Cumbria Way Run

Cumbria Way Run

A trail running holiday through Cumbria from Ulverston to Carlisle.

3 to 6 nights
73 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding

From £410 per person

Find your holiday

About this route

3 to 6 nights
73 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding
27th March to 31st October

From £410 per person

Cumbria Way Run

Following mainly low-level paths along valleys and over passes, the Cumbria Way Run explores the delights of the Lake District without the worry of more technical or wilder terrain.

The route cuts through classic Lakeland territory, including dramatic Langdale, much-mythologised Borrowdale, Derwent Water, Skiddaw Forest, Caldbeck and more. This is the land of William Wordsworth and Alfred Wainwright, who called the fells his “magic mountains”.

The Cumbria Way is the perfect choice for exploring England's most spectacular scenery, especially for those wanting an approachable challenge.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Cumbria Way Run map
Ulverston/Carlisle
73 miles (117 km)
27th March to 31st October

Holiday highlights

Following the shores of iconic lakes, from Coniston Water to Elterwater.

Running beneath the dramatic mountain ranges of Helvellyn, Skiddaw and the Langdale Pikes.

Making your way north through the Lakes to Carlisle, where you can explore Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle Castle, and Carlisle Cathedral.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
R-CUMW1 From Ulverston to Carlisle 3 nights, 2 days running Demanding £410
R-CUMW2 From Ulverston to Carlisle 4 nights, 3 days running Moderate / Demanding £530
R-CUMW3 From Ulverston to Carlisle 5 nights, 4 days running Moderate £655
R-CUMW4 From Ulverston to Carlisle 6 nights, 5 days running Easy / Moderate £755

Cumbria Way Trail Run 3 nights, 2 days running

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights

Important information

Please note that due to the popularity of the Lake District as a holiday destination, accommodations in some towns have a two night minimum booking policy at weekends.

When planning your holiday dates we would advise to avoid arriving in Keswick, Coniston and Great Langdale/Dungeon Ghyll on a Friday or Saturday night if possible.  If you are unable to avoid arriving on a Friday or Saturday night an additional supplement may be necessary, or alternatively, transfers to and from nearby accommodation may be provided.  Any transfers required are included in the holiday cost. You will be contacted if an additional supplement should arise for your booking. 

Start

Travel to Ulverston where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

Ulverston to Rosthwaite. 35.5 miles (56.5km) / 4760 ft (1451 m) ascent

Day 2

Rosthwaite to Carlisle. 38 miles (60.5km) / 4009 ft (1222 m) ascent

Finish

Depart from Carlisle after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£60.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£50.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Cumbria Way Run map
Ulverston/Carlisle
73 miles (117 km)
27th March to 31st October

Holiday highlights

Following the shores of iconic lakes, from Coniston Water to Elterwater.

Running beneath the dramatic mountain ranges of Helvellyn, Skiddaw and the Langdale Pikes.

Making your way north through the Lakes to Carlisle, where you can explore Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle Castle, and Carlisle Cathedral.

What's included?

  • 3 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

As the Cumbria Way passes through the iconic Lake District, it is not surprising that the trail visits many wonderful locations; for those in need of a rest stop or wanting to explore an area more thoroughly, you can add extra days into your holiday to really make the most of your run.

The settlement of Rosthwaite is a great rest stop for runners, with a quiet atmosphere that allows you to unwind and relax surrounded by beautiful countryside. Spend the day enjoying a gentle walk or recovery run around the local area, before taking your pick of the fantastic pubs, tearooms and restaurants in which to refuel ready for the rest of the trail.

Many people like to have an extra night?s stay at the end of the trail in Carlisle, the largest city in England with a thriving community and fascinating history. Visit the award winning Tullie House Museum, the 12th century cathedral, the half-timbered guildhall that houses a local history museum and the vast medieval castle, with its ancient chambers, stairways and the dungeons that contain the infamous 'licking stones'. As well as these and all of the usual amenities, Carlisle is a fantastic destination for shopping, dining, getting pampered at a health centre and generally enjoying the achievement of completing your trail run along the Cumbria Way.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 73 miles (117 km)
Duration: 3 nights, 2 days running
Minimum daily distance: 35.5 miles (56.5 km)
Maximum daily distance: 38 miles (60.5 km)
Code: R-CUMW1 Grade: Demanding
Season: 27th March - 31st October
Start of holiday: Ulverston
End of holiday: Carlisle

Route Profile

Cumbria Way Trail Run Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major city and international airports are Manchester, Leeds-Bradford, and Glasgow.

By Rail - There is a rail station at the start of the trail (Ulverston) and also at the end of the trail (Carlisle).

By Bus - Various bus services run to Ulverston and from Carlisle.

From London - Trains run from London Euston station to Ulverston.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail, is to take the train from Carlisle to Ulverston.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.