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Highlights
Walk the complete Coast to Coast path at your own pace
Cross three National parks on your feet – The Lake District, The Yorkshire Dales and The North Yorkshire Moors
Observe the beautiful mix of valleys, plains, mountains, dales and moors.
Visit numerous historic buildings and monuments along your path
Walk on your own pace will all the logistics taken care for you
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk is by far the most popular long-distance trail in Britain, and one of the world’s great walks.
This self-guided Coast to Coast path is the complete route from the Irish Sea at St Bees Head to Robin Hood’s Bay. The Coast to Coast path winds its way across Northern England, 190 miles or so, to the North Sea shoreline at Robin Hood’s Bay. On the way it passes through three National Parks: The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
It is an exhilarating adventure, and once completed is an achievement that will remain fondly in the memory for the rest of your life.
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk is by far the most popular long-distance trail in Britain, and one of the world’s great walks.
This self-guided Coast to Coast path is the complete route from the Irish Sea at St Bees Head to Robin Hood’s Bay. The Coast to Coast path winds its way across Northern England, 190 miles or so, to the North Sea shoreline at Robin Hood’s Bay. On the way it passes through three National Parks: The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
It is an exhilarating adventure, and once completed is an achievement that will remain fondly in the memory for the rest of your life.
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Coast to Coast Path Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in St. Bees
Arrival in St. Bees via train – routes available from all major airports.
St Bees includes St Bees Head, the most westerly point of Cumbria, on the coastal strip between the Lakeland fells and the Irish Sea. It has a history going back over 1,000 years and has been a popular holiday destination for over 150 years.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in St. Bees
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 St.Bees to Ennerdale
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.
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Ennerdale
Distance: 23km, 645m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Ennerdale to Rosthwaite
You are 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 followed by Stonethwaite (both located in the Borrowdale Valley).
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Rosthwaite
Distance: 23km, 1028m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Rosthwaite to Grasmere
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Grasmere
Distance: 15km, 547m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Grasmere to Patterdale
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 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Patterdale
Distance: 14-17km, 541m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Patterdale to Shap
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 through the charming village of Bampton and continuing past 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. A short distance to the village of Shap.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Shap
Distance: 27km, 900m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Shap to Kirkby Stephen
The route from Shap 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 past the tiny village of Orton. Continue 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Kirkby Stephen
Distance: 33km, 452m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Kirkby Stephen to Keld
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Reeth
Distance: 19km, 459m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Keld to Reed
Today you have the choice between a route over the mountain 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 heather clad Swaledale, with its traditional stone barns and drystone walls. Whatever you choose, you arrive in Reeth, another quintessential Dales village with cosy pubs.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Reeth
Distance: 19km, 459m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Reeth to Richmond
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Richmond
Distance: 19km, 290m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Richmond to Danby Wiske
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Danby Wiske
Distance: 22km, 77m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Danby Wiske to Osmotherley
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Osmotherley
Distance: 18km, 232m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 Osmotherley to Blakey
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. 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Blakey
Distance: 33km, 907m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Blakey to Grosmont
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Grosmont
Distance: 22km, 127m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 Grosmont to Robin Hoods Bay
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!
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Robin Hoods Bay
Distance: 25km, 521m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 Depart from Robin Hood’s Bay
Arrangements end after breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures The departures are available daily, from April 1st to October 20th. All the prices below are per person.
- Single room: GBP2232
- Sharing a double room: GBP1651
Accommodation on Coast to Coast Path
There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, lodges, pubs and small hotels. They are run by cycling-friendly hosts offering en-suite or private facility rooms with a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the day ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Coast to Coast Path Tour?
Meals
15 breakfasts are included. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 15 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers for your luggage; however, you are in charge of any personal transfers needed.
Also Included
- Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
- Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
- Pre-planned route
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Guide services
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for drivers, servers, or other staff if desired
- Bike rental
- Parking in Kirkby Stephen (if needed) and transfer to Trailhead
Optional Extras
- Single occupancy upgrades
- How hard is the Coast to Coast Path Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to England?
- Are meals included on the Coast to Coast Path Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to St. Bees to start this tour?
- Where does the Coast to Coast Path Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to England?
- Are there any travel restrictions for England?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. The walks are mostly unsurfaced tracks; footpaths, mountain trails and some tarmac roads. You can also book additional rest days to make the route easier.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
15 breakfasts are included. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
You can get to St.Bees via train, you can use the main line from any of the airports. Most customers travel to Manchester airport then take the train to St.Bees by changing at South Lakes or Carlisle.
The alternative is to travel via car to Kirkby Stephen and use the car parking available. You will then stay overnight in Kirkby Stephen rather than St. Bees. A transfer will then leave the following morning to take you to the start of the route.
When you reach Robin Hoods Bay, you can take a taxi or a bus to nearby Scarborough to access the trainline. If you have parked in Kirkby Stephen, there is a transfer provided every afternoon to return you to your car.
This tour ends in Robin Hood Bay.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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