A new 193 km (120-mile) walking route through some of northern England’s most scenic landscapes is set to officially open this month, linking the North Pennines with the shores of Morecambe Bay.
The Westmorland and Furness Way will launch on 15 September, creating a six-stage long-distance route from Alston, England’s highest market town, to the medieval ruins of Furness Abbey in Cumbria. The launch will take place as part of the Sedbergh Walking and Wellbeing Festival, which runs from 14 to 20 September.
Developed by Westmorland and Furness Council, the route uses existing trails wherever possible and crosses a varied mix of landscapes. Walkers will pass through the North Pennines National Landscape, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park before continuing towards Morecambe Bay and the Furness coast.
The 193 km (120-mile) trail has been divided into six sections, allowing walkers to tackle individual stretches as day walks or weekend trips, or complete the entire route over a longer walking holiday. The full journey is expected to take between 8 and 17 days.
The first section, from Alston to Milburn, covers 26 km (16 miles) and is estimated to take one to two days. From there, walkers follow the Eden to Kirkby Stephen over 37 km (23 miles), before continuing through the Yorkshire Dales and Howgills to Sedbergh.
The longest section is the 43 km (27-mile) stretch from Sedbergh to Bowness, which takes walkers towards the Lake District and the shores of Windermere. The route then continues from Bowness to Ulverston before finishing with a 27 km (17-mile) section from Ulverston to Furness Abbey.
Along the way, the trail features high fells, open moorland, rolling countryside, rivers, woodlands and coastal landscapes. It also highlights the area’s cultural and industrial heritage, including mining, mills and boat building. New signage and interpretation boards will be installed along the route.
The idea for the route originally came from local walker and guidebook writer David Pitt, with the council subsequently developing the signed trail.
“We are incredibly proud to have developed the spectacular Westmorland and Furness Way, designed to connect both visitors and local communities with our rich heritage, nature and diverse landscapes. “This new walking route will celebrate our stunning area and make it even more accessible, creating a connected path from Alston all the way to Furness Abbey,” said Councillor Adrian Waite, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Environmental Services and Transport.
A ‘Walker’s Passport’ scheme will also be introduced, with designated stamping points at participating venues along the route. Westmorland and Furness Council says the scheme is intended to support local businesses and charities while marking walkers’ progress.
“As well as being an excellent way to exercise and keep fit and healthy, the route will also provide opportunities for regenerative tourism and economic boosts for communities along the route, with walkers looking for places to eat, drink and sleep as they navigate their journey,’’ the Council highlights in the press release.
With its official launch approaching, the Westmorland and Furness Way will add a new long-distance option for walkers looking to explore the varied landscapes of Cumbria and northern England on foot.
