The Westmorland and Furness Way is a 120-mile (193 km) waymarked long-distance walking trail across Cumbria, running in six stages from Alston in the North Pennines to the ruins of Furness Abbey near Barrow-in-Furness. Developed by Westmorland and Furness Council, it officially opened on 15 September 2026.
Quick Facts
When Did the Westmorland and Furness Way Open?
The Westmorland and Furness Way officially opened on 15 September 2026, at a launch event in Sedbergh held as part of the town's annual Walking and Wellbeing Festival, and announced by Westmorland and Furness Council. Route and GPX data for all 6 stages was published on this site ahead of the official opening, so early walkers could plan before launch day.
The route was built on an original idea by local walker and guidebook writer David Pitt, and uses existing public rights of way wherever possible. The official opening brought new waymarking and interpretation boards along the way, telling the story of the area's lead mining, textile mills and boat building.
How Long Is the Route, and How Is It Split Up?
The Westmorland and Furness Way is 120 miles (193 km) long, split into 6 stages that each start and finish in a town or village you can reach by public transport.
| Stage | Route | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Alston to Milburn | 16.5 mi (26.6 km) | High |
| Stage 2 | Milburn to Kirkby Stephen | 24.8 mi (39.9 km) | Moderate |
| Stage 3 | Kirkby Stephen to Sedbergh | 12.9–15.7 mi (high / low route) | Moderate |
| Stage 4 | Sedbergh to Bowness-on-Windermere | 27 mi (43.4 km) | Challenging |
| Stage 5 | Bowness-on-Windermere to Ulverston | 20.9 mi (33.7 km) | Moderate |
| Stage 6 | Ulverston to Furness Abbey | 17.7 mi (28.5 km) | Easy |
For ascent, walking times and a full comparison, see the stage-by-stage comparison table.
Who Maintains the Trail?
The Westmorland and Furness Way is an official route developed and maintained by Westmorland and Furness Council. This site is an independent guide to it, not the official body.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Westmorland and Furness Way is a new 120-mile (193 km) long-distance walking trail across Cumbria, running from Alston in the north to Furness Abbey in the south. It officially opened on 15 September 2026 and is split into 6 waymarked stages, each with its own route guide, elevation profile and free GPX download.
The trail officially opened on 15 September 2026, at a launch event in Sedbergh held as part of the town's Walking and Wellbeing Festival and announced by Westmorland and Furness Council. Route and GPX data for all 6 stages was published on this site ahead of the official opening, so early walkers could plan before launch day.
The Westmorland and Furness Way is split into 6 stages, from Alston to Milburn, Milburn to Kirkby Stephen, Kirkby Stephen to Sedbergh, Sedbergh to Bowness-on-Windermere, Bowness to Ulverston, and Ulverston to Furness Abbey. Each stage has its own difficulty rating, elevation profile and downloadable map.
Most walkers cover the full 120-mile route over 8 to 17 days, depending on fitness and how stages are split — several of the longer, more challenging stages (including Stage 4, Sedbergh to Bowness) are commonly split across two days rather than walked in one.
Yes — it was developed and is maintained by Westmorland and Furness Council as a new official long-distance route. This site is an independent guide to the trail, not the official body; for the authoritative route and any changes, the council is the primary source.
Start Planning
Ready to go? The complete route guide has the interactive map, full-route GPX download and stage comparison table. Our FAQ covers getting to the trailheads, maps and accommodation, and the natural first step is Stage 1: Alston to Milburn. For practical planning, see itineraries and the best time to walk, accommodation and transport and kit and safety.