Walking from Coast to Coast
Walking from Coast to Coast
Walking from Coast to Coast
18 Days Starting in St Bees, Saint Bees, UK and ending in Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby YO22, UK
Visiting: Saint Bees, Ennerdale Bridge, Rosthwaite, Grasmere, Patterdale, Shap, Orton, Kirkby Stephen, Keld, Reeth, Richmond, Danby Wiske, Ingleby Cross, Clay Bank, Blakey Ridge, Grosmont, Robin Hood's Bay
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W17LY
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
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
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In St Bees
Location: Saint Bees
Accommodation: B&B
Check into your B&B, a convenient short walk from St Bees railway station.
Day 2 : St Bees To Ennerdale Bridge
Location: Saint Bees, Ennerdale Bridge
Accommodation: B&B
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 3 : Ennerdale Bridge To Rosthwaite
Location: Ennerdale Bridge, Rosthwaite
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 4 : Rosthwaite To Grasmere
Location: Rosthwaite, Grasmere
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 5 : Grasmere To Patterdale
Location: Grasmere, Patterdale
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 6 : Patterdale To Shap
Location: Patterdale, Shap
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 7 : Shap To Orton
Location: Orton, Shap
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 8 : Orton To Kirkby Stephen
Location: Orton, Kirkby Stephen
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 9 : Kirkby Stephen To Keld
Location: Kirkby Stephen, Keld
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 10 : Keld To Reeth
Location: Reeth, Keld
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 11 : Reeth To Richmond
Location: Richmond, Reeth
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 12 : Richmond To Danby Wiske
Location: Danby Wiske
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 13 : Danby Wiske To Ingleby Cross/Osmotherley
Location: Danby Wiske, Ingleby Cross
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 14 : Ingleby Cross/Osmotherley To Clay Bank Top
Location: Clay Bank, Ingleby Cross
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 15 : Clay Bank Top To Blakey Ridge
Location: Clay Bank, Blakey Ridge
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 16 : Blakey Ridge To Grosmont
Location: Blakey Ridge, Grosmont
Accommodation: B&B
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.
Day 17 : Grosmont To Robin Hood's Bay
Location: Grosmont, Robin Hood's Bay
Accommodation: B&B
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!
Day 18 : Leave Robin Hood's Bay
Location: Robin Hood's Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Robin Hood's Bay after breakfast.
What's Included
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Meals
17 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Hotel upgrades
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Visas & vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Transfers to and from hotels
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Travel insurance
Food
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.
Accommodation
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.
Check out our Q&As
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
No, this is a self-guided holiday
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
This is a self-guided walking holiday
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What currencies are required for this tour?
GBP
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
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.
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Is there 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. -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Please check visa requirements for the UK based upon the passport you hold
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.