Cumbrian Cistercian Way
Your complete guide to planning a pilgrimage on the Cumbrian Cistercian Way
Route photograph: Wikimedia Commons
Plan your route
Click any brown pin on the map above and choose Add to your route to build your overnight stops, stage by stage.
Don't forget
A walk of this length (25 miles) is a real undertaking. Here is what you will need to stay safe and comfortable on the Cumbrian Cistercian Way.
Physical preparation
- Build up to the daily mileage in the weeks before — walk in the boots you will wear on the trail.
- Break in your boots thoroughly to avoid blisters; carry plasters and moleskin.
- Pace yourself — start each stage slowly and take short, regular rests.
Clothing & footwear
- Sturdy, waterproof walking boots with good ankle support.
- Moisture-wicking layers — a base layer, fleece, and a waterproof jacket.
- A hat and gloves even in summer — UK hill weather can change quickly.
In your day pack
- At least 1.5–2 litres of water per stage, plus high-energy snacks.
- A small first-aid kit, blister plasters, and any personal medication.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses — you will be exposed for hours at a time.
Navigation & safety
- Carry a printed route map and compass; do not rely solely on a phone.
- Keep your phone charged — a small power bank is worth its weight.
- Tell someone your planned route and expected arrival time each day.
Use us to plan your accommodation
Use Pilgrim Stays UK to find and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay along the Cumbrian Cistercian Way. For everything else — detailed route maps, GPX downloads, stage-by-stage guides and a community of fellow pilgrims — head to the British Pilgrimage Trust.
About this route
The Cumbrian Cistercian Way is a 25-mile pilgrimage through the calming landscape of South Cumbria, in the footsteps of medieval Cistercian monks. From the 14th-century Piel Castle on Piel Island to the magnificent Cartmel Priory — the 'Cathedral of the Lakes' — the route passes Furness Abbey, ancient churches, prehistoric stone circles and the Manjushri Kadampa Temple at Conishead Priory, offering a blend of spiritual reflection and exploration of the natural beauty of South Cumbria.
The Cumbrian Cistercian Way is a 25-mile pilgrimage through the calming landscape of South Cumbria, tracing the footsteps of medieval Cistercian monks across sea and bay via remote chapels, woodland walkways and ancient temples. The route begins with a small ferry to Piel Island and its 14th-century castle, built by the Abbot of Furness Abbey to guard against pirates and Scots raiders.
The journey continues past Furness Abbey — a former Cistercian monastery dating to 1123 and once the second-wealthiest and most powerful in the country — through Dalton-in-Furness with its 14th-century font, past the prehistoric Urswick Crag stones and Birkrigg Stone Circle, and on to St Mary and St Michael's Church, the oldest in the Furness area with its 9th-century Viking crosses. The route then passes Conishead Priory and the Manjushri Kadampa Temple before reaching Cartmel Priory, the 'Cathedral of the Lakes'.
Planning a Cumbrian Cistercian Way pilgrimage
Planning a pilgrimage on the Cumbrian Cistercian Way? This guide covers everything you need — when to go, how many days to allow, where to stay, how to get there and what to pack — so you can plan your Cumbrian Cistercian Way walk with confidence.
When to go
The best months for planning a Cumbrian Cistercian Way pilgrimage are May to September, when daylight hours are longest and the weather is most reliable. Book your accommodation well in advance, especially during school holidays and summer weekends when places to stay along the route fill up quickly.
How many days to allow
Most pilgrims allow 2–3 days to complete the 25 miles route. Plan an overnight stop at the end of each of the 5 stages, and consider adding a rest day if you are walking for more than four days. Use our Plan Your Route tool above to map out your stage-by-stage itinerary.
Booking accommodation
Use our Plan Your Route tool to browse and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay in Barrow-in-Furness, Ulverston, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands and along every stage of the Cumbrian Cistercian Way. Add accommodation to each stage of your itinerary, then book directly through Pilgrim Stays UK for integrated listings or contact the provider for directory listings.
Getting there and back
Plan your transport to the start in Piel Island and your return from Cartmel Priory. Many pilgrims use public transport — check train and bus connections when planning your pilgrimage itinerary.
What to pack
Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, a day pack, a water bottle, and layers for changeable British weather are essential for planning any UK pilgrimage. See our "Don't Forget" section below for a detailed packing checklist tailored to the Cumbrian Cistercian Way.
Highlights along the way
Sacred sites, historic churches and landmarks you'll encounter on the Cumbrian Cistercian Way.
Piel Island and Castle
Furness Abbey ruins
St Mary and St Michael's Church (Viking crosses)
Birkrigg Stone Circle
Conishead Priory (Manjushri Kadampa Temple)
Morecambe Bay Sands
Swarthmoor Hall (Quaker heritage)
Stage-by-stage accommodation on the Cumbrian Cistercian Way
Plan your pilgrimage night by night. Each stage below shows available accommodation at the start and end of the day's walk — click through to view stays and check availability.
Piel Island → Furness Abbey
5 miles
Begin with a small ferry to Piel Island and its 14th-century castle, built by the Abbot of Furness Abbey to guard against pirates. Continue past hillside views of Barrow-in-Furness to the red sandstone ruins of Furness Abbey, founded in 1123 and once the second-wealthiest Cistercian monastery in the country.
Furness Abbey → Urswick
6 miles
Walk through the Vale of Nightshade to Dalton-in-Furness with its tower and St Mary's Church (14th-century font), past the prehistoric Urswick Crag stones to St Mary and St Michael's Church — the oldest in the Furness area, with 9th-century Viking crosses and a figure of St James the pilgrim bearing the scallop shell.
Ulverston → Cartmel Priory
6 miles
The final stage to Cartmel Priory — the 'Cathedral of the Lakes' — a parish church unusually large for its village. The earliest mention of Cartmel dates to 680 AD when monks of Lindisfarne took ownership of the land. Spend a moment of silence on the ancient carved wooden misericords, then perhaps enjoy sticky toffee pudding in the town where it originated.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cumbrian Cistercian Way?
The Cumbrian Cistercian Way is a 25-mile pilgrimage through South Cumbria, tracing the footsteps of medieval Cistercian monks from Piel Castle to Cartmel Priory. The route passes Furness Abbey, ancient churches, stone circles and the Manjushri Kadampa Temple at Conishead Priory.
How long is the Cumbrian Cistercian Way?
The Cumbrian Cistercian Way is 25 miles from Piel Castle to Cartmel Priory (or Grange-over-Sands). Most walkers complete the route in 2 to 3 days, covering roughly 8 to 12 miles a day through the South Cumbrian landscape.
Where does the Cumbrian Cistercian Way start and end?
The route starts with a ferry to Piel Island off the southern tip of the Furness peninsula and ends at Cartmel Priory — the 'Cathedral of the Lakes' — passing Furness Abbey, Dalton-in-Furness, Urswick, Ulverston and Conishead Priory along the way.
What is Furness Abbey?
Furness Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery dating to 1123, founded by Stephen of Bois (later King of England). Its red sandstone ruins are impressive — it was once the second-wealthiest and most powerful Cistercian monastery in the country before its dissolution during the English Reformation.
Where can I stay on the Cumbrian Cistercian Way?
Pilgrim Stays UK lists verified pilgrim-friendly accommodation in Barrow-in-Furness, Ulverston, Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands for pilgrims walking the Cumbrian Cistercian Way.
How do I plan a Cumbrian Cistercian Way pilgrimage?
Start planning your Cumbrian Cistercian Way by allowing 2 to 3 days for the 25-mile walk from Piel Castle to Cartmel Priory. Use our Plan Your Route tool to book pilgrim-friendly accommodation at each stage, arrange transport to Barrow-in-Furness and from Cartmel or Grange-over-Sands, and check the Piel Island ferry times before setting off.
When is the best time to walk the Cumbrian Cistercian Way?
The best months for planning a Cumbrian Cistercian Way pilgrimage are April to October, when the South Cumbrian weather is mildest and the Piel Island ferry runs most reliably. The Morecambe Bay sands crossing, if attempted, requires careful planning and ideally local guidance — the tide comes in at the speed of a galloping horse.