Westmorland Way

This scenic walk through the historic county of Westmorland and the Lake District National Park begins at Appleby in the shadow of the Pennines and ends at Arnside on the shores of Morecambe Bay.

Beginning in Appleby, a picturesque town dominated by its sturdy Norman Castle, the Westmorland Way crosses the lush pastures of the Eden Valley through a string of pretty red sandstone villages to Shap. After visiting Shap Abbey the trail follows the banks of the River Lowther to Askam, a delightful village with two greens surrounded by fine 17th century cottages, before crossing Heughscar Hill to the attractive village of Pooley Bridge, with far-reaching views over Ullswater. Then it follows the lakeside path through meadows and ancient oak, birch and hazel woods to the hamlet of Patterdale at the head of the lake, where it joins an old packhorse track cutting through the hills of the Helvellyn range to the picturesque village of Grasmere. From Elterwater in the beautiful Langdale valley, the trail meanders downstream beside the River Brathay to the lively little town of Ambleside. It visits Jenkin Crag, which provides glorious views across Windermere to the Langdale Pikes, and Troutbeck, famous for its named wells, bank barns and beautiful 17th century farmhouses with mullioned windows and the tall cylindrical chimneys so characteristic of Westmorland. After exploring the medieval market town of Kendal, with its interesting yards, ginnels and alleyways, the Westmorland Way leaves the town beside the River Kent. Several lovely riverside miles later, it leaves the river and follows the Lancaster Canal to the village of Holme, where woodland paths lead over the hillocks of Fairy Steps and Arnside Knott to Arnside on the shores of Morecambe Bay.