NORTH PENNINES · EDEN VALLEY · HOWGILLS · LAKES · FURNESS COAST · NAMED TRAIL
England's newest coast-to-fells crossing.
A 120-mile / 193 km north-to-south journey from Alston to Furness Abbey. Our featured plan follows the official 12-day holiday-pace itinerary, splitting the long six-section route at practical overnight towns.
01 / GET YOUR BEARINGS
Loading the map. Places along the route are listed below.
Location overview: numbered pins mark approximate places. Dotted connections show their order, not the walking path. Use the linked route maps for navigation.
OFFICIAL ROUTE + GPX
Visit Lake District publishes the six official sections and GPX downloads for the newly opened route. Use these files as the primary line and check current access notices before departure.
Open the official route and GPX ↗ (new tab)NO PRINTED GUIDEBOOK YET
The trail opened on 15 September 2026 and no route-specific printed guidebook is verified yet. Use the official stage pages and GPX files, and revisit this section as new guides appear.
Check current guidebook and mapping status ↗ (new tab)PAPER MAP BACKUP
A single trail map is not yet available. Carry the relevant Ordnance Survey Explorer coverage for the North Pennines, Eden Valley, Howgills, Lake District and Furness coast alongside your downloaded GPX.
Browse OS Explorer maps ↗ (new tab)The Westmorland & Furness Way opened on 15 September 2026. Waymarking and access works are still bedding in, so check the official route-update pages before every trip and do not rely on an older GPX alone.
02 / CHOOSE YOUR SUPPORT
You can change this as you plan.
03 / MAKE ROOM FOR THE WALK
Start with the route length. Then allow time to enjoy it.
Our featured plan follows the official holiday-pace itinerary exactly: 12 walking days with sensible town and village splits, including Milburn, Burneside, Satterthwaite and Newbiggin.
Walking-day ranges are planning estimates, not a booked daily itinerary. Choose actual overnight stops and check stage distances before reserving. Rest days add time; they do not shorten walking stages.
04 / THE PLACES ALONG THE WAY
The official 12-day itinerary is workable with indoor stays, but this is still a young trail. The major towns have good choice; Milburn, Satterthwaite and the final coastal split need more planning and may be easier with a short taxi or rail transfer.
On the trail means the property or official route source places the stay directly on the Way—no separate off-route transfer is normally planned. Near / stage stop means the stay is at a named stage stop, start or finish; the access note gives the most specific credible distance or relationship we found.
Use the named stay as your map anchor. "View hotel on route map" pins the property alongside approximate stage places. The dotted connections are not the surveyed trail and cannot measure a hotel-to-trail distance. "Open in Google Maps" helps inspect paths and directions; check the official route map for the marked trail. Any access distance or time below comes from its linked source and is labelled when property-reported.
| Place | Next walking section | Stays & trail access |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Alston · start | 16.2 mi / 26.0 km to Milburn Day 1 · about 26 km / 16 mi to Milburn across the North Pennines — one of the hardest days, so arrive in Alston the night before. |
Alston House Hotel ↗ (new tab)Independent hotel with restaurant · night-before base Alston is the northern trailhead. Stay in town the night before because bus links are limited and the first day is long and exposed. Eight rooms, food on site and a central Townfoot location make this a straightforward arrival-night anchor. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Official hotel accommodation and current opening information ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Alston · start ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 2 Milburn | 8.7 mi / 14.0 km to Appleby-in-Westmorland Day 2 · about 14 km / 8.6 mi to Appleby-in-Westmorland. Milburn has very little accommodation, so treat the overnight as a booking pinch point. |
Pennine Potting Shed · Dufton Barn Holidays ↗ (new tab)Small walkers' B&B in nearby Dufton Official route guidance warns that Milburn has very few beds and specifically suggests nearby Dufton or a taxi to Appleby or Penrith when Milburn is full. Use this as a practical nearby anchor only if the host and taxi plan work for your date. Confirm pickup from Milburn and return to the route the next morning before booking. Westmorland & Furness Way accommodation guidance for Milburn and Dufton ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Milburn ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 3 Appleby-in-Westmorland | 9.9 mi / 16.0 km to Brough Day 3 · about 16 km / 10.1 mi to Brough along the Eden Valley. |
Tufton Arms Hotel ↗ (new tab)Historic coaching inn · central Appleby Appleby is the official holiday-pace overnight split and has a station on the Settle–Carlisle line. The Tufton Arms sits in Market Square in the centre of town. A comfortable town-centre anchor with en-suite rooms and food. Avoid Appleby Horse Fair week unless you have booked well in advance. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Visit Appleby hotel listing ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Appleby-in-Westmorland ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 4 Brough | 4.3 mi / 7.0 km to Kirkby Stephen Day 4 · about 7 km / 4.3 mi to Kirkby Stephen — deliberately short after three longer days. |
The Wilding Hotel ↗ (new tab)Also available on Booking.com ↗ (new tab) Restored coaching inn · 17 rooms Brough is the official 12-day overnight stop. The Wilding is in the centre of Brough near Brough Castle and the A66. A strong practical anchor with 17 rooms, restaurant and bar. Check current food hours because public opening varies by day. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Visit Lake District Westmorland & Furness Way accommodation listing ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Brough ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 5 Kirkby Stephen | 5.6 mi / 9.0 km to Ravenstonedale Day 5 · about 9 km / 5.5 mi to Ravenstonedale. |
Black Bull Hotel ↗ (new tab)Traditional market-town pub with nine rooms Kirkby Stephen is a principal official stage town with good accommodation choice. The Black Bull sits on Market Street in the centre. Nine rooms, food and a central location make this a straightforward walking-holiday anchor. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Official Black Bull accommodation page ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Kirkby Stephen ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 6 Ravenstonedale | 12.4 mi / 20.0 km to Sedbergh Day 6 · about 20 km / 12.5 mi to Sedbergh on the official high-route holiday-pace option. |
The Black Swan Hotel ↗ (new tab)Victorian village inn with award-winning food Ravenstonedale is the official holiday-pace split between Kirkby Stephen and Sedbergh. The Black Swan is in the village and is geared to walkers. A comfortable rural anchor with rooms, dinner and breakfast in one place. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Ravenstonedale village accommodation directory ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Ravenstonedale ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 7 Sedbergh | 16.8 mi / 27.0 km to Burneside Day 7 · about 27 km / 17 mi to Burneside — the longest day of the featured holiday-pace plan. |
The Dalesman Country Inn ↗ (new tab)Also available on Booking.com ↗ (new tab) Four-Gold-Star coaching inn with restaurant Sedbergh is an official stage town and a natural rest-day candidate beneath the Howgills. The Dalesman is in the centre of town. Stylish rooms, restaurant and breakfast make this a comfortable reset before the long walk toward Burneside. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Official Dalesman accommodation information ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Sedbergh ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 8 Burneside | 9.9 mi / 16.0 km to Bowness-on-Windermere Day 8 · about 16 km / 10 mi to Bowness-on-Windermere. Burneside station makes this split unusually flexible. |
Jolly Anglers Inn ↗ (new tab)Village pub with four B&B rooms Burneside is the official holiday-pace split on Stage 4 and has a Lakes Line station. The Jolly Anglers is in the village and offers four B&B rooms. Book early because inventory is small. If it is full, the official route guidance suggests using the train to Kendal or Windermere for the night. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Official inn accommodation page ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Burneside ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 9 Bowness-on-Windermere | 5.6 mi / 9.0 km to Satterthwaite Day 9 · about 9 km / 5.5 mi to Satterthwaite, beginning with the Windermere ferry. |
The Royal Oak Inn ↗ (new tab)Also available on Booking.com ↗ (new tab) Traditional central Bowness inn Bowness is the end of official Stage 4 and start of Stage 5, with the route continuing across Windermere by ferry the next morning. A practical centre-of-town anchor with rooms and food close to the lakefront. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Official Royal Oak accommodation information ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Bowness-on-Windermere ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 10 Satterthwaite | 15.5 mi / 25.0 km to Ulverston Day 10 · about 25 km / 15.5 mi to Ulverston through Grizedale and Furness woodland. |
Red Lion Inn · Hawkshead ↗ (new tab)Historic inn with en-suite rooms Satterthwaite is a tiny official overnight split with very limited beds. Hawkshead, about four miles north, is a practical fallback when no suitable one-night stay is available in the village. Arrange a taxi from Satterthwaite and back to the route the next morning. The Red Lion has multiple en-suite rooms and food in central Hawkshead. Visit Lake District accommodation listing ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Satterthwaite ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 11 Ulverston | 8.7 mi / 14.0 km to Newbiggin · Furness coast Day 11 · about 14 km / 8.6 mi to Newbiggin along the Furness coast. |
Town House Ulverston ↗ (new tab)Central guesthouse in a Grade II listed house Ulverston is the end of Stage 5 and start of the final coastal section. Town House is in the centre with the railway station and restaurants a short walk away. A practical one-night anchor before the coast, with rail access useful for section walkers. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Official guesthouse location and accommodation information ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Ulverston ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 12 Newbiggin · Furness coast | 8.1 mi / 13.0 km to Furness Abbey · finish Day 12 · about 13 km / 8.4 mi to Furness Abbey. The coastal access line is new, so check the latest official Section 6 notice before setting out. |
The Clarkes Hotel · Rampside ↗ (new tab)Seafront hotel with en-suite rooms Newbiggin has little visitor accommodation. Rampside is a practical nearby coast base; use a prearranged taxi rather than assuming a walkable road connection after the stage. The Clarkes has en-suite rooms, food and Morecambe Bay views. Confirm the taxi pickup and return point before booking. Westmorland & Furness Council accommodation listing ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Newbiggin · Furness coast ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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| 13 Furness Abbey · finish | Finishing area Finish at the Furness Abbey ruins; Barrow-in-Furness station is the practical rail gateway home. |
Abbey House Hotel & Gardens ↗ (new tab)Four-star historic hotel beside Furness Abbey Abbey House sits beside Furness Abbey and the hotel states that the abbey is accessible from its grounds, making it an unusually clean finish-night anchor. Stay here if you want to turn the finish into a proper final night rather than heading straight to Barrow station. View hotel on route map ↓Open in Google Maps ↗ Official hotel history and Furness Abbey access information ↗ (new tab)Source checked 26 Sep 2026Broader Booking.com search around Furness Abbey · finish ↗ (new tab)Not filtered by distance from the trail. First open the named anchor stay above, then compare alternatives on the map and verify the walking route.
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These are lodging starting points, not reserved rooms. Access notes and any quoted distances come from the linked sources. Confirm your dates, room type, actual walking route and luggage collection with each property before booking.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS
Arrange transfers separately when booking your own walk.
Because the trail opened in September 2026, it does not yet have the mature baggage-transfer network found on the Coast to Coast or Cumbria Way. Some local taxis and accommodation hosts may move bags by prior arrangement, but build the walk assuming each transfer needs individual confirmation.
EARLY-TRAIL REALITY
Give each taxi or host the exact collection property, delivery property, date and bag count. Do not assume one company will carry a bag for all 12 days.
THIN OVERNIGHT STOPS
Milburn, Satterthwaite and Newbiggin may already require an off-route bed. When that happens, arrange the person transfer and bag movement together.
NO DEDICATED THROUGH-SERVICE YET
There is not yet a mature end-to-end baggage company for the new trail. Current planning guidance recommends arranging local taxi or host transfers individually and confirming every collection and drop-off in advance.
Check current baggage and transport options ↗ (new tab)Confirm current prices, operating dates, collection times, excluded properties, bag limits, liability and any finish storage directly.
No complete guided or self-guided package has been verified yet, so treat the lodging, baggage and rural transfers as separate bookings.
Confirm every overnight stop, taxi handoff and bag move before committing the surrounding stages.
See current package status →Arrive in Alston the night before, walk south, and use Barrow-in-Furness as the rail gateway after Furness Abbey.
The official route guidance currently points walkers to Haltwhistle station on the Carlisle–Newcastle line, then the 681 bus to Alston. Services are limited, so stay in Alston the night before rather than planning a same-morning connection.
Furness Abbey is served by the X6 bus toward Barrow or Ulverston. Barrow-in-Furness station has rail connections toward Lancaster and the West Coast Main Line.
Appleby and Kirkby Stephen are on the Settle–Carlisle line; Burneside is on the Lakes Line; Bowness connects by bus to Windermere station; and Ulverston has direct rail service. These links make section walking and weather bail-outs much easier than the route's remote appearance suggests.
Bus and ferry timetables can change seasonally. Confirm the Windermere ferry, Alston bus, rural taxi bookings and Furness Abbey connection for your exact dates.
05 / TRIPS OFFERED ON THIS TRAIL
The Westmorland & Furness Way only opened in September 2026. We have not verified a guided or self-guided operator selling the complete through-route yet, so we would rather show that clearly than pad the page with unrelated Lake District holidays.
Plan this one independently for now using the official 8-, 12- or 17-day itinerary, GPX files and the lodging anchors above. Recheck before booking: this is exactly the kind of new trail where operator support may appear quickly.
Open the official itineraries ↗06 / MAPS & WALKING TOOLS
This is a newly waymarked route that borrows sections of several established long-distance paths. The official advice is to carry paper maps and a compass and download the current GPX before walking.
BRITISH TOPO MAPPING
The official route distances are based on OS mapping. Use OS Maps for rights of way, contours and offline topographic context across the North Pennines, Howgills and Lake District.
Open OS Maps ↗ (new tab)OFFICIAL GPX
Download the current GPX from the official route pages rather than relying on an older community track. Each of the six main sections has its own route information and updates.
Download the official route files ↗ (new tab)ROUTE PLANNING
The official FAQ lists Komoot as one of the platforms carrying the route. Use it as a planning and offline-following layer, but keep the council GPX as the reference line.
Open Komoot ↗ (new tab)| Tool | Useful for | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| AllTrails ↗ | Viewing the route and comparing user-recorded tracks. | Cross-check the line against the newest official GPX and access updates. |
| Outdooractive ↗ | Route planning, elevation profiles and offline maps. | Download the relevant areas before entering the high or rural sections. |
| Mapy.com ↗ | A useful independent offline map layer. | Import the official GPX rather than rebuilding the route from scratch. |
| OsmAnd ↗ | Offline mapping and GPX display. | Download Cumbria and test the route in airplane mode before Stage 1. |
The route uses existing Pennine Way, Pennine Journey, Coast to Coast, Dales Highway, Dales Way, Cumbria Way and England Coast Path signage in places, plus new Westmorland & Furness Way markers elsewhere. Carry the relevant paper maps and a compass even if your phone is your primary navigator.
BEFORE THE BOOKINGS
This trail opened on 15 September 2026, so services are still developing. The official 12-day itinerary is a strong planning backbone, but some overnight stops sit a short distance from the route and limited-bed villages may require prearranged taxis. Recheck route updates, ferry/bus service and every rural accommodation before departure.
Confirm an indoor bed for every night, the distance to each stay, and how you will reach and leave the route.
Visit Lake District · official 8-, 12- and 17-day itineraries ↗Route Guide + verified lodging anchors · Facts checked 26 September 2026. Dates, access and services may change.
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