2021 is Cumbria’s Year of the Coast and what better way to celebrate that than to get out into the great outdoors and explore this wonderful area. To help you, we have some free downloadable walking routes around the St Bees area of the Western Lake District. Click on the links below to view and download the routes, then explore this great part of Cumbria.
The Lake District Coast offers plenty of opportunities for a good walk – whether you’d like to take a short stroll along the beach or go the whole hog with a climb up one of the western fells, there are both high and low level routes for everyone. If you’re unsure of which way to go, organised walks are good options for those not so familiar with a map or a compass!
Whether a big walk…
The region abounds in long distance paths and big mountain days out, some amongst the most popular ever and others undeservedly less obscure. Fancy a big day out?
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Not all walks are as big as the Wainwright Coast to Coast; from its start at St Bees to finish at Robin Hoods Bay a total of 192 miles, it is nevertheless one of the most popular long distance walks ever anywhere.
Of course, England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike draws the hiking crowds for individual ascents plus the various organised Britain’s Three Peak events. Its location lends itself to a number of fine round-trip ascents from all sides – Wasdale, Seathwaite, Langdale or Eskdale. The Western Lakes also includes some more illustrious high days out, such as the Pillar-Steeple-Red Pike-Yewbarrow round from Wasdale Head, Skiddaw, the Coniston Old Man circuit and the Helvellyn north-south ridge walk from the western side.
The original Old Man Alfred Wainwright remains a reliable guide to the high mountains and no walker should be without an Ordnance Survey map.
Guided Walks for all
There are always options to join an organised walk; ideal if you’re not a confident navigator, don’t know the area or just for the benefit of an experienced guide’s knowledge.
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The Cumbria Wildlife Trust also run guided walks to local reserves plus have a new range of self-guided wildlife walks created by blogger Beth Pipe. See their website for details.
…or just get away from it all…
You don’t have to be an alpinist to enjoy walking and there are options aplenty for lower-level routes, round the lake circuits and short outings for a sedate day out.
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The quietness of the countryside away from selected honeypots will astonish those more used to the busy paths of the more accessible central Lake District, with it being entirely possible to go walking on a bank holiday Monday and not see a soul.
Equipment Hire
Looking for bike and cycling equipment hire? Look at providers in the area below.
…or how about a different adventure?
There’s far more to the Western Lakes than walking and cycling. Here’s where you can find out about a host of other activities, for a day out less ordinary.
What will you try?
Climb, ghyll-scramble, sail, canoe, paddle-board, wild-swim, ride a horse, mush some huskies – the world is your oyster. Bring your own gear or sign up with a local accredited activity provider.
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Find an adventure provider
Check out adventure activity providers in our local area below.