Coast to Coast Adventure (semi-guided)

Make your own way to St Bees. If arriving earlier today we recommend a visit to the Abbey church to learn about the interesting local history, including a display of a mummified knight that was found buried in a lead coffin.

This evening you meet your travelling companions and tour leaders, and we will provide a tour briefing.

Meals Included: –
Walking Distance: –

In true Wainwright tradition, choose a pebble and wet your boot in the Irish Sea! This marks the beginning of our Coast to Coast experience.

From the beach, we walk along the red sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head. Here is England’s only breeding colony of Black Guillemots. We then move inland to the edge of the Lake District National Park. From the slopes of Dent, it’s down to Nannycatch Beck, then a delightful stroll to the final descent down to leafy Ennerdale Bridge.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: 24km

Walk towards the beautiful valley of Borrowdale along the peaceful Ennerdale Waters. Stopping at Robin Hood’s Chair, a small rock formation offering a natural seat to momentarily pause and look across the lake.

We continue along forest trails, heading upwards to Honister Pass, surrounded by some of the Lakelands great peaks. Reaching the ‘drum house’, we begin our descent, past the traditional old slate mine, and down to Borrowdale Valley and it’s delightful ensemble of hamlets: Seatoller (one of the wettest place in England), Longthwaite, Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite. These places are all linked by delightful riverside paths.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: 27km

Gills, becks, cascades and fells are the features of this day.

With a gentle start through the Stonethwaite Valley following Stonethwaite Beck and looking ahead to the distinctive Eagle Crag, we reach a junction of becks and gills (sometimes spelt Ghyll which is a mountain torrent of swift moving water), marking the start of our challenging ascent up the craggy fells of Greenup Edge. Todays trail includes sections of flagstones and descends steeply into the flower meadows on the outskirts of Grasmere. This is stunning country with cascades aplenty. Grasmere is one of Lakeland’s most celebrated villages. While here you can visit poet Wordsworth’s home at Dove Cottage and drop into the famous ginger bread shop.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: 14km

Today’s walk is stunning. The route takes you over Grisedale Pass and around the small mountain lake of Grisedale Tarn to Patterdale.

There’s an option to climb up to St Sunday Crag for even better views, but this depends on good weather. If you choose this option this will increase the days elevation gain up to 900m and elevation loss to 800m, and adds approximately 1½ hours walking time.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: 13km

Today trail is generally regarded as the most challenging on the Coast to Coast Walk.

We farewell our Lakeland section with a high country challenge, making the most of the magical Lakeland scenery and treading trails across a whaleback ridge, walked by Roman Legions centuries ago. Our steepest section offers breath taking views from Kidsty Pike, which is the highest point of the Coast to Coast Walk at 780 metres. Leaving the peak is a steep 3km descent to Haweswater Reservoir. This is a huge body of water that was conceived in 1929 to supply Manchester with drinking water.

The trail then undulates through fields to Shap Abbey, the most easterly point of the Lake District National Park, then on to Shap.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: 26km

After the mountainous rugged landscape of the Lakes, we now enter an easier to walk landscape of limestone plateaus and ancient moorlands, following ancient Roman routes across the expansive Crosby Ravensworth Fell.

Today’s route travels through farmland with some moors around Sunbiggin Tarn, a protected wetland for breeding wading/water birds. Descending to the beautiful Scandal Beck waterway, then over Smardale Fell in the afternoon, before the pretty descent into Kirkby Stephen. Kirkby Stephen is an attractive market town, with St. Stephen’s Church containing the 8th Century Loki Stone relating to Norse mythology.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: 33km

Today it’s about bogs and boots! This memorable section is the Watershed of Britain, famous for its boggy terrain, although recent placement of flagstones make it now easier to manage. Up to this point walking has been upstream and from now it is downstream to the eastern coastline.

The day starts with a climb out of town towards the mysterious Nine Standards Rigg with its strange giant cairns and extensive views of the Eden Valley. A mysterious place.

The ancient settlement of Keld in Swaledale with its tumultuous waterfalls and cascades, is our final destination for the day. This once little known village with old stone barns is a welcome rest stop for many walkers because of its close proximity to the crossing of two major long distance walking trails – the Pennine Way and the Coast to Coast Walk.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 22km

Leaving Keld and its waterfalls behind us, we have a peaceful day of riverside rambling, following the River Swale as it threads its ever-widening way to Reeth and beyond to Richmond. The pleasant village of Reeth, the self claimed capital of Swaledale, is our respite at the end of our day.

There’s an option to take the higher ‘old mining’ route via Swinner Gill, but this depends on good weather. If you choose this option this will increase the days elevation gain up to 850m and elevation loss to 925m, and is approximately 1½ km longer

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 19km

Continuing to follow the River Swale, we wander by quiet villages, woodlands, pastures, and an old priory on our way to Yorkshire’s jewel, Richmond, overlooked by its magnificent castle.

The mornings walk is through pretty Swaledale, up the Nun’s Steps to Marrick, and across farm land to the hamlet of Marske. The trail then continues along a valley with limestone crags, and then through forest before reaching Richmond.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 20km

Today we enjoy the town of Richmond with its twisting alleyways, cobbled streets, markets and cafes. There is even a tiny and still active Georgian theatre – hope you packed your tiara!

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: –

A gentle rural day, walking beside the River Swale and across the fields to Catterick Race Course. The trail threads it’s way to Brompton on Swale, crosses footbridges, climbs stiles, and follows tiny streams and quiet country roads before reaching the village of Danby Wiske.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 23km

Today it’s relatively even terrain under your feet as you continue to criss-cross country lanes and trails.

Our destination and stop for the night is the pretty village of Osmotherley nestled at the start of the North Yorkshire moorland segment. It’s a  steep but lovely woodland path up into this old Flax industry village. Osmotherley is a quaint village with three pubs to choose from, plus Britain’s oldest functioning Methodist Church (1754) – John Wesley came here to preach.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 18km

Gird your loins for a roller coaster walk today.

A steep stretch from Osmotherley introduces the North York Moors and its sandy, heather-clad hills and patches of forest. After coming off Scarth Wood Moor, and a long ascent up Live Moor and Carlton Bank, we descend to Lord Stones Café cut into the hill. After a cuppa, if you fancy, the journey continues to Cringle Moor, Broughton Bank and White Hill. White Hill has an area of sandstone boulders called The Wainstones that the trail threads through. Today has great views in clear weather, including Roseberry Topping, Vale of Mowbray and back to the Pennines.

Arriving at Clay Bank Top, a transfer (included) takes us to accommodation in Great Broughton.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 18km

A transfer (included) back to Clay Back Top, and then the walk follows a moorland ridge up over Round Hill. The track maintains its height as it follows the line of the old dismantled Rosedale Railway line. The moor is punctured in places by standing stones, some marked with inscriptions. There are also enticing views at times into the fertile upper valleys of Farn and Esk dales, before arriving at the ancient Lion Inn at Blakey.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 14km

The Yorkshire Moors are dotted with ancient markers, including the famous Fat Betty and the instantly recognisable Ralph Cross.

It’s an easy undulating descent down to beautiful wooded Eskdale, with some views opening up to the North Sea. The latter part of today’s walk follows a pretty path through woodlands on the banks of the River Esk. Coming across the ‘Beggars Bridge’, a parabolic stone structure that has a story of love lost and love refound!, we arrive at Egton Bridge. Our overnight destination features a church with relics of the Catholic martyr, Nicholas Postgate.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 19km

Our final day of walking, and if lucky, when reaching Grosmont, we will see an old steam train pull out for Pickering this morning.

Leaving Grosmont, the trail goes up and across heather moors with views down to Whitby and its Abbey. The sea and journey’s end is still tantalizingly far as the route abruptly changes course to visit the May Beck valley with its Falling Foss waterfall. A last section of high moor brings the coast, then the last 5km follow coastal cliffs to Robin Hood’s Bay. Wainwright appears to have planned his route with careful symmetry, finishing as started with a spectacular cliff top sweep but this time of the East Coast.

Robin Hood’s Bay is a village of red roofed houses clustered around its harbour on the North Sea coast. Here, you can go all the way to the bottom to skim west coast pebbles into the sea, and dip boots in the water to symbolically mark the end of the walk.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: 27km

After breakfast is time to say goodbyes and depart for onward journeys.

Please note that the Coast to Coast trail may have alternative routes and re-routes in place for the safety of walkers, varying weather conditions, and to minimise avoidable trail degradation. We take pride in our minimal impact principles and encourage all our walkers to share our love and respect for the special places we visit.

Meals Included: – Breakfast
Walking Distance: –

We grade the overall walking on this itinerary as MODERATE-CHALLENGING
(see our grading system)

This grading is provided as general advice only, and is based on our assessment and also feedback from past participants. Please consider your level of fitness and experience in regard to this rating, and if you’re unsure please contact us for more information

St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

Distance: 24km
Elevation Gain: 925m
Elevation Loss: 825m

Ennerdale Bridge to Borrowdale

Distance: 27km
Elevation Gain: 950m
Elevation Loss: 1000m

Borrowdale to Grasmere

Distance: 14km
Elevation Gain: 900m
Elevation Loss: 875m

Grasmere to Glenridding

Distance: 13km
Elevation Gain: 725m
Elevation Loss: 650m

Glenridding to Shap

Distance: 26km
Elevation Gain: 1250m
Elevation Loss: 1150m

Shap to Kirkby Stephen

Distance: 33km
Elevation Gain: 825m
Elevation Loss: 900m

Kirkby Stephen to Keld

Distance: 22km
Elevation Gain: 675m
Elevation Loss: 500m

Keld to Reeth

Distance: 20km
Elevation Gain: 625m
Elevation Loss: 750m

Reeth to Richmond

Distance: 20km
Elevation Gain: 475m
Elevation Loss: 525m

Richmond to Danby Whiske

Distance: 23km
Elevation Gain: 325m
Elevation Loss: 450m

Danby Whiske to Osmotherley

Distance: 18km
Elevation Gain: 625m
Elevation Loss: 500m

Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top

Distance: 18km
Elevation Gain: 900m
Elevation Loss: 800m

Clay Bank Top to Blakey

Distance: 14km
Elevation Gain: 425m
Elevation Loss: 300m

Blakey to Egton Bridge

Distance: 19km
Elevation Gain: 375m
Elevation Loss: 675m

Egton Bridge to Robin Hood’s Bay

Distance: 27km
Elevation Gain: 875m
Elevation Loss: 925m

10 REASONS TO WALK WITH US

Realistic Itineraries
we want you to love and be inspired by the Coast to Coast trail. This tour itinerary is well-designed and realistic, allowing you to complete the full itinerary ….. we don’t over sell and under deliver

Flexibility
we understand that a walk can be deeply personal and if possible, it’s best experienced at your own pace. So, we only provide semi-guided tours along the Coast to Coast trail. This itinerary provides the freedom you need and also peace of mind, knowing our guide is on the trail behind you for support and other group members are available for a chat on the days you need it. Each day you have the flexibility of choosing to walk alone, walk with other group members, or walk with our guide ….. you can ‘walk your way’

Be Fulfilled
this itinerary is designed to maximise your awe and leave you fulfilled. You will walk the entire 310km’s from St Bees on the west coast to Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast, with mindfully spaced rest days along the way in Grasmere and Richmond. We’ve planned this itinerary so you get the full experience and time to relax ….. you won’t leave feeling unfulfilled

Group Fitness
we want you to succeed and maximise your enjoyment, so pre-tour training walks, training programs, and group chats online are provided leading up to your walking tour (included as part of the tour price). These will assist you to practice on terrain that you are likely to encounter, meet your guides and other group members, ask questions on what to expect, receive advice on the trail, travel, and the destination, and gauge your level of fitness. Many people underestimate the difficulty of walking this trail and end up under-prepared and unfulfilled ….. so we invest in your preparation

Travel Assistance
our in-house travel specialists can assist you with travel insurance. If you want to see more of Europe, we can also package any accommodation, flights, and add-ons in addition to this tour. Package your Coast to Coast walk with us and save stress, time and money

Meaningful Moments 
we will bring your Coast to Coast experience alive ….. a guide book and phone App alone can’t do this as well as our local guides

Safety
our local guides carry group first-aid kits, communication devices, and safety equipment. In addition, safety procedures are in place, and constant communication is undertaken with local emergency services

Nature Connection
we want you to feel de-stressed and re-energised. So, our guides also immerse you with your surrounds. Not only do we safely guide you and share our knowledge, we also provide invitations for you to slow down and connect deeper with nature ….. we’re pioneers of hiking with deep nature immersion

Timing
we go at the best time of the year for comfortable walking conditions. We can’t guarantee perfect weather everyday, but you can book with confidence 

Small Groups
a maximum of 12 only on each departure. Meaning, it’s better for the environment and you won’t feel like you’re just a number in the crowd

Requires following bush trails carrying a day pack with some steep sections. Accommodation and transport includes stairs. Please talk to us about your accessibility needs before booking