Enjoy over 190 miles of magnificent scenery as you cross three of Britain's most beautiful national parks on your classic journey along this famous trail. Divided into manageable sections this challenging route can be completed at a pace to suit you.

The Coast to Coast Path
Complete the whole of Wainwright's original epic voyage in 18 nights, starting from St Bees and finishing in Robin Hood's Bay.

West Section
Walking from St Bees to Keld in 9 nights, your tour starts from the edge of the Irish Sea, crossing the stunning Lake District and finishing in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

East Section
Walking from Keld to Robin Hood's Bay in 10 nights, your tour starts from the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, crossing the Vale of York and onwards over the North York Moors, finishing on the edge of the North Sea.

Highlights Magnificent and varied scenery A challenging route including many high views Eat out and enjoy fine English food at traditional country pubs and restaurants Good quality accommodation Weekend and short breaks available

Detailed information

	Detailed itinerary
	Type of walking
	Dates and prices
	Travel to and from your holiday
	Your accommodation and meals
	Average temperatures
	Extend your stay
	Why not try...

Detailed itinerary

WEST TRAIL - St Bees to Keld
Day 1: arrive at your friendly guesthouse at the start of the trail.

Day 2: after a ceremonial dipping of the boots in the Irish Sea, enjoy coastal walking and excellent panoramic views as you walk to Ennerdale Bridge. (14 miles, 2,300ft of ascent)

Day 3: enjoy a walk along the shores of Ennerdale Water before ascending to Honister Pass to reach Seatoller. (13½ miles, 1,650ft of ascent)

Day 4: discover the beautiful valley of Borrowdale before ascending to Helm Crag and finishing in Wordsworth's village of Grasmere. (9½ miles, 1,700ft of ascent)

Day 5: enjoy the stunning mountain landscape and the scenic Grisedale Tarn before descending to Patterdale at the southern end of Ullswater. (9 miles, 1,650ft of ascent)

Day 6: ascend via Angle Tarn to 'High Street', the highest Roman road in the country, before descending to Haweswater Reservoir and Burnbanks. (11½ miles, 2,300ft of ascent)

Day 7: walk via Shap to Orton, and enjoy the change in landscape as you leave the Lake District for the flatter limestone plateaux. (13 miles, 1,200ft of ascent)

Day 8: from Orton the trail passes sites of archaeological interest, crossing Ravenstonedale Moor and Smardale Fell to reach Kirkby Stephen. (12 miles, 1,400ft of ascent)

Day 9: enjoy panoramic views of the Yorkshire Dales from the famous Nine Standards Rigg, the watershed of Britain, before descending to Keld. (11 miles, 1,800ft of ascent)

EAST TRAIL - Keld to Robin Hood's Bay
Day 10: discover scattered remains of the area's mining history as you walk to the pretty village of Reeth. (11 miles, 1,800ft of ascent)

Day 11: enjoy a relaxing walk following the course of the River Swale to the historic town of Richmond, where you can visit the famous Norman Castle. (10 miles, 1,100ft of ascent)

Day 12: walk through the Vale of Mowbray to the charming village of Bolton-on-Swale and on to Danby Wiske. (13 miles, 350ft of ascent)

Day 13: enjoy easy walking past rural villages and pretty farmland to Ingleby Cross, before reaching the picturesque village of Osmotherly. (12½ miles, 900ft of ascent)

Day 14: discover the splendid scenery of the North York Moors National Park as you walk to Carlton Bank. (7 miles, 1,000ft of ascent)

Day 15: magnificent views await you across Cringle Moor and the Wainstones. Ascend from Clay Bank Top for easier walking across Farndale Moor to Blakey Ridge. (12 miles, 1,800ft of ascent)

Day 16: cross heather-clad hills as you walk along part of an ancient highway along Glaisdale Rigg to Glaisdale. (9 miles, 350ft of ascent)

Day 17: walk through pleasant woodland to Egton Bridge and take time to admire the steam trains in Grosmont before you reach Littlebeck. (7½ miles, 1,150ft of ascent)

Day 18: follow the trail along the coast to Robin Hood's Bay, where upon dipping your boots in the North Sea you can celebrate your achievement! (10½ miles, 1,200ft of ascent)

Day 19: depart after breakfast.

[Back to the top]

Type of walking

A challenging trail that requires good navigation skills and fitness to complete the ascents and descents required.

[Back to the top]

Dates and prices

Daily departures from April to September 2008

We have designed our holidays to be completely flexible so that you have the freedom to decide when to go, where to go and for how long. The sooner you book your holiday however, the easier it will be to match your preferred holiday dates. If you wish to travel around bank holidays or during the peak summer season we recommend that you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

[Back to the top]

Travel to and from your holiday

This is not included in the price of your holiday.

By road: St Bees is 15mins from the A596 south of Whitehaven. Keld is 1hr from the M6 at Tebay.

Parking
It is usually possible to park your car at one of the guesthouses at the start or the end of your trail, and we can check this for you once your booking has been confirmed. We provide you with details of how to make your way to the start of the trail, or to get back to your car at the end of your stay. The cost of this transfer is not included in the price of the holiday, but is usually quite inexpensive when travelling by local public transport. Direct taxi journeys can also be arranged. Parking is at guests' own risk. In places of very limited parking guesthouses and hotels may charge a small parking fee (approximately £3 per night).

By train: for the West Trail take a train to St Bees station then by foot or taxi. For the East Trail take a train to Kirkby Stephen station then by taxi.

The following websites should help you to plan your journey:

By road: www.theaa.com
By rail: www.thetrainline.com
By coach: www.nationalexpress.com

More detailed travel information is provided in the personal information pack.

[Back to the top]

Your accommodation and meals

You stay in small, friendly guesthouses, family-run hotels, farmhouse bed and breakfasts and country inns all offering you the warmth of traditional British hospitality.

We offer en-suite rooms wherever possible, although in more remote regions where accommodation is limited they may not be available. You may stay for one night or spend several nights at one guesthouse and where this is the case we will provide a pick up and drop off service for your day's walk. You will receive a complete list of your accommodation with contact details in your personal information pack.

All accommodation is booked on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing you the freedom to choose where and when you would like to eat your lunch and evening meals. In many cases the guesthouses where you stay offer excellent evening meals or your personal information pack provides details of recommended restaurants and traditional British pubs.

Information about which of the guesthouses provide a packed lunch, and how much this costs is provided in our local information booklet included in your personal information pack. If the guesthouses en route are unable to offer this service we provide information about where you can buy food in local shops nearby. Alternatively, you may like to stop for lunch and sample the local cuisine at traditional pubs and cafes as you choose.

[Back to the top]

Average temperatures

[Back to the top]

Extend your stay

We can add rest days at the end of your trip to extend your holiday by as long as you wish.

[Back to the top]

Why not try...

A guided walking trail along the Coast to Coast, click here for more information.

Why not explore further afield and spend some time at our lovely Country House accommodation in the North Yorkshire Dales at Sedbergh or in the North York Moors at Whitby.

[Back to the top]