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Walking from Coast to Coast

Activity Level

Challenging

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Northern England’s famous Coast-to-Coast walk takes you from the West to the East coast passing through 3 stunning National Parks.

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!

Key Information

Trip Code: W17LY
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: 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
Navigation app

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

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

Itinerary

First Destination: St Bees
Next Destination: Robin Hood's Bay

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: St Bees
Next Destination: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Meals included:Breakfast

Depart Robin Hood’s Bay after breakfast.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

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.

Essential Information

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.

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.

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US, Canada, and the EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom, but do need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (or ETA), which you can apply for at www.gov.uk/eta/apply.

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.

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.

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.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.