The Cumbria Way begins gently through farmland and pasture becoming steadily more rugged as it enters the Lake District National Park. The trail follows the shores of Coniston Water and climbs to the stunningly beautiful Tarn Hows before entering the mountain grandeur of the Langdale valley. For those with energy to spare there is the option of scaling the Langdale Pikes before crossing the main watershed at the Stake Pass. North of this ancient trade pass, the Cumbria Way follows the lonely Langstrath valley to Borrowdale and a charming walk alongside Derwent Water to the old market town and modern hiking centre of Keswick. Beyond Keswick, the Northern hills of the Lake District - the wild and remote Caldbeck Fells - must be crossed before a return to the ever richer farmland of the Caldew River valley which leads us into the historic city of Carlisle. Itinerary and grading Included Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Packed lunch, D = Evening meal Day 1. Meet at the group hotel in Ulverston. Welcome dinner and briefing. (D) Day 2. Begin the Cumbria way and trek through pasture and woodland and across the Blawith Fells to Coniston Water. Follow the shoreline to Coniston village. Transfer (15 minutes) to the Dungeon Ghyll hotel in Langdale Valley.(B,L,D) Day 3. Transfer (15 minutes) to Coniston. Ascend to Tarn Hows, follow a track through woodland and beside waterfalls down to Skelwith Bridge. Walk beside the river to Elterwater tarn and into Elterwater village. Enter the Langdale Valley and follow a meandering trail to the valley head and our hotel base. (B,L,D) Day 4. Optional hike via Stickle Tarn over the summits of the Langdale Pikes to Stake Pass or more gently along Mickleden to the top of the pass. From here descend beside the Langstrath beck to enter Borrowdale and arrive at Rosthwaite. Transfer (10 minutes) to the north section base at Highfields Hotel in the market town of Keswick on Derwentwater. (B,L,D) Day 5. Transfer (10 minutes) to Rosthwaite. Optional hike over the summit of Catbells or stroll on footpaths along the lake shore to Nichol End at the end of the lake. Follow the road through Portinscale into Keswick and to the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 6. Follow the Glenderatera river between Skiddaw and Blencathra to Skiddaw House. A gradual descent of the Caldew River leads to Swinside and a steep climb crossing High Pike is followed by a long descent to Caldbeck village. Transfer (20 minutes) to Keswick. (B,L,D) Day 7. Transfer (20 minutes) to Caldbeck. Leaving the village, the Caldbeck stream leads to a junction with the Caldew and the walk then follows this meandering river through farmland to the city of Carlisle where the Cumbria Way ends. Check in to a centally located hotel in the city. (B,L,D) Day 8. After breakfast, depart Carlisle. (B) |
The above is a brief outline of the trip itinerary. A more detailed itinerary is available for download. Download the dossier for this trip here by clicking in the image, or from the download link on any of the individual trip pages |
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8 days / 7 nights - £895 The services of an experienced Wandering Aengus walking guide and a PCV qualified driver The price does not include: Single supplement if you choose not to share a room (please contact us directly if you wish to request a single room) Accommodation We spend the first night in a country house in Ulverston and the final night in a hotel in Carlisle (minimum 3 star standard). For the Lakeland section we use two hotel bases, both situated on the Cumbria Way itself. For the southern section we stay 2 nights at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, a 300 year old inn with great charm and character. For the northern section we stay 3 nights at Highfields in Keswick, a well located Victorian hotel offering high quality accommodation and a nationally recognised restaurant. By using these excellent hotels together with minimum transfers, we avoid the need for you to check in and out of hotels every day, and we believe this makes the completion of this long distance path a much more comfortable and relaxing experience. * Please note that while the above named hotels are the places we choose for this trip, we cannot guarantee that rooms will always be available, particularly for late bookers. If for any reason we cannot obtain rooms at these hotels we will accommodate our clients at nearby hotels of at least equal standing. Single Rooms All accommodation is based on twin share. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another individual group member of the same sex. A limited number of single rooms are available for this trip. If you wish to request a single room please ask us for a quote at the time of booking. The cost of a single supplement will depend on the availability of rooms at the time of booking, but a guide price is £175 for the 7 nights. Meals The trip includes all your meals. The day starts with cereals, toast and a wholesome Cumbrian cooked breakfast. We provide you with a packed lunch each day consisting of our own home-made sandwiches, fruit, biscuits, juice and a thermos of tea or coffee. The evening meal served at your hotel, is a four course dinner. |
