Recreational Path Guide the Cumbria Way (Recreational Path Guides)

Rating:
Summary: Hiked the Cumbria Way using this book
Review: Picked up a copy of this book at the trail-head town of Ulverston (birthplace of Stanley Laurel of Laurel & Hardy fame) and set out on the trail. Anthony Burton's narrative is sparse and to the point...his trail descriptions (in text) are so accurate that I found it unnecessary to look at the maps that accompany the text. His attention to detail is remarkable; e.g. "....after crossing the field, look for the large willow tree on your left just behind which you'll see a small break in a stone wall" and so on. I walked alone and found the book to be an excellent guide though you'll need to look to other sources for info about lodging and food in the towns and hamlets along the way. The paperback copy I own got rather dog eared from shoving in and out of my pack, reading it in the rain and so forth. But in my view, that only increases the value and charm of the book which I now consider to be one of my prize posessions. When I need to get away from it all, I just touch its worn pages and transport myself back to a little slice of heaven in Northwestern England.

PS. Best segment of the walk, I think, is Keswick to Caldbeck. Remote, scrubby moors, high ravines; less picture perfect than other areas, more my style. In Caldbeck be sure and go to the free pub (unaffiated with big brewers) a mile or so outside of town. Wonderful Indian food, great local brew (micro brewerey style) and initially gruff, but then friendly locals who eschew the "plastic & corporate" pub scene and revel in being "anti-monarchist"; i.e., they don't give a hoot about the Queen and all the rest of the royal leeches. The guy who owns the (only) wine store in Caldbeck turned me on to it and we not-so-coincidently met there later that eve.

Have fun!