Cumbria

Cumbria has to be one of the finest counties in England for walking. Everyone has their own favourite county, of course, but most country walking enthusiasts would put Cumbria high up on their list because of The Lake District National Park. If you are looking for information about this glorious gem of the English countryside you will find it is covered under National Parks (see navigation at left). In this section we are focusing on the part of Cumbria outside the National Park.

So, what is left of Cumbria once The Lake District National Park is removed? Well, the answer is an abundance of hidden gems where you can walk in peace and tranquility, perhaps without seeing another living soul, except for the local fauna. In the main summer months of July and August the astute walker will avoid the Lakeland Fells and enjoy the delights of Cumbria's outer regions.

The Eden Valley, from the river's source at Mallerstang all the way to Carlisle, offers superb low level routes with fine views looking north to the Pennines and Alston, the highest market town in England. Along the wooded river valley are numerous picturesque sandstone villages set amongst green rolling fields. In all directions the views are stunning, the Lakeland mountains, the Howgills to the south and the northern Pennines. Eden's charm lies in its illusion of remoteness; the famous Settle to Carlisle railway follows the valley, and yet it is undiscovered by all but a few discerning walkers. The ideal way to discover this region is to walk The Eden Way (see guide below), but great satisfaction will be found just spending a day or weekend of discovery here.

In the west, the Solway Coast of Cumbria offers some spectacular sea views, broad stretches of splendid sand and interesting walks where you can discover the nature and wildlife of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At Silloth, where the excellent sands are backed by grassy dunes, there are glorious views across the Solway Firth to the mountainous panorama of Scotland. Inland too, there is great walking along delightful valleys leading into the western fells of The Lake District. With the exception of a few industrial areas, mainly Workington and Whitehaven, the coast south to Millom is a splendid mixture of rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. The southern peninsular extending into Morecambe Bay, flanked by the market towns of Ulverston and Grange-over-Sands, also provides good walking with the splendid backdrop of the Langdale Pikes.

Long Distance Paths Traversing Cumbria
Allerdale Ramble; Coast to Coast Walk; Cumberland Way; Cumbria Way; Dales Way; Eden Way; Furness Way; Lady Anne's Way; Pennine Way; Teesdale Way

	Guide Books: [For further information or to purchase] See Lake District National Park for more books
	Country Walks around Kendal by: Mary Welsh with illustrations by Christine Isherwood. The 25 circular walks in this book radiate from the bustling town of Kendal - the gateway to the Lakes. The routes vary in length from four to ten miles and visit villages such as Troutbeck, Staveley, Arnside and Winster. Each walk has a detailed route description and clear sketch map. The author describes the plants, trees, and birds that might be seen and adds archaeological and historical background. All the routes have been recently devised and they follow up-to-date rights of way, many of which are rarely walked. The walks are illustrated with exquisite pencil drawings by local artist Christine Isherwood.
	Walker's Guide to the Eden Valley by: Charlie Emett. This guidebook helps bring the countryside to life with a unique combination of detailed walks together with informative descriptions of all the points of interest along the way. Introductory chapters give the background to the area: landscape; geology; history; wildlife; flora. There are 20 circular walks from 3.5 to 15 miles, each with detailed route instructions, easy-to-follow maps and notes on starting points, parking, distances and walking times. Locations include Wild Boar Fell; Outhgill; Nateby; Kirkby Stephen; Winton; Warcop; Colby; Appleby; Dufton; Knock; Temple Sowerby; Kirkland; Little Salkeld; Armathwaite; Newbiggin; Wetheral; Carlisle; Burgh-by-Sands.
	Eden Valley by Paul Hannon. The Eden Valley is a special place, starting at the Yorkshire Dales and bounded by the Lake District and north Pennines. This guide contains 32 walks, concisely described and illustrated, leading you to the big names and hidden corners of this classic part of Cumbria. Distances vary from 3 to 10 miles. Explore a walkers' paradise from Cross Fell to Hell Gill, Mallerstang to the Eden Gorge, and High Cup Nick to Orton. Discover the market towns of kirkby Stephen and Appleby, a score of unspoilt villages and outstanding riverside paths.
	Howgill Fells by Paul Hannon. The Howgill Fells are a compact, well defined upland range situated in the north west corner of the Yorkshire Dales, yet wholly within Cumbria. The Fells, above the tiny market town of Sedbergh are bounded by the River Lune on two sides and the River Rawthey on the other. This guide contains 25 walks, leading you to every corner of this classic Pennine walking country. From Cautley Spout to the Calf discover a land of rolling green hills, endless ridges, sparkling streams and foaming waterfalls. Explore also the surrounding country: Garsdale, Borrowdale, Uldale, Rawtheydale and the Lune all offer further delights.
	Walking the Howgills by: Mary Welsh. There are 32 routes and over 200 miles of walks in and around the glorious Howgill Fells contained within these pages, and Mary's text is enhanced by the delightful illustrations of local artist Christine Isherwood. The walks have great variety, taking you into delightful villages, over gentle pastures, along startling white limestone terraces and over the rounded fells which have been likened to sleeping elephants. Mary Welsh has written more than 25 books of walks, and is a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers. The superb line drawings of Christine Isherwood tempt the walker to venture forth or stir evocative memories of walks a while ago.
	Walker's Guide to the Howgills and Dentdale by: David Leather. This guidebook helps bring the countryside to life with a unique combination of detailed walks together with informative descriptions of all the points of interest along the way. There are 20 circular walks from 3 to 13 miles. Locations include: Kirkby Lonsdale; Barbondale and Leek Beck; Barbon and Middleton Fell; Sedbergh and Dent; Gawthrop, Comb Scar and Flintergill; Deepdale; Ibbeth Peril; Upper Dentdale and Craven Way; Grisedale from Garsdale Head; Garsdale; Sedgwick Trail; Uldale and Wandale; Cautley Spout; Brigflatts; Crook o' Lune Bridge; Carlin Gill and Black Force; Borrowdale from Tebay; Greenholme; Orton and Great Asby Scar; Gree Bell and source of the Lune.
	Walks in Mysterious North Lakeland by: Graham Dugdale. This highly unusual collection is designed to appeal to those with enquiring minds. It provides a unique opportunity to visit places with a tantalising, mythical history. There are 30 walks to choose from, all carefully graded for both distance and total ascent, so you can select those with the greatest personal appeal. Each walk features remarkable hand-calligraphed maps and stylish, entertaining writing that is almost as good to read by a roaring log fire as on the open fells. The walk locations are: Shap (4); Kirkby Stephen (3); Cockermouth (2); Appleby (3); Penrith (2); Pooley Bridge (2); Keswick (4); Askham; Caldbeck; Mungrisdale (2); Grange-in-Borrowdale; Glenridding; Seatoller; Bassenthwaite; Buttermere; Braithwaite.
	Best Pub Walks in the Lakeland Fringes by: Neil Coates. The walks locations encircle the National Park boundary, along lakesides and mountain paths, through woodland rich in wildlife, to fells sprinkled with lily-covered tarns and burns tumbling through fern-fronded gorges. The walk locations are: Bigland Tarn; Selside and Whinfell Tarn; Bletherbarrow and Oxen Park; Blawith Knott; In Dunnerdale; Kentmere Tarn; Heugh Scar and Barton Church; Dacre and Dalemain; Kirksanton and Great Knott; Swinside's Stones; Four Stones Hill; Shap Abbey and the Lowther Valley; The Vale of Nightshade; The villages of East Furness; Muncaster Fell; Irton Pike and the Irt Valley; Gurnal Dubs; Gosforth and Calder Abbey; Greystoke; Bowscale and the Caldew Valley; Back'o Caldbeck Fell; Ennerdale Water; Chapel Wood and Sale Fell; Ireby and Uldale; Low Lorton and Southwaite.