Whitehaven is a coastal town in Cumbria, UK, positioned as a gateway to the western Lake District National Park. The region features a diverse landscape, ranging from dramatic sea views along its coastline to the fells and valleys of the national park, alongside repurposed former railway lines. This varied terrain provides a suitable environment for several sports like touring cycling, road cycling, hiking, jogging, and more. The area's unique blend of maritime heritage and natural park beauty offers a wide…
108
Routes
4.3
(137)
Average rating
2299
People visited

5.0
(1)
17
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(3)
11
riders
39.0km
02:29
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
102km
07:00
1,630m
1,630m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(27)
280
riders
77.9km
05:14
930m
930m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
5
riders
103km
05:12
820m
820m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
59
riders
132km
06:51
2,140m
2,140m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

42
riders
52.9km
02:39
800m
800m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

41
riders
35.1km
01:38
310m
310m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.9
(33)
193
hikers
19.5km
05:37
470m
470m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.5
(2)
53
hikers
5.89km
01:37
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
35
hikers
12.7km
03:38
280m
280m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
25
hikers
8km
02:20
210m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
45
runners
10.1km
01:05
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30
runners
10.5km
01:14
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

33
runners
9.12km
01:00
170m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

26
runners
10.5km
01:10
220m
220m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
18
riders
37.3km
02:55
520m
520m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
19
riders
64.0km
04:23
1,100m
1,100m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(2)
25
riders
47.8km
03:30
530m
530m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
5
riders
24.5km
02:03
500m
500m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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Whitehaven offers a diverse range of outdoor activities including touring cycling, road cycling, hiking, jogging, and mountain biking. The region features over 230 routes, with an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 stars from more than 22,000 visitors. These activities span coastal paths, disused railway lines, and routes extending into the Lake District National Park.
Whitehaven is a starting point for the C2C (Coast to Coast) Cycle Route, a 138 to 140-mile journey across Northern England. Another significant route is the Hadrian's Cycleway Coastal Loop, a challenging 64.2-mile (103.3 km) ride along the coast. Many routes utilize former railway lines, providing traffic-free options. More information is available in the Cycling around Whitehaven guide.
Yes, Whitehaven offers family-friendly cycling options, particularly along repurposed former railway lines. These paths are traffic-free and provide accessible routes for various skill levels. The initial 8-mile section of the C2C route out of Whitehaven is also traffic-free and suitable for families. Consult the Traffic-free bike rides around Whitehaven guide for details.
Hiking in Whitehaven includes scenic coastal paths and inland trails. Coastal walks around St Bees Head, the most westerly point of northern England, offer expansive views and challenging terrain. Routes like the "St Bees South Head – Fleswick Bay loop" explore the Heritage Coast. For more options, refer to the Hiking around Whitehaven guide.
St Bees Head is a natural monument located near Whitehaven, marking the most westerly point of northern England. It rises 90 meters from the sea and is the starting point for Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk. The area features red sandstone cliffs and an RSPB nature reserve, known for its seabird colonies, including England's only breeding colony of black guillemots.
Whitehaven provides easy hiking options, particularly along its coastal paths and historic harbor areas. These routes offer gentle gradients and accessible terrain suitable for less strenuous walks. The Easy hikes around Whitehaven guide provides specific routes for beginners.
The Whitehaven Parkrun is a free, weekly 5k event held every Saturday morning. It follows the C2C cycle path from Mirehouse, offering an inclusive environment for walking, jogging, or running. This event provides a community-focused opportunity for physical activity in the area.
Cycling routes in Whitehaven feature diverse terrain. Coastal paths offer sea views, while routes into the Lake District National Park include significant elevation changes and challenging climbs. Repurposed former railway lines provide flat, traffic-free paths. This variety caters to different cycling preferences and fitness levels.
The Whitehaven region is characterized by its Cumbrian coastline, featuring dramatic sea views, sandstone cliffs, and unique geological formations like those at Fleswick Bay. It also serves as a gateway to the Lake District National Park, offering access to fells, tarns, and lakes. Disused railway lines converted into paths are another notable feature.
Outdoor routes in Whitehaven are popular on komoot, with over 22,000 visitors having explored the area. The routes collectively hold an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction among users. There are more than 230 routes available across various sports.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Whitehaven, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Cycling around Whitehaven, Traffic-free bike rides around Whitehaven, Hiking around Whitehaven, and Family-friendly hikes around Whitehaven, among others.
Yes, Whitehaven offers routes suitable for beginners across various activities. For cycling, traffic-free paths on former railway lines provide easy options. Hiking trails also include less challenging coastal strolls and designated easy routes. Komoot guides like Easy hikes around Whitehaven can assist in finding suitable paths.
The C2C (Coast to Coast) Cycle Route is an iconic long-distance cycling journey that traditionally starts in Whitehaven. It spans 138 to 140 miles across Northern England, concluding in Tynemouth or Sunderland. The route passes through the Lake District National Park and the North Pennines, offering varied landscapes and challenges.

