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5
challenging
Activities
  • guided walk
Accommodation
  • 12 nights hotel/guesthouse/inn
Meals
  • 12 Breakfasts

13 Days£3100GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: EB3

Best of the Coast to Coast - Guided Trip highlights

  • Hike the highlights of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast on this specially designed trip
  • Benefit from the knowledge, years of experience and care of our expert guides
  • Enjoy the best hikes of the C2C route taking transfers to shorten the longer days
  • Break up the walking with rest days to explore Grasmere & Richmond
  • Cruise Lake Ullswater on a Victorian steamboat & visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage
  • Marvel at York’s medieval minster, ancient city walls and winding streets
  • Take your pebble from the Irish Sea at St Bees to the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast is one of Britain’s National Trails, crossing northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. Designed by Alfred Wainwright, the route links some of the finest walking country in England with historic market towns, remote valleys, open moorland and dramatic coastal scenery.

Usually undertaken in 15 to 20 days, the route is epic and includes strenuous climbs and long days. Using our 40 years of experience of operating the Coast to Coast, this new 13-day itinerary enables you to maximise your enjoyment of the best hikes and minimise the exhaustion of the longer days! Two built-in rest days break up the journey so you can explore beautiful Grasmere, home to the Wordsworths, and the market town of Richmond with its castle, as well as rest weary legs.

Using strategic transfers to shorten some of the longer or less rewarding sections, this special trip retains the traditional start at St Bees and finish at Robin Hood’s Bay, allowing you to collect a pebble from the Irish Sea and deposit it in the North Sea at the end of the walk. The route includes the most memorable sections such as wild Ennerdale, the ancient forests of Borrowdale, views from Greenup Edge to Grasmere, mysterious Nine Standards Rigg, the Swaledale valley, historic Richmond, Blakey Ridge and the final approach to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Walkers’ Britain & Europe's guides are highly experienced, professional and know this route exceptionally well. Our head guide has hiked the trail no less than 25 times!

With an experienced Walkers’ Britain & Europe walking guide, private transfers, luggage transfers and carefully selected accommodation, this trip is suited to experienced hikers who want a rewarding guided Coast to Coast experience with the benefit of professional support and time to enjoy the sights along the way.

Countries:

England

Starting Point:

St Bees

Finishing Point:

York

Itinerary

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Arrive in St Bees on the Cumbrian coast and meet your guide, leader and fellow walkers at the accommodation for a welcome dinner. The group gathers by the Irish Sea for the traditional pebble ceremony, collecting the stone that will be carried across England and deposited in the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay. This is a chance to settle in, review the route ahead and prepare for the first day on the trail. Accommodation: Overnight in a welcoming and friendly guesthouse in St Bees.

Meals:  Nil

The walk begins on the red sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head, England’s most westerly point on the northern coast and home to England’s only colony of black guillemots. From the coast, the route turns inland through farmland and quiet Cumbrian villages, with the western Lake District fells gradually coming into view. The day finishes at the foot of Dent Fell, with a celebratory English afternoon tea with prosecco to toast your first miles on the Coast to Coast. Accommodation: Overnight in a small hotel in Cleator.

Meals:  B

After a short transfer to Ennerdale, you will walk the full length of one of England’s wildest and most remote lakes. The route continues beyond the lake through the narrowing valley, passing remote Black Sail Youth Hostel and historic Honister Slate Mine area before descending into Borrowdale. Overnighting in Borrowdale allows you to experience one of the Lake District’s most famous “dales” or valleys. Accommodation: A small hotel or B&B in the heart of the valley.

Meals:  B

Today’s walk follows a classic Lake District route crossing from Stonethwaite beside Greenup Gill to the high pass of Greenup Edge. Views open back towards Borrowdale before the route descends by Easedale into Grasmere, the home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. This bustling village offers pubs, cafés, galleries and the well-known Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. Accommodation: Two nights in a small hotel or guesthouse in Grasmere.

Meals:  B

Enjoy a rest day in Grasmere, one of the Lake District’s most attractive villages. You may choose to visit Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum at the Jerwood Centre, home to a collection of manuscripts and art relating to the Romantic movement, walk around Grasmere or Rydal Water, explore the village shops and cafés, or take a shorter optional walk around the villages. This day provides time to recover before the final Lake District pass crossing. Accommodation: A second night in Grasmere.

Meals:  B

Leaving Grasmere, ascend to Grisedale Hause, one of the Lake District’s finest mountain passes, with Grisedale Tarn set below the surrounding fells. The descent into Patterdale brings views of Ullswater, the valley where Wordsworth was inspired by the “host of golden daffodils”, before reaching Glenridding. From here, enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Ullswater on a Victorian Steamboat to Pooley Bridge before transferring to Kirkby Stephen. Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse or small hotel in Kirkby Stephen.

Meals:  B

A short transfer takes you to Tailbridge Neck before the route climbs to Nine Standards Rigg, the Pennine watershed and a symbolic high point of the Coast to Coast as you cross the “backbone of England”. The ancient and mysterious cairns on the summit mark one of the most distinctive sights on the route. Descend through remote moorland towards Ravenseat Farm, home of the “Yorkshire Shepherdess” and continue to Keld, where the Coast to Coast meets the Pennine Way. Accommodation: Overnight in a hotel in Keld.

Meals:  B

After a short transfer to Reeth, the route follows the River Swale through lower Swaledale, with riverside meadows, ancient woodland, open fields and views across the Yorkshire Dales. The hike through the valley offers a real insight into traditional Dales life with its sheep farms and patchwork of fields bounded by ancient stone walls. The approach to Richmond through Whitcliffe Wood is one of the walk’s great arrivals. Richmond is the largest town on the Coast to Coast and has the old world charm of cobbled streets sitting below an imposing Norman castle. Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse or small hotel in Richmond.

Meals:  B

Enjoy a free day in Richmond after the walk from Reeth, the longest day on the trip. Choose to relax and unwind or visit Richmond Castle, explore the ancient market square, walk along the River Swale to Easby Abbey, visit the Georgian Theatre Royal or spend time in the town’s cafés, pubs and independent shops. This day gives you time to rest before entering the North York Moors. Accommodation: A second night in Richmond.

Meals:  B

Transfer to Clay Bank Top and begin walking across the North York Moors. The route climbs onto Urra Moor, the highpoint of the North Yorkshire Moors, and follows open moorland and escarpment paths, with wide views across the surrounding countryside. Continue along the old Rosedale Railway route to Blakey Ridge and the Lion Inn, one of England’s highest and most remote pubs serving travellers since 1553. Accommodation: Overnight in the inn at Blakey Ridge.

Meals:  B

Today’s walk descends from open moorland into the valleys of the Esk and its tributaries. The route passes the distinctive “Fat Betty” waymarker, skirts Great Fryup Dale, descends Glaisdale Rigg and follows wooded riverside paths towards Egton Bridge. This attractive village is one of the quiet gems of the eastern Coast to Coast. Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse or B&B in Egton Bridge.

Meals:  B

Transfer to Littlebeck for the final walking stage to Robin Hood’s Bay. The route passes through ancient woodland near Falling Foss waterfall before crossing open moorland and joining the Cleveland Way along the clifftops. The final descent into the old harbour at Robin Hood’s Bay brings you to the North Sea, where you complete the traditional pebble ceremony by placing your St Bees pebble back in the sea to mark the end of the crossing. Enjoy a celebratory pint in the Bay Hotel, and then afterwards transfer (1hr 15 mins) to the medieval city of York. Accommodation: Overnight in a city centre hotel in York.

Meals:  B

Arrangements end after breakfast in York. York is one of England’s great historic cities, with Roman, Viking and medieval hseritage, including York Minster, the Shambles and the ancient city walls. There is much to see and do, and we recommend staying an extra night if you can. Please ask your travel consultant about additional nights’ accommodation when you book.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 12 nights accommodation in traditional inns, guesthouses and hotels on a twin-share basis
  • 12 breakfasts
  • Experienced walking guide throughout
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg
  • Private group transfers specified in the itinerary
  • Ullswater Steamer journey
  • Afternoon tea on day 2
  • Welcome briefing
  • Emergency hotline

  • Lunch, dinner and drinks (unless specified)
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Entrance fees
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling alone or book a single room, as prices are based on twin occupancy
  • Excess Luggage

Accommodation

Hotels, B&Bs, Inns & Guesthouses

Accommodation on the Coast to Coast is a wonderful mix of good quality hotels, B&Bs, inns and guesthouses and the variety adds to your experience of northern England. We select accommodation on the trail and where possible, you will stay together as a group. There are a couple of places where accommodation is limited so the group may need to split, but will remain close by. We always aim to book rooms with ensuite facilities, although this is not always possible and there are some places where you may need to share a bathroom, particularly if you are in a single room. Most rooms feature showers rather than baths primarily because space is limited in the older, traditional inns and B&Bs. Rooms usually have kettles and tea and coffee making facilities alongside TVs.

Trail Surface

Natural terrain and hill paths with uneven surfaces

The trails in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors are a mix of mountain footpaths, woodland trails and farm tracks. You will follow a variety of natural trails, some very narrow and rocky with uneven surfaces. Trails that are stone, gravel and slate can be slippery when wet and some of the terrain is boggy and it can be muddy after rain. A good level of fitness and ability to walk on rocky and muddy terrain is required. Good boots, with ankle support, are essential. You will need to carry drinking water and adequate protection against sun, wind and rain.

Suitability

challenging

5

This is a demanding long-distance walk for experienced walkers. Daily distances range from 12–20km / 7.5–12.5 miles, with a total of approximately 145km / 90 miles. You should be able to walk 5–8 hours a day with a daypack over consecutive days, including rocky fell paths, steep ascents and descents, uneven moorland and potentially wet or boggy ground. The guide will set a steady group pace, with route adjustments made if required for weather, trail conditions or group needs.

Departure dates


Notes

Note:
More guided Coast to Coast Walks in 2027: 17- days (code EB7), 18-days (code ECZ) and in-comfort 10-day option (code ECX).
Note:
Enquire about the possibility of sharing a room with a traveller of the same gender.

Priceper person from

£3100GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single room supplementGBP£670
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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This hiking itinerary focuses on the most rewarding sections of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast while using strategic transfers to reduce some of the longer or less scenic road sections. It still includes the traditional start at St Bees and finish at Robin Hood’s Bay, allowing walkers to complete the coast-to-coast pebble ceremony.

Yes. The group is accompanied by an experienced walking guide throughout. The guide manages navigation and route decisions, allowing you to focus on the walk and the places along the way. Walkers' Britain & Europe Coast to Coast guides are amongst the most experienced in the business; our head guide, John, has hiked the route more than 25 times with our groups!

Yes. This Coast to Coast route includes walking in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

No. Luggage is transferred between accommodations. You only carry a daypack with waterproofs, spare layers, water, snacks, lunch and personal essentials.

This trip is strenuous, even with the most difficult sections omitted from this itinerary. You should be comfortable walking up to 20km / 12.5 miles per day over hilly, uneven and sometimes boggy terrain with consecutive walking days and changeable weather. The section between Ennerdale and Grasmere is considered harder walking than average on this trip.

Accommodation is in traditional inns, guesthouses and hotels, all with different characters. Some overnight stops are at inns dating backing hundreds of years, some are guesthouses run by family hosts and in other places small hotels. All chosen for proximity to the trail and the valuable relationships we have developed with them offering the route for almost 40 years.

Best of the Coast to Coast - Guided Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.

Great Value & Quality

Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.

Self-Guided Specialists

We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.

Best of the Coast to Coast - Guided Videos

Discover England's Coast to Coast with Walkers' Britain & Europe