Walking the King Charles III England Coast Path: North West : NATIONAL TRAIL - Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside Coast

Walk 590km (367 miles) along the stunning coastlines of Cumbria, Lancashire, and Merseyside, from Gretna on the Scottish border to Chester. This section of the England Coast Path offers an incredible month-long journey featuring wild estuaries, sweeping sandy beaches, and charming seaside towns, with breathtaking views of the Lake District, the vast tidal flats of Morecambe Bay, and vibrant cities like Liverpool. Whether you're seeking lesser-crowded trails, exploring diverse ecosystems, or experiencing the area's remarkable birdlife, there's something here for walkers of all abilities.

This essential guidebook breaks the route into 28 manageable stages (ranging from 13–29km or 8–18 miles), complete with step-by-step descriptions, detailed OS 1:50,000 mapping, and comprehensive planning tools. Every stage includes public transport links, making it easy to tackle sections as day walks or complete the trail continuously. The route planner covers accommodation options—including B&Bs, hostels, and campsites—in key coastal centres such as Whitehaven, Ravenglass, Fleetwood, Southport, and the Wirral, plus transport hubs including Carlisle, Lancaster, Blackpool, and Liverpool. The guidebook also notes planned opening dates for sections of the trail, with helpful alternatives for exploring today.

Written by Ange Harker, a member of Natural England's Coastal Access Delivery Team, this guide provides expert local knowledge and downloadable GPX files for digital navigation. Enhance your adventure with detailed OS map booklets (1:25,000 scale) covering the region, sold separately.