General Information From the village of Ravenglass on the Irish Sea, the Cumberland Way begins by crossing a gentle landscape of farmland dotted with small woods and isolated farmhouses to the sleepy village of Nether Wasdale, past a splendid 13th century castle and an 18th century corn mill. After following riverside paths to the shores of Wastwater it continues beside the lake to the tiny settlement of Wasdale Head amidst breathtaking mountain scenery: across the lake the awesome Screes plunge 2000 feet into the crystal waters of the lake, whilst ahead some of the highest peaks in England crowd around the end of the valley. From Wasdale Head the trail follows an old packhorse track over Black Sail Pass to the upper reaches of wild and lonely Ennerdale before crossing Scarth Gap to follow the shores of Buttermere to the village at the foot of the lake. Then it follows a superb footpath that climbs gently between imposing fells to emerge into the tranquil beauty of the Newlands Valley, where field, woodland and lakeside paths lead to the attractive town of Keswick. It visits the famous viewpoint of Castlehead and the Castlerigg stone circle, before following the old coach ‘road’ around the foothills of the Helvellyn range to Aira Force, the prettiest, most romantic waterfall in the Lakes. The Cumberland Way then follows a meandering path around Gowbarrow Fell, with magnificent views over Ullswater, to the village of Dacre, before continuing to Eamont Bridge on the boundary of the old county of Cumberland.
Total distance: 62 miles (99km) Duration: 6 nights, 5 days walking Minimum/maximum daily distances: 9 ½ miles (15 km)/16 miles (25.5 km) Season: March to October
Starting point of holiday: Ravenglass End of holiday: Eamont Bridge Most convenient major city and International airport: Manchester Airport. There is a regular train service to Ravenglass (journey time approximately 3 hours 15 minutes). Outward journey from London to Ravenglass: The journey by train from London Euston to Ravenglass takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: Short bus or taxi journey from Eamont Bridge to Penrith. There is a regular train service from Penrith to London (approximately 4 hours). Return journey to Manchester Airport at the end of the holiday: Train from Penrith to Manchester Airport (approximately 2 hours).
Itinerary Day 1: Travel to Ravenglass where your first nights accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Ravenglass to Nether Wasdale.9 ½ miles (15 km).
Day 3: Nether Wasdale to Buttermere.13 ½ miles (21.5 km).
Day 4: Buttermere to Keswick.10 miles (16 km).
Day 5: Keswick to Dockray.13 miles (20.5km).
Day 6: Dockray to Eamont Bridge.16 miles (25.5km).
Day 7: Depart from Eamont Bridge after breakfast.
Accommodation & Meals
6 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms with private bathrooms (where available) in selected hotels, inns and guesthouses. Traditional cooked breakfast
What’s Included Door to door luggage transfer. Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook describing the trail. An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night, town plans, information about facilities and places of interest along the trail and a kit list. Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it. Emergency assistance
Extra nights/Rest days The lively little market town of Keswick is an ideal choice for a rest day. It has plenty of interesting shops, a couple of award-winning museums and a lovely theatre by the lake. There are many of good walks from the town or you could explore Borrowdale by taking a boat trip on the lake.
