The Cumbrian Coastal Way is a scenic walking route that begins, or ends, at Silverdale on the edge of the Lake District National Park and journeys along the stunning Cumbrian coast to Metal Bridge in the north of the county. Highlights include the soaring cliffs of St Bees, the incredible views across the Solway Firth from England to Scotland, the vibrant harbours of Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport and the miles of sandy beach at the point where the Lake District mountains meet the sea.
This 182 mile, or 293 kilometre, walking route can be walked in its entirety and takes anything from 10 days or it can be broken down into sections, as we have detailed below. You don’t even have to walk all of it, but each section has its own unique terrain, scenery and local gems that you don’t want to miss out on. Loosely followed by the Cumbrian Coast Line railway, you can walk sections and take sections by train as you prefer, ensuring you can take in all of the Cumbrian coastline.
This walking route was established in the 1990s as part of a plan to create a continuous walking path along the English coast, connecting coastal towns and villages throughout the country. Work is ongoing and most sections of the coastal walking route in Cumbria are open although some sections are on permissive paths and others have planned works and improvements in progress and the occasional diversion may be in place.
When King Charles was crowned, the then Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the England Coast Path would be renamed to commemorate his coronation and in May 2023 the walking route was renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path National Trail.
Although you can walk much of the path right now as it joins existing sections of walking route, the expected official completion date is spring 2026. You can find updates and information via the Natural England National Trail map.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the fantastic places to visit on this beautiful walking trail through Cumbria.
Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay is the coastal nook where Lancashire and Cumbria meet. With vast sandy beaches and the largest expanse of tidal mudflats in the UK, this estuary is home to a plethora of birdlife and diverse marine habitats.
The start of the Cumbria Coastal Way is Silverdale which is on the cusp of Lancashire. Silverdale and Arnside sit side by side and are both part of the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape, formerly known as Arnside and Silverdale AONB. This area is known for its lush landscapes, scenic outlooks and understated coastal character.
Highlights of the start to this coastal way include strolling along the estuary with your binoculars bird watching to the stunning backdrop of the Lake District southern fells on one side and the Cumbrian coast to the other.
The Peninsulas
After traversing the estuary above Morecambe Bay, our Cumbria walk takes a turn west along the southern peninsulas passing Grange-over-Sands, Cartmel, Ulverston, Barrow-in-Furness, Askham-in-Furness and Broughton-in-Furness before hitting the west coast of Cumbria at Millom and Haverigg.
Here you’ll find the picturesque bays of Haverigg beach and Millom beach as well as RSPB Hodbarrow Nature Reserve which are all watched over by Black Combe fell, the most southern of the Lake District peaks.
Stop in Haverigg for fish and chips on the beach and a quiet place to rest the night.
Heading North
Now you’ve hit the western coast of Cumbria proper, your walk will take in the many pretty Cumbrian beaches that sprawl along the coastline here. Notable stretches of sand are Silecroft beach and Drigg beach which are especially gorgeous. In between the two are small fishing villages, hidden bays and farms that overlook the sea.
Make sure you stop at the village of Ravenglass, an ancient site where the remains of a Roman bathhouse are preserved, and the start of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. This is a single-gauge scenic trainline that runs steam trains 7 miles inland to Eskdale and back again.
Muncaster Castle is just a short deviation from your route and well worth a visit with sprawling gardens, a historic home, bird of prey centre and an exciting calendar of events on all year round.
Mountains Meet Sea
Seascale is the coastal village just a mile from inland Gosforth, the gateway to Wasdale and Eskdale. Here the high mountains of the western Lake District are visible from the Cumbrian coast making this a particularly pretty stretch of coastline. You’ll be able to spot the vast site that is Sellafield here, a decommissioned nuclear power plant, that juts into the sea and is absolutely fascinating to see.
Enjoy a picnic to this dramatic backdrop on Seascale Beach before heading on your way.
Heritage Coast
From Seascale to St Bees, your Cumbria walk will be taking you to the most westerly point of northern England, the dramatic cliffs of St Bees Head. This stretch of coastline is a designated Heritage Coast site which is renowned for its natural beauty and important heritage, as the name suggests!
Most famous for being the start of the Coast to Coast walk across northern England, St Bees beach is worth an afternoon. Stop at the café here for lunch or a hot drink before continuing on your way. Keep your binoculars handy as you cross the cliffs and deviate down to Fleswick Bay to explore the awesome sandstone pools and caves underneath the headland.
Solway Firth
From St Bees you begin to head slightly northeast along the coastline towards Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport. These historic port towns have fabulous harbours and marinas where you can spot fishing boats and leisure boats dotted along wharfs that offer glimpses into the industrial roots of these important coastal towns.
Stop in any of the towns mentioned above for a choice of places to stay, shops to visit and eateries to dine at. We particularly like the Beacon Museum in Whitehaven which sits in an old lighthouse overlooking the sea and contains exhibits about the history of this illustrious stretch of Cumbrian coastline.
Above Maryport you begin to walk along the Solway Firth, an estuary that separates Cumbria in England from Dumfries and Galloway in southern Scotland. With dramatic views of the mountains to the south and the sea and Scotland to the north, this stretch is particularly attractive.
Historic Carlisle
Passing Allonby, Silloth, Bowness-on-Solway along the Solway Coast National Landscape, formerly known as the Solway Coast AONB, you’ll walk past nature reserves, vast sandy bays and a wind farm or two on your way to the capital of Cumbria, Carlisle.
Carlisle was an ancient border city and the northwestern frontier of the Roman Empire. The various Roman sites in Carlisle and along Hadrian’s Wall are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are absolutely fascinating.
Deviate off your coastal walking route and spend a while in Carlisle. There are loads of places to stay, eat and visit. We recommend Carlisle Castle, Carlisle Cathedral and Tullie House as all favourites of ours.
From Carlisle, walk north again towards Gretna Green in Scotland, that famous wedding spot, but stop just short of here at Metal Bridge, the final stop on your Cumbrian Coast Walk.
Keep on Walking
If you want to continue exploring our lovely county on foot, there are a few walking routes that are easily accessible from the King Charles III England Coast Path National Trail.
Coast to Coast
The Cumbrian Coastal Way is a wonderful walking route traversing the very western edge of Cumbria, but you don’t have to stop there. Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walking route crosses the neck of England from St Bees in the west to Robin Hood’s Bay in the east. If you fancy exploring more of northern Cumbria, head inland from St Bees to cross the mountaintops of the northern Lake District fells and take in this historic trek following in Wainwright’s footsteps.
Hadrian’s Wall
Alternatively, you could explore Hadrian’s Wall country and follow the ancient route at the very frontier of the Roman Empire. This route is collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Roman remains, forts, battlements and buildings you’ll find scattered across this historic wall which was erected to maintain the northwest border of the Roman Empire.
For more things to do in the western Lakes and along the coast of Cumbria check out our things to do page for inspiration.
