The walk begins at the coast and the Solway Firth, seeking out the River Eden as it meets the sea. It then follows the river through Carlisle, Armathwaite, Langwathby and Appleby, beneath the slopes of the Pennine hills, to Kirkby Stephen and then up to the spring which gives it life, on the Mallerstang ridge. Walkers can then continue on, along the Yoredale Way, or follow the Swale Way in reverse, through Swaledale, to Boroughbridge.