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England's Cumbria Way:

Magnificent Guided End to End Lake District Hike

September 24 - October 1, 2010

Private Guided or Self-Guided Departures Also Available May Through October

Trip Overview

The Cumbria Way is an exhilarating hiking journey through some of the most beautiful and contrasting landscapes that this region in northern England offers. Stretching from Ulverston on the shores of Morecambe Bay to the historic city of Carlisle just south of the border with Scotland, the route offers 70 plus miles of hiking through some of the most scenic landscapes in Britain, as well a great sense of achievement at the end of it.  This well loved walk starts at the southern edge of England’s Lake District and proceeds northward right through the heart of the Lake District, taking in some of the best scenery of the area until you reach your final destination of Carlisle. The route passes mainly through valleys, charming villages and a fewer areas on higher exposed ground, making for a wonderful point to point adventure.   

The Lake District is the largest and one of the first of England’s national parks.  It is the land of William Wordsworth and other Romantic poets, and the inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s works.  It lies in northwest England nestled between the sea and Scotland, and is a region of high mountains, deep valleys, and deep blue lakes formed 10,000 years ago by glaciers.  Wild, rugged mountains contrast with charming villages and farms. 

Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures September 24 - October 1, 2010 for this wonderful point to point adventure.  We’ll be based in two charming country estate hotels, so we’ll have the best of two worlds:  the excitement of completing a major point-to-point hike and the comfort of returning at night to nice accommodations where we can settle in for a few days at a time.  We hope you’ll join us on this great adventure.

Highlights 

Land Cost

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Trip Rating

Most of the hiking is on established paths along valley bottoms.  Daily mileages average 11 miles/day.  Most ascents are not steep or long.  The longest single ascents are 1,000 feet on hike three and 900 feet on hike five.  Some trails are rough and stony.  The overall trip rating is moderate plus (3+) due primarily to the beautiful and more challenging September 29 hike. 

Itinerary

Friday, September 24:  Trip Orientation and Welcome Dinner

Travel to Windermere and meet your guide at 6:00 p.m. for a trip orientation and welcome drinks, followed by your first delicious dinner in your charming hotel.

Saturday, September 25:  Ulverston to Torver (12.5 miles; 2,000 feet elevation gain; 1770 feet elevation loss)

The walk starts in Ulverston, birthplace of Stan Laurel, the slim one of Laurel and Hardy fame.  The first part of the day features becks, stiles, farmyards and field paths, before passing craggy moorland and a beautiful tarn, with the Lake District mountains getting ever closer.  Finally we finish at a lovely inn in Torver, where we transfer back to our hotel in Windermere.

Sunday, September 26:  Torver to Elterwater (12 miles; 1,450 feet elevation gain; 1460 feet elevation loss)

The start of today sees us following the shore of Coniston Water to Coniston, with a view over the lake to Brantwood, which was home to John Ruskin, the famous art critic, philosopher, poet and artist.  From Coniston, we follow fields and woodland, before passing the beauty spot of Tarn Hows.  The view from here is one of the deservedly most famous in the Lake District and we’ll savor it as we hike past farms and cottages with mountain views.  We also pass fast flowing streams, waterfalls, more beautiful lakes and end up the pretty village of Elterwater with it popular pub, the Britannia Inn.  We may just feel compelled to stop here for refreshment before our transfer back to Windermere for a nice dinner in the hotel.

Monday, September 27: Elterwater to Rosthwaite (11 miles; 2,050 feet elevation gain; 1950 feet elevation loss)

Today gives you a taste of the Lake District’s rugged and scenic splendor. We’ll start our walk today in Elterwater, before heading along Great Langdale with its wonderful mountain vista.  We’ll pass by a popular walkers’ and climbers’ pub, The Old Dungeon Ghyll, and cross from Langdale into Borrowdale, where we are able to see first hand the effects of glaciation on the landscape.  We finish at The Scafell Hotel in the pretty village of Rosthwaite and will transfer from there to our second hotel of the trip just outside Keswick in a lovely park setting.  Our bags will be shuttled for us and will be waiting for us in the new hotel when we arrive at the end of the day.  Tonight we’ll enjoy our first delicious dinner in our elegant Keswick hotel.

Tuesday, September 28: Rosthwaite to Keswick (7 miles; 560 feet elevation gain; 590 feet elevation loss)

We have an easy day today, as we walk through Borrowdale, before following the shore of Derwent Water to Keswick.  There are lovely views of the mountains around the most beautiful of the Lake District’s lakes.  We will probably finish the day early, walking to our hotel in Portinscale, allowing us time to relax in the spa, to which hotel guests have access, explore the hotel grounds, or visit Keswick.  Keswick is the major center of tourism in the northern Lakes and is known for its shops with outdoor gear.  Granted its market charter in 1276, the market continues to this day.  Another option is a short taxi ride up to Castlerigg, a Bronze Age circle of massive stones, where you can make your own guess as to the purpose of the stones. 

Wednesday, September 29:  Keswick to Caldbeck (15 miles; 2,870 feet elevation gain; 2600 feet elevation loss)

Today is a longer day, the most challenging of the trip, the distinctive character being the windswept moorland below the mountains of Skiddaw and Blencathra.  We’ll start hiking directly from the hotel, which will give us the time we need to complete this the literal high point of the adventure.  After passing the remote hostel of Skiddaw House we climb up Grainsgill Beck, an old tungsten mining area, crossing the highest point of the whole walk, High Pike at 2157 feet/658 meters, before descending to the village of Caldbeck, and our finish at The Oddfellows Arms. This day is quite beautiful and worth the extra effort.  However, those, who wish to stay in Keswick for the day instead will have a number of attractive options such as a boat ride on Derwentwater, a visit to the mysterious Castlerigg Stone Circle, or a museum visit.

Thursday, September 30:  Caldbeck to Carlisle (9 miles; 550 feet elevation gain; 1050 feet elevation loss)

The route for the last day passes Caldbeck church, where the grave of John Peel, the legendary huntsman, can be seen, then follows through Cumbrian countryside, following the River Caldew most of the day.  We pass Rose Castle, 13th century home of the Bishop of Carlisle, before finishing the walk in the city of Carlisle near the castle. Congratulations!  You have completed the Cumbria Way. If time allows you can proudly sign the route log book that is located in the Old Town Hall.

Friday, October 1:  Farewell to the Cumbria Way

After breakfast today we say good-bye to the Cumbria Way and depart for home or other adventures.

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due to season, special events or weather.  We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances and opportunities that mandate change may arise.  Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Your Guide:  John Morrell

John is an experienced hiker with over 30 years' experience. A qualified Mountain Leader and First Aider with a degree in Geography, he has been leading groups of walkers in all parts of the UK for several years. Having moved to Windermere in the Lake District to be nearer the mountains, he enjoys hikes observing flora and fauna through the changing seasons, as much as getting to the tops of the high fells.  He regards nature, local history and the landscape as important ingredients when planning a day's walk.  He has also hiked in Europe on many occasions, including the French, Swiss and Austrian Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites and Ireland.

Group Size

The trip will be held to a maximum of 12 participants.  A minimum of five participants will be will be required for the trip to take place.  Please do not make air travel arrangements until we have confirmed with you that the minimum number of guests has been reached for the trip to take place.

Cancellation Policy

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, the following schedule applies and is determined by the day that we receive written notification:

We strongly recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.  Please make sure that your policy includes mountain rescue.  Information on travel insurance is located at http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html. 

Included in Price

Not Included in Price

The Bredeson Outdoor Adventures Loyalty Program

Questions and How to Sign Up

Contact Deborah Lewis at (1-866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 1-203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com for sign-up materials or if you have questions.  You can also obtain a Trip Reservation Request and a Release form on our website http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html.

You may also download the full itinerary.  

After We Receive Your Reservation

After we have received your reservation, we will provide you with detailed additional information including joining instructions, a packing list, a reading list, and other trip preparation details. 

We hope that you will join us on this grand adventure!

Contact us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com