gill Square near the centre of this small town. Distance: 11½ miles with 1,250 feet of ascent

Day 8: Departure day