Long Distance Walks
The Ullswater Way
The 
Ullswater Way is a stunning 20 mile walking route around Ullswater. The route can be walked in either direction and from any starting point. Why not walk the route in shorter sections, using an open top bus or 'Steamer' to start your journey!
- Download the official map and guide from the Ullswater.org website.
The Dalemain Loop
Following the fantastic success of the 'Ullswater Way' footpath around the shores of Lake Ullswater, there is also an official
'loop' extension, 'The Dalemain Loop.'
At approximately 5 miles, The Dalemain Loop can be started from Pooley Bridge or Dalemain Mansion and allows visitors to travel on foot along the banks of the River Eamont. The route leads walkers through historic pasture lands and the charming village of Dacre, which boasts a castle, an ancient church with mysterious stone 'bears', and the Horse and Farrier Inn.
The Loop is well signposted and an illustrated account of the walk can also be found in the Official Guide to the Ullswater Way. The guide is available from businesses around the Ullswater Way, with £1 for every copy sold donated to the National Park to help maintain the route. It is also on sale at Penrith Tourist Information Centre.
The Lowther Castle Loop
Another 'loop' to explore is The Lowther Castle Loop. The circular 7.5 mile route sets off from Lowther Castle and follows the banks of the Lowther river, through the hamlet of Helton and then up to Askham Fell with its panoramic views. It returns through the charming village of Askham.
More information on the Dalemain Loop and Lowther Castle Loop is available on the Ullswater website.
The Eamont Way - Penrith to Pooley Bridge
The Eamont Way is a new signed walking trail of 5.5 miles connecting Penrith to Pooley Bridge. Starting at Penrith Railway Station, the route follows a signed walking route all the way to Pooley Bridge village via the beautiful River Eamont valley. More information is available on the Friends of the Lake District website.
Pooley Bridge to Aira Force
From Pooley Bridge the Ullswater Way takes you on paths through woodland and fields to Maiden Castle. Once a defended settlement, it is now hidden by grass, but from this raised vantage point you have spectacular views down the Ullswater Valley, and also to the Pennines to the east and Blencathra to the
north. (6.5 miles / 10.7km). For more information visit the Ullswater.org website.
Aira Force to Glenridding
This section includes the magnificent waterfalls at Aira. Allow time to explore the paths through the old woodlands and landscaped glades before reaching the spectacular stone arch bridge spanning the 65 foot waterfall. (3 miles / 4.6km). For more information visit the Ullswater.org website.
Glenridding to Howtown
The Ullswater Way now weaves its way with the road, but on good paths and clear crossings. The route passes King George V playing fields – named “the prettiest field in England” by William Wordsworth, before crossing the open valley to Side Farm and heading back northwards along and above the shores of Ullswater. (6.5 miles / 10.5km). For more information visit the Ullswater.org website.
Howtown to Pooley Bridge
Just beyond Howtown, the Way takes you up onto the moorland edge with extensive views over Ullswater. (5 miles / 8km). For more information visit the Ullswater.org website.
Coast to Coast Walk
Devised by the late Alfred Wainwright in 1973, this demanding route runs for 190miles (304km) between St Bees and Robin Hood's Bay. It links Irish and North Seas via high tops in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks. In Eden, the route runs from Patterdale to the western shore of Haweswater and then through Shap, Orton and Kirkby Stephen. For more information visit The Wainwright Society website.
Get help organising your walking holiday on the Coast to Coast with Eden-based operator Coast to Coast Packhorse.
Isaac's Tea Trail
Isaac's Tea Trail is a 36 mile circular route within the North Pennines National Landscape that links Alston with 
Allendale in Northumberland. The trail follows in the footsteps of Isaac Holden, an itinerant tea seller and local philanthropist of the 1800's. The countryside is one of stunning landscapes of river valleys and heather moors. Reminders from Isaac's times and even further back are never far away. The full route can be undertaken over a long weekend or more comfortably doing shorter sections and taking longer. Isaac's Tea Trail has been described by The Guardian as "England's last great wilderness trek."
More information on the walk is available on the Isaac's Tea Trail website. 
Lady Anne's Way
This classic long distance route runs for 100miles (161km) from Skipton to Penrith, passing through some stunning scenery on its journey. Starting from Skipton Castle, the walk passes through the Yorkshire Dales on its way into the Upper Eden Valley and through Kirkby Stephen and Appleby before finishing in Brougham, Penrith.
The route was inspired by Lady Anne Clifford who travelled repeatedly between her castles and the route takes in the ruins of these historical buildings. A statue of Lady Anne Clifford proudly stands in front of the town's visitor centre.
Visit the Lady Anne's Way website for more information on the route.
Lakeland to Lindisfarne
This 199mile (320km) coast to coast walk starts from Ravenglass in the Lake District to Holy Island off the Northumberland coast. The route takes the walker over the Pennines and both high and low level alternative routes are offered.
Pennine Way National Trail
Britain's most challenging long distance route follows the Pennine mountain range for 268miles (429km) from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. You can walk short sections of the route in Eden with walks from Garrigill and Dufton.
The Pennine Way celebrated its 50th Anniversary in April 2015 and a special four part BBC1 series 'The Pennine Way' was broadcast throughout April.
Visit the National Trails website for more information or contact Penrith Tourist Information Centre.
Alternative Pennine Way
Although an old route, now out of print The Alternative Pennine Way is a rather lower level route than the Pennine Way, which passes through attractive villages and points of interest. The Way descends from the high fells to reach the River Tees then crosses the fells to High Cup, Great Dunfell and Cross Fell. It then descends to Alston to reach the Northumberland National Park and Hadrian's Wall.
Contact Penrith Tourist Information Centre for more information.
South Tyne Trail
The South Tyne Trail follows the route of the River South Tyne from the source to Haltwhistle. Open to walkers and cyclists, it is almost 23 miles (36.5km) long and is a fantastic two-day experience in the North Pennines.
Visit the North Pennines National Landscape website for more information.
The High Cup Nick walk
'The High Cup Walk' featured on the ITV1 series 'Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury'. Starting in Dufton, near Appleby, it's 8.9 miles (14.41 km) and takes in some stunning views along the way.
The Cumberland Way
Although now classed as an 'old route' the Cumberland Way is an 80mile (129km) walk takes in the historic county of Cumberland and the Lake District National Park. The route begins in Ravenglass, heading through Nether Wasdale and Keswick. It then follows the old coach 'road' around the foothills of the Helvellyn range to Aira Force waterfall in Ullswater. The Cumberland Way then follows a path around Gowbarrow Fell - with magnificent views over Ullswater to enjoy. It continues on to the village of Dacre, before heading to Eamont Bridge, Penrith.
Contact Penrith Tourist Information Centre for more information.
The Dales High Way
This stunning high level route was devised by walkers in 2007. It's an exhilarating and challenging 90 miles that is gaining in
popularity every year.
The walk starts in the World Heritage village of Saltaire. It goes north through the Yorkshire Dales before crossing the Howgill Fells in a dramatic ridge walk. After Newbiggin-on-Lune the route reaches the isolated waters of Sunbiggin Tarn, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It then crosses Great Asby Scar, the finest area of limestone pavement in the UK outside Ingleborough. The Eden valley continues to surprise and delight as The Dales High Way passes the picturesque Rutter Mill and its stunning waterfall. It finishes with a riverside ramble into Appleby where walkers can catch the train to return on England's most beautiful railway line - the Settle-Carlisle Railway.
Information about the route including suggested itineraries is available from www.daleshighway.co.uk
The Eden Way
The Eden Way is an 80 mile (129km) route follows the River Eden from the Solway Firth through quiet countryside to the source on Mallerstang Edge, south of Kirkby Stephen. The route visits Carlisle, Wetheral, Armathwaite, Kirkoswald, Langwathby, Appleby, Warcop and Kirkby Stephen before finishing on Black Fell moss on the Mallerstang Edge.
The Howgills and Limestone Trail
The Howgills and Limestone Trail is a 74 mile (119km) long-distance walk from Kirkby Stephen to Settle. The Trail takes you through picturesque and, in parts, demanding area of Cumbria and North Yorkshire - with a short diversion into Lancashire.
It draws its inspiration from Alfred Wainwright's Walks in Limestone Country and Walks in the Howgill Fells. The route has strong associations with railways. It passes over the spectacular Smardale Gill viaduct, and close to the Stainmore Railway, the disused Ingleton and Tebay Railway, and the Settle-Carlisle railway. Visit the Pennine Journey website for more details.
The Miller's Way
The Miller's Way is a 51 mile (82km) walk between Kendal and Carlisle which runs through Eden. It was created by Carr's Breadmaker to commemorate the company's 175th anniversary. The route is based on the original journey made by Quaker Miller Jonathan Dodgson Carr. He founded the Carr's flour, bread and biscuit dynasty in Carlisle on June 29 1831 after leaving his home town of Kendal.
The Pennine Journey
This is a long-distance footpath of 247miles (398 km), of which 53miles are within Eden, including parts of the Eden Valley and Pennines. The footpath is based upon a circular walk which Alfred Wainwright undertook in 1938, setting off from Settle to Hadrian's Wall and back. The following year he wrote about his 'Pennine Journey' which was published in 1986. More information is available on the Pennine Journey website.
The Ravenber Way
The Ravenber Way passes through two National Parks. This is a long distance walk of 210 miles (338km).
The walk commences at Ravenglass. It passes Lakeland's finest array of high peaks, climbs over the high Pennines, traverses the northern moors and Cheviot Hills and ends at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The route follows existing rights of way in the form of footpaths, bridleways and tracks. Split into fourteen sections, it travels through a diversity of attractive scenery - mountains, high hills, rolling moorland, expansive forests and lush river valleys. There are options of alternative routes.
The way visits charming villages and towns and the journey includes a wealth of fascinating local history. Copies of the guidebook are available from Penrith Tourist Information Centre.
The Westmorland Heritage Walk
The Westmorland Heritage Walk was devised by Mark Richards and Christopher Wright and first published in 1987. It is an attempt to approximately circumnavigate the old county of Westmorland and, in doing so, enjoy the stunning scenery on offer.
By taking all the high level routes, the walk measures 202 miles (325km) on the map and considerably more on the ground when all the twists and turns of the many steep paths are taken into account.
Starting in Arnside, the route travels through Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh, passing through Kirkby Stephen, Dufton, Milburn, Eamont Bridge and Patterdale, before returning back through Ambleside to Arnside.
Contact Penrith Tourist Information Centre for more information.
The Westmorland Way
The Westmorland Way is a 91 mile (146) walk through the old county of that name.
The route starts in Appleby (county town of Westmorland) and then travels west and generally southwards, winding its way through some glorious Lake District scenery. It passes Ullswater, Grasmere and Windermere, before visiting the market town of Kendal. From there it follows the canal and tracks through woodlands and meadows to Arnside, on the shores of Morecambe Bay.
Yorkshire Dales Centurion Walk
The Yorkshire Dales Centurion Walk is 100miles (161km) and described as an adventure walk around the Dales and Howgills and may be split into short or long distances. No route description is available, just a set of grid references and the names of the places to visit en route. The framework is one of five stages, each with a starting point, with the choice left to the individual walker of what to visit and what to avoid. Route options include ascents of the 'Yorkshire Three Peaks' (Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent) - along with the Coum, the Calf, Nine Standards Rigg, Tan Hill, Buckden Pike, Great Whernside and Plover Hill.
Yoredale Way
The Yoredale Way is a 72 mile (116km) walk starting in York and finishing in Kirkby Stephen. Between these two points the walker will pass through Yorkshire, before achieving their objective amongst the grandeur of the Pennines. Along the route are many interesting towns and villages to explore.
Sign up for our e-newsletter
An ice rink will open at Another Place, The Lak...
Paddington has taken a seat in Penrith as part...
In need of a conference venue?
