3-Day Cumbria Way Route Itinerary - Trail Runner Pace

Cover the full southern section in a single day. Run from Ulverston through farmland and low fells, past Beacon Tarn and along Coniston Water's lakeshore. Push through Coniston and up to Tarn Hows, then descend to Skelwith Bridge where you pass Skelwith Force waterfall. Follow the River Brathay to emerge onto Elterwater Common with the Langdale Pikes rising ahead, and finish at the charming village of Elterwater where the Britannia Inn awaits.

The crux day through the trail's most dramatic terrain. Push through Chapel Stile and deep into Great Langdale beneath the Langdale Pikes, then tackle the steep climb over Stake Pass. Descend through the remote Langstrath valley past waterfalls and Black Moss Pot to Rosthwaite. Run the flat riverside path through Borrowdale and along Derwentwater to Keswick. From town, tackle the exposed climb beneath Lonscale Crags with panoramic views across to the Helvellyn range, before reaching Skiddaw House at 470m, Britain's highest and most remote hostel.

The final push on Route B's direct fell route. Climb to the trail's highest point near Grainsgill Beck before descending past the impressive Whitewater Dash waterfall. The trail runner's route takes a more direct line across the high fells, bypassing Peter House Farm and descending to Caldbeck for a quick refuel at the Oddfellows Arms. Then follow the River Caldew downstream through meadows, past Sebergham and through Dalston. The riverside path carries you all the way into Carlisle to finish at the Market Cross, the Cumbria Way complete in three hard days.