A breathtaking new walking route has just been unveiled, and it promises to take adventurers on a 120-mile journey through some of the most stunning landscapes in the region. Spanning from Furness Abbey in the south to Alston in the north, the Westmorland and Furness Way is designed to highlight the area's incredible countryside, featuring the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the iconic Lake District National Park.
Councillor John Murray, who serves as the cabinet member for transport at Westmorland and Furness Council, expressed his enthusiasm about the trail's potential popularity, likening it to famous walks like the Coast-to-Coast and the Pennine Way. "This new walking route will celebrate that stunning landscape in all its many forms and make it even more accessible," he stated. Murray envisions a connected path that allows people to experience the journey from Alston to Furness Abbey seamlessly.
What's particularly appealing about this route is its flexibility: individuals can choose to walk just a few miles of one section, tackle multiple sections over time, or embark on the ultimate challenge of completing the entire 120 miles over several days.
The walk is divided into several segments:
- Alston to Milburn - 16 miles (25km)
- Milburn to Kirkby Stephen - 23 miles (37km)
- Kirkby Stephen to Sedbergh - 16 miles (25km)
- Sedbergh to Bowness - 27 miles (43km)
- Bowness to Ulverston - 21 miles (33km)
- Ulverston to Furness Abbey - 17 miles (27km)
Walking the entire route is estimated to take between eight and 17 days, depending on one's pace and endurance. Murray pointed out that beyond being a fantastic way to enjoy exercise and maintain health, the route also presents opportunities for regenerative tourism. It is expected to provide an economic boost to surrounding communities, as hikers will seek out places to eat, drink, and rest along their journey.
"We’re exploring numerous creative strategies to ensure that local communities truly reap the benefits of this exciting project," Murray noted. Furthermore, there are plans to introduce additional 'loops' to the trail, enabling access to larger towns such as Kendal, Penrith, and Barrow.
Are you excited about this new walking adventure? Do you think it will attract enough visitors to positively impact the local economy? Let us know your thoughts!
