Planning a long-distance walk in Cumbria and The Lakes? You’ll find trail side hostels that are just what you need: hot showers, drying rooms, and a friendly welcome — right on or very near some of the country’s most iconic long-distance paths like the Cumbria Way, Hadrian’s Wall, Wainwright’s Coast to Coast or the Ravener Way.
If you’re a member of the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA), or simply passionate about long-distance trails, planning your overnight stops is crucial. For those walking the Cumbria Way, Wainwrights Coast to Coast, The Ravember Way or Hadrians Wall, hostels and bunkhouses offer a welcoming solution.
From drying rooms and self-catering kitchens and unbeatable mountain views, it’s no surprise Independent Hostels are a favourite with long-distance walkers. As a walker you need more than a bed for the night. You need:
• A hot shower, a hearty meal, and a comfy bed
• Drying rooms for your wet kit
• Self-catering kitchens for early starts or late-night refuelling
• A warm welcome from like-minded walkers
• And most importantly — locations right on or near the trail
Autumn and Winter Walking
Autumn in the Lakes is a real treat. The trails are quieter and the trees put on a show of fiery reds and oranges. The air feels crisp, the views are dramatic, and you get that lovely sense of having the fells almost to yourself.
Winter has a different kind of magic. Snow on the peaks, frosty mornings, and still, peaceful paths make every walk feel like a proper adventure. The days might be shorter, but catching a clear winter sunrise or ending a walk with a cosy hostel fire makes it all worthwhile.
Hoatels are perfect for walkers who don’t hang up their boots once summer’s over.
And to make your next walk in the Lake District easier, we’ve found some of the best hostels on Cumbria’s most iconic routes…
Cumbria Way
The Cumbria Way offers a stunning route through the heart of the Lake District National Park. These hostels make ideal stopping points:
• Elterwater Hostel Elterwater Hostel – Offers a friendly welcome with home cooked meals a few strides from the path.
• Great Langdale Bunkhouse – Warm self contained rooms next to the Dungean Gill and right on the path.
• Denton House Denton House – In the heart of Keswick with a choice of bed or Private rooms
• Skiddaw House Skiddaw House – Sleep on the shoulder of Skiddaw in this thriving warm hostel in the wilds.
Each offers fully made up beds, hot showers, and a walker friendly atmosphere to rest weary feet after a day on a trail.
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast
View Hostels on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast
This iconic walk devised by Sir Alfred Wainwright, crosses the mountains, valley and passes of the central Lakes before striking off accross Yorkshire to the East Coast.
• Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre – the walk passes through the yard of this charity run centre, which welcomes individual walkers booked within 6 weeks of the date of stay.
• Shepherds Crook Bunkhouse – Self catering bunkhouse and farmhouse B&B just five minutes from the route in Patterdale.
• Wild Wool Barn – small groups in the luxury bunkhouse or book individual beds in the Archway Bunkroom
Hostels along the trail offer a warm welcome, local insight, and a strong commitment to community values.
Ravenber Way
The Ravenber Way is a challenging coast to coast walk created by the author and long distance walker Ron Scholes. The route follows existing rights of way, bridleways and tracks as it passes through the high points of the Lake District.
Hadrian’s Wall walk
View hostels on Hadrian’s Wall Path
Hadrian’s Wall Path follows the line of the Roman frontier built in AD 122, starting in the North of Cumbria. Designated as a National Trail, it’s one of the premier walking routes in England, attracting long distance walkers, cultural tourists and history buff alike.
• Hillside Farm Bunkbarn– Bunkbarn and farmhouse B&B with stunning Solway Firth views.
You can complete this walk by staying in Independent Hostels every night. Expect incredible history and great camaraderie with fellow walkers along the trail.
Why hostels are ideal for long distance walkers
They’re perfectly placed for trail access, and your tired feet will thank you for booking!
Every hostel is different. Some are converted chapels, others are purpose-built bunkhouses — but what unites them is their fantastic location and genuine welcome to long distance walkers.
✅ Affordable and flexible
✅ Trail-friendly locations
✅ Drying rooms, kitchens, and hot showers
✅ Owned and run by people who understand long distance walking
Whether you’re walking solo or in a group, Independent Hostels have the perfect accommodation for you.
Autumn Walking in the Lakes 🍂
Autumn is one of the most rewarding times to walk in Cumbria and the Lake District. The trails are quieter after summer, and the hillsides glow with golds, russets and deep greens as the bracken and trees change colour. Crisp mornings often give way to clear, dramatic skies — perfect for photography as well as walking.
After a day on the fells, there’s nothing better than returning to a welcoming hostel: hanging up damp boots in the drying room, warming your hands around a hot drink, and sharing stories with fellow walkers. With hearty meals, cosy lounges and affordable beds, hostels make autumn adventures in the Lakes both comfortable and memorable.