Walking from Coast to Coast

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18 Days Excluding Flights

0 Days from

£ 2149

Walking & Trekking

Activity Level

Moderate & Challenging

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

W17LY

The world famous Coast-to-Coast walk takes you from Northern England’s West to East coast passing through 3 National Parks with sweeping views over some of England’s most beautiful landscapes.

The world famous Coast-to-Coast is an exhilarating long-distance walking route originally described by the writer Alfred Wainwright in his book of the same name. First published in 1973, the book has grown in renown and today is as popular as ever, with the walk itself featuring on the bucket list of all keen walkers.

At nearly 200 miles in length, the route takes you across country, up fells and down dales, from Cumbria’s St Bees, on the shores of the Irish Sea, to the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire, passing fabulous landscapes at every turn.

The tour runs through three national parks in northern England – the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors – and features some of the most spectacular and beautiful scenery in the country.

The walking is challenging and recommended for experienced fell walkers and confident map readers only, but the sense of achievement and camaraderie when you encounter fellow coast to coasters makes it all worthwhile.

Your accommodation each night is in carefully picked B&Bs, with either ensuite or private facilities, where friendly smiles and warm welcomes to weary walkers are guaranteed!

Please note that GPX tracks and a routes and maps guide are provided on this trip, along with our usual maps. This replaces our usual turn by turn route directions

Highlights

Iconic long distance walk from Northern England's West to East Coast
Pass through 3 National Parks: the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors
Outstanding sweeping views over some of England's most celebrated and beautiful landscapes

Key Information

17 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 2 and 3 star hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
GPS tracks and maps
Guide book with route information

Countries visited: United Kingdom

What's Included

17 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 2 and 3 star hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
GPS tracks and maps
Guide book with route information

What's Not Included

Hotel upgrades
Transfers to and from hotels
Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Visas & vaccinations

16 Days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

The walking is challenging and recommended for experienced fell walkers and confident map readers only. There are some steep and demanding sections and the route will take you over remote moorland which can at times be boggy.

Day 2

23 km / 14.3 miles

Day 3

24 km / 14.9 miles

Day 4

15 km / 9.3 miles

Day 5

17 km / 10.6 miles

Day 6

19 km / 11.8 miles

Day 7

21 km / 13 miles

Day 8

20 km / 12.4 miles

Day 9

19 km / 11.8 miles

Day 10

19 km / 11.8 miles

Day 11

19 km / 11.8 miles

Day 12

22 km / 13.7 miles

Day 13

18 km / 11.2 miles

Day 14

21 km / 13 miles

Day 15

16 km / 9.9 miles

Day 16

22 km / 13.7 miles

Day 17

25 km / 15.5 miles

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.

TRIP

W17LY - Walking from Coast to Coast

Departure Date

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

St Bees Robin Hood's Bay St Bees Robin Hood's Bay

Check into your B&B, a convenient short walk from St Bees railway station.

Before setting off this morning, follow the tradition of all coast to coast walkers, and collect a stone from the beach in St. Bees, which you will carry to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea. Then set off along the coast before turning inland towards the village of Sandwith. Once you’ve passed through the sleepy villages of Moor Row and Cleator, you reach the first climb of the trip – Dent Fell – before arriving at the small village of Ennerdale Bridge.

Distance covered: 14mi (23km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

You’re now in the Lake District National Park and the day starts with a walk along Ennerdale Water with superb views of the approaching fells. From here, you have a choice: either go high up to Red Pike and over High Stile onto the iconic Haystacks and past Inominate Tarn (where Wainwright’s ashes were scattered) or follow a gentler route up to Black Sail Youth Hostel and then up Loft Beck. Both routes take you to Honister Slate mine – the last working slate mine in England – before a descent into the village of Rosthwaite.

Distance covered: 15mi (24km)

Activity hours: 8

Meals included: Breakfast

A shorter stage today, but the ascent to the day’s only peak, Greenup Edge, is steep and demanding. The view from here is another iconic picture of the unique and beautiful landscape of the Lake District. Overnight in pretty Grasmere where there is lots to explore including the Wordsworth Museum and the poet’s former residence, Dove Cottage.

Distance covered: 9mi (15km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

All walkers climb up to Grisedale Hause with gorgeous views back towards Grasmere. From here, you have the option to go even higher and up the famous Helvellyn peak or onto St Sunday Crag – with far reaching views as far as Ullswater – before coming down Grisedale into Patterdale. Alternatively, take the direct route down Grisedale to the village.

Distance covered: 11mi (17km)

Activity hours: 8

Meals included: Breakfast

The day starts with another climb and impressive panoramic views across to Fairfield, Helvellyn, Hartsop and Kirkstone Pass. You continue beside Angle Tarn, across the old Roman path of High St and onto Kidsty Pike – at 780m, the highest point on the Coast to Coast Walk, from where there are amazing views down to Haweswater and Riggindale. Descend to Haweswater – formed in the 1930’s to provide water to the cities of the North West – for an undulating onward walk into the charming village of Bampton. From here, set off through fields to Shap Abbey, the ruins of a monastery founded in the 13th century. The monks abandoned it to Henry V111 in 1540 and since then it has served as a memory of a bygone era. Overnight in the small town of Shap.

Distance covered: 12mi (19km)

Activity hours: 7

Meals included: Breakfast

There is less climbing today than the previous two days. The route crosses into the Westmorland Fells in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. From here, the vistas change from dramatic granite rocks to an open limestone landscape as you continue to the tiny village of Orton.

Distance covered: 13mi (21km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Today’s stage takes you through open countryside with occasional villages, remote houses and secluded farms – and a wide panorama towards the distinctive Howgills and the distant Pennines (tomorrow’s challenge!). Pass Smardale Bridge, a stunning piece of Victorian architecture from a long-gone railway. Then it’s on into the small yet lively town of Kirkby Stephen, with its welcoming pubs, cafes and restaurants, in the heart of the lovely Eden Valley.

Distance covered: 12mi (20km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Leave Kirkby Stephen via the picture postcard village of Hartley, then the route gets hillier once again as you climb up and over the Nine Standards – a very distinctive feature on the fell, where Cumbria crosses into Yorkshire and the watershed between the Irish Sea and the North Sea meets. End the day in peaceful Keld, a former lead-mining village.

Distance covered: 12mi (19km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you have the choice between a route over the high fell or the lower route along the valley. The former crosses a remote landscape of grouse moors, dotted with ruins from the lead-mining era; the latter takes you via Swaledale, with its traditional stone barns and drystone walls. Whatever you choose, you arrive in Reeth, another quintessential Dales village with cosy pubs.

Distance covered: 12mi (19km)

Activity hours: 5.5

Meals included: Breakfast

Today’s more leisurely stage takes you across verdant meadows and through pretty villages. Take time to explore Marrick Priory, a 12th century Benedictine nuns’ monastery, abandoned during the 16th-century religious wars. Overnight in the pretty market town of Richmond, with its quaint cobbled streets and imposing Norman Castle.

Distance covered: 12mi (19km)

Activity hours: 5

Meals included: Breakfast

An easier, flatter walk again today, taking you across the Vale of Mowbray, through fertile farmland and along quiet country lanes, via Bolton-on-Swale and its 14th century St. Mary’s Church. Your final destination is Danby Wiske, a cluster of pretty houses huddled around the village green.

Distance covered: 14mi (22km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Continue your approach towards the North York Moors National Park – and its hills! – along flat footpaths and farm tracks, passing brightly coloured rapeseed fields and sleepy livestock. Depending on accommodation availability, you overnight in either Ingleby Cross or Osmotherley.

Distance covered: 11mi (18km)

Activity hours: 5

Meals included: Breakfast

Walk through woodland then head uphill for superb views back to Richmond and ahead towards the North Sea. You are finally in the North York Moors National Park with its wide expanses of heather covered moorland, contrasting with the distinctive rocky crags of the Wain Stones. There is a short transfer at the end of today’s walk to your accommodation for the night.

Distance covered: 13mi (21km)

Activity hours: 5.5

Meals included: Breakfast

After you are dropped off back at Clay Bank Top, it feels like you are on a high mountain, but the North York Moors is only 4-500m above sea level. Today’s stretch brings you across the plateau, along the route of an abandoned mine railway to The Lion Inn pub. Originally a 16th-century hunting lodge, it’s the third highest pub in England and the only building for miles around.

Distance covered: 10mi (16km)

Activity hours: 5

Meals included: Breakfast

Today’s route is mainly flat and downhill beside Great Fryup Dale and into Glaisdale. There’s one sting in the tail to get up and down into Egton Bridge before you end the day in peaceful Grosmont (pronounced ‘Growmont’), one of the stops on the famous North York Moors steam railway.

Distance covered: 14mi (22km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Start the day with a steep road climb up onto the moor before descending into beautiful Littlebeck – but not before catching a glimpse of the sea and the breathtaking Whitby Abbey! Through Falling Foss woods with its hidden follies, walk over the last section of the Moors. The final stretch takes you from High Hawsker along the top of the Jurassic cliffs – with stunning coastal scenery and the sight of a dolphin if you’re lucky. There are gorgeous vistas of Robin Hood’s Bay as you descend to this beautiful old fishing village. On arrival, don’t forget to throw your St Bees’ stone into the North Sea. Congratulations – You’ve crossed England!

Distance covered: 16mi (25km)

Activity hours: 7

Meals included: Breakfast

Depart Robin Hood’s Bay after breakfast.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Walking Conditions
Classification: Self-Guided
Activity Level: 4 (Moderate/Challenging)
Average daily distance: 20km
No. of days walking: 16
Terrain and route: The walking is challenging and recommended for experienced fell walkers and confident map readers only. There are some steep and demanding sections and the route will take you over remote moorland which can at times be boggy.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Joining Instructions

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: St Bees
Location end: Robin Hood's Bay

Vaccinations and Health

United Kingdom

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Food & Drink

Enjoy the local cuisine in quintessentially British pubs, cafes and delicatessens – The Lake District is home to many regional specialities including Cumberland Sausage, Kendal Mint Cake and Grasmere Gingerbread. However, there are also newer twists on traditional flavours to enjoy, with Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur and damson ketchup to name but a few.

Weather

Summers here tend to be slightly cooler and winters milder to what one might expect. The warmest months to visit are from June through to August, temperatures start to warm up around April and remain pleasant until October time. We advise you take waterproofs as showers can occur anytime of year.

TRIP

W17LY - Walking from Coast to Coast

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

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To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

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Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Hotels

INNS AND BED & BREAKFASTS, COAST TO COAST

We use well selected bed and breakfasts or traditional village inns, that are HH or HHH rated and which are generally family owned and with lovely views over the surrounding fells and dales.

Many come with their own restaurant, cafe or pub; otherwise options for refreshments and dinner are available locally.

All are comfortable, with ensuite or occasionally private facilities, with your hosts well accustomed to welcoming weary coast to coast walkers! Hearty English breakfasts are included as standard.

TRIP

W17LY - Walking from Coast to Coast

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Walking from Coast to Coast

The world famous Coast-to-Coast walk takes you from Northern England’s West to East coast passing through 3 National Parks with sweeping views over some of England’s most beautiful landscapes.

16 Days of Walking & Trekking

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

St Bees Robin Hood's Bay St Bees Robin Hood's Bay

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Vaccinations and Health

United Kingdom

Visa

United Kingdom

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews