Experience what some would argue is the most spectacular part of England’s Coast to Coast walk, from St Bees on the Irish Coast to the old market town of Kirkby Stephen in the Yorkshire Dales. This week-long journey covers a distance of just over 131 km, much of which is spent in the iconic Lake District, recognised as a World Heritage Site since 2017. Considered to be the most challenging part of the Coast to Coast track, the route will take you up rugged hills (‘fells’), along the shores of beautiful lakes, and through lush, green valleys, such as Borrowdale and Wordsworth’s Grasmere, studded with sheep and glorious views.
If you are not quite ready to commit to the full Coast to Coast walk or only have a week to spare but are looking for some challenging fell walking, this is the trip for you!
August is one of the best months in which to walk the Coast to Coast. The weather is often relatively stable, the heather is in flower, and it is often less busy at this time than one might expect!
The majority of the Coast to Coast walk is not waymarked. In some places, there are small “Wainwright” stickers on the public path markers to indicate which of the diverse routes is the Coast to Coast. There are occasional signposts kindly erected by local councils, and numerous unofficial signs to prevent you from walking through someone’s garden or field, but on the whole you will need to rely on our comprehensive set of notes! The map we provide and a compass or a GPS is also useful.
Arrive at St Bees at your own leisure and check into your accommodation. Enjoy a stroll on the beach or explore the lighthouse and the Priory founded in 1020AD. Or simply take the opportunity to wander around the very pleasant township and relax in one of the many pubs in preparation for the first days walk.
Starting out along the cliffs at St Bees (great views of nesting seabird colonies in spring and early summer), the walk takes you through the agricultural landscapes around the villages of Moor Row and Cleator, before the ascent of Dent Fell Hill (353 m) for some grand views of the coast now behind you. Descend to the beautiful gorge of Nannycatch Gate and continue easily to Ennerdale Bridge Village.
Today we enter the Lake District National Park, starting with a delightful walk along the southern shores of Ennerdale Water. A long forest road leads through conifer plantations to the famous Black Sail Hut. This is a nice spot to pause for lunch and marvel at the fantastic glacier-carved valleys all around. A steep climb along the line of Loft Beck takes you to a high saddle with extensive vistas that feature many famous peaks and lakes of the area. The old Moses Trod path then brings you to the Honnister Slate mines where we meet the winding road down to the Borrowdale Valley and today’s destination.
A gentle start through Stonethwaite Valley following the beck of the same name. Eagle Crag looming up on the far side of the valley. The gradient increases for the push to the rocky outcrop of Lining Crag. You’ll definitely deserve a break here to catch your breath and take in the views of Scafell Pike (England’s highest peak at 978 m) and more. Easier gradients follow to Greenup Edge and on, to the head of the Far Easedale Valley. From here, take either the good weather High Route over Calf and Helm Crags (add 1 hr but no additional climbing), or continue down towards Grasmere following the line of Far Easedale Beck. Grasmere was home to the poet Wordsworth for many years. He described this valley as, “the fairest place on earth”.
There are many things to see here, including Wordsworth’s famous Dove Cottage, now a museum. Perhaps consider a day off to spend some time in Grasmere. It’s well worth it!
Both options today take you up the delightful valley of Tongue Gill to Grisedale Hause. From here, either continue down Grisedale Valley to Patterdale-Glenridding following the line of the beck that drains the tarn, or, in good weather, consider the high ridge walk via Saint Sunday Crag.
Patterdale-Glenridding is also a good option for a rest day, especially if you are keen to climb Helvellyn via the Classic Route, going up via Striding Edge and descending again via Swirral Edge.
A demanding leave-taking of the Lake District via Angle Tarn and Kidsty Pike (784 m), the Coast to Coast’s highest point. A steep descent from the high plateau via Kidsty Howes takes you towards Haweswater. The walk continues ‘undulating’ across the slopes above the lake to Burnbanks village. From there, a few last km along easy country lanes to arrive at Bampton or Bampton Grange village and your accommodation for the night.
Beyond the village of Shap, you enter the limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales. The area includes some of the finest limestone scenery in the UK. Each valley (dale) has its own distinct character and is set against expansive heather moorland ‘tops’.
Today takes us through the fields, following old public rights of way along the River Lowther, to the ruins of Shap Abbey (founded in the late 12th Century). Heading up to the village of Shap where there is a small supermarket and café, before continuing over the busy M6 via a pedestrian footbridge. Then over the moors through one of England’s “Empty Quarters” where overgrown stone circles and burial mounds are evidence of a time when this area was far more densely populated.
The onwards route crosses the base of an upland area of limestone (the Orton Scar) before continuing over the moors towards Sunbiggin Tarn. In spring, this area is dotted with limestone-loving wildflowers and the skies are filled with birdsong. These wild, windswept moors were also once home to thriving communities as attested by the Severals village complex (not excavated) and enigmatic “pillow mounds” near Smardale Bridge. A gentle climb up and over the fells brings you to the old market town of Kirkby Stephen. Granted a market charter in 1351, this vibrant town boasts numerous cafes, restaurants, pubs, and even a few outdoor gear stores!
After breakfast the trip officially ends.
A real highlight on this walk as it is for all the Coast to Coast trips is staying in the traditional English Bed and Breakfast and lodge accommodations along the way. The genuine warm welcome each day from your hosts is all part of the experience. In many cases the hosts own the accommodation, and subsequently provide a much more personable experience. Hosts often have intimate knowledge of the history of the Coast to Coast track, many of them have walked the Coast to Coast, some a multiple times. All the properties are well cared for and of course very comfortable, offering all the local hospitality that the English are renowned for.
After each day’s walk on the Coast to Coast be rewarded with a hot shower, a cosy bed and cooked dinner (we’ve left this to you as there are many choices on offer). We do however include all the cooked breakfasts in residence and all the walkers lunches (except for one).
All the accommodations listed below are our’ go to’ accommodations but on some occasions we may have to swap out one accommodation for another of equal quality due to lack of availability.
This bed and breakfast is a large modernised Georgian farmhouse with a warm, friendly atmosphere. It is situated in the centre of the St Bees village; basically turn right out of the train station and walk 50 metres, that’s how central it is. It is a 10 mins walk to the beach and a few more minutes to the 11th century Priory one of the finest buildings in Cumbria. The rooms have ensuites and are in character as is the rest of the building inside and out.
This B&B is located right on the Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk in the picturesque Village of Ennerdale. This is another small accommodation with only 6 rooms but lovely all the same. Well cared for and family run and undoubtedly English. All the rooms have ensuites or private bathroom.
Glaramara Hotel is a privately owned hotel of 25 rooms managed and operated by an experienced and professional team. The location of the property is particularly striking with commanding views of the Borrowdale Fells. Of course there is easy access to some of the best routes in the Lake District, including the Coast to Coast walk. All the rooms have ensuites.
Grasmere is a quaint and peaceful Lake District Village and also once home to Wordsworth who praised this area in poetry. Raise View is ideally located, in the heart of the town and boasts breathtaking views of the hills and the surrounding area. The garden at Raise View is the perfect place to enjoy the sun set over Helm Crag. The rooms are excellent and have ensuites.
A walkers inn, situated in the delightful village of Patterdale and at the heart of the Lake District National Park, located on the famous Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walking route. A favourite with Alfred Wainwright, there is a memorabilia board on display. Guests are automatically booked in for dinner in the restaurant. The staff are very friendly and ready to help you with all your requirements. All the rooms have ensuites.
The Crown & Mitre is located in Bampton Grange near Haweswater in Cumbria. This character filled Inn is an historic free house nestled on the edge of the North Eastern Fells. There are several walks directly from the Inn that can be accessed at your leisure. There is an amazing amount of wildlife nearby including red squirrels in the church yard opposite, red deer on the local fells nearby and if you are lucky the otters in the local river. All rooms have ensuites.
The George is a traditional Inn set in the picturesque village of Orton, on the border of the Howgills and the Eden Valley. As a family run business, you will always find a very warm welcome at any time of the year. With Kennedys Fine Chocolates located just across the road you’ll be able to enjoy a cup of coffee and sample chocolate at the end of the days walk. All the rooms have ensuites.
A small family run B&B with 3 luxurious rooms in Orton. It is ideally positioned to access the Lake District, Yorkshire dales, Howgill hills and the Durham dales. Located in Tebay, all Coast to Coast walkers will be collected and dropped off the following day to resume the walk. The rooms are well appointed and have quality soft furnishings, bed linen and of course have ensuites.
This is a small friendly family run “home away from home” B&B in Kirkby Stephen. Once a traditional toll cottage it now offers accommodation and all the warmth and charm of a bygone era. The property has the character and ambience one would expect from a period property with beams, flagged floors and beautifully crafted bespoke features. Walkers are warmly welcomed with refreshments on arrival served in the guest lounge with wood burning stove and spectacular views of the surrounding country side. All rooms have ensuites.
For starters we’ve actually walked the track and take the time to curate what we actually offer. The Coast to Coast follows clear walking tracks throughout but there are lots of tracks going in all directions. In areas like the Lakes District National Park, walking tracks are not signposted at all, it is apparently against their “ethos”. Not to worry, our very comprehensive day-by-day walking notes that we’ve created, together with our marked copy of a detailed walking map, will ensure that you can walk the Coast to Coast with full confidence, and no fear of becoming lost, even when if is foggy and misty.
The walk is available from March to October. Outside that time please check with us.
August is one of the best months in which to walk the Coast to Coast. The weather is often relatively stable, the heather is in flower, and it is often less busy at this time than one might expect! However we also recommend spring and autumn as the best time to walk the Coast to Coast track as the weather is pretty good for walking.
8 days is the recommended minimum amount of time in which to do this walk. This means that there days where you walk up to 23 km days and a few as 14 km. The shorter days have a little up and down so there’s enough walking. We can also adjust this schedule to include rest days if you need to. The track conditions range, but all of the walk is passable, no scrambling required. There is some incline but where not talking about anything significant. The United Kingdom is prone to having rain, no surprise there, so there may be some boggy sections but this entirely depends on the time of year and the prevailing conditions. Our advice is to prepare and bring the right gear and you’ll have a fabulous walk. See gear advice in FAQ’s.
We offer this walk from St Bees to Kirkby Stephen, from west to east so the walk starts in St Bees. The closest airports to the St Bees are Manchester and Newcastle, then it’s a 4 hour train ride from there. Of course London is the most popular entry route into the UK . You can take a train which takes 5 to 6 hours from Euston Station central London northwards to St Bees (via Carlisle).
If you are thinking of driving please be aware that there are very limited parking facilities at St Bees, other than near the beach. Sometimes our accommodations have parking available at a small fee per night. Please speak to us about helping you facilitate this.
Getting away from Kirkby Stephen. The best way to continue your onward journey from Kirkby Stephen is to catch a train, either to London a 5.5 hour journey or to Manchester (or Newcastle) approximately 4 hours. The closest airports are again either Newcastle or Manchester.
Please check National Rail or the Trainline website for timetables.
If you left your car in St Bees you would need to take the train to St Bees (approx. 4 hrs). Again please check National Rail or the Trainline website for timetables.
This walk is not available from November to February. See the United Kingdom Met office or the United Kingdom Meteorological Service for information about the weather and average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.
We require that you purchase travel insurance for overseas travel. Partly because we have to charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your Coast to Coast West walking holiday after we have confirmed it. We offer a 30% discount on travel insurance booked via our website. Get an instant quote and purchase online now.