Route info: Day 1

Day 1: Cumbria Way between Ulverston and Coniston

First things first, if your going to do this properly then you need to find The Gill, the official start point of the walk. The Cumbria Way artwork confirms that you have found the right place so all you need is your map and a sense of direction!

Leaving Ulverston follow a clear path beside a stream then a left turn up a walled path before navigating your way through fields to pass Old Hall Farm and on through fields and over stiles eventually arriving on a road at Higher Lath Farm. Walk downhill for a short stretch on the road before a signed left turn through a gate takes you through fields to reach eventually Hollowmire – this is a new section and replaces the old left turn at the foot of the hill. Follow the access road for Hollowmire to a minor road and turn left before taking a right hand path leading to St John’s church from where a road leads towards the hamlet of Broughton Beck.

Your route now follows Broughton Beck for some of the way, crossing over a series of stiles before joining an unclassified road leading to Knapperthaw. Well worn tracks and paths now lead you onwards to enter the Lake District National Park near Gawthwaite. The ground now starts to rear up around you as you follow the route leading eventually past a series of farms and onto Tottlebank where you start your ascent proper to Beacon Tarn. The official route follows the western shore of the tarn but why not go on the opposite side and climb Beacon Fell to visit the summit?

The views across to the Coniston Fells are superb from here and once you have enjoyed them enough a steep descent from Beacon Tarn leads down to Stable Harvey Moss where the path is very thin on the ground – keep to the eastern side to meet a minor road at a hairpin bend. A short climb on the road before a left turn which leads to Torver Tarn from where you follow the beck down to Sunny Bank. Cross over the main road (opt out here for refreshments at Torver 1 mile away if needed) and head down to the shoreline at Coniston over a small rise

The lakeshore path alongside Coniston is pretty rugged in places so whilst admiring the views don’t forget to watch where you are putting your feet! The path is clear throughout this stretch as it passes through patchy woodland and as the trees start to clear you approach Coniston Hall Campsite and the chunky chimneys of Coniston Hall. All that is left for you to do today is follow the field path and short road walk into Coniston for some much deserved refreshments at one of the excellent inns or cafes to complete your first day on the Cumbria Way.