The Ultimate Guide to the Coast to Coast Walk in England
Attractions | Country Pubs | Countryside | Featured | Outdoor Activities | Pub | Pub Accommodation | Walking | Posted 2024.05.16
The Coast to Coast Walk is an iconic walk that takes you on a challenging but rewarding route across Northern England. Starting from the rugged heritage coast of St Bees in Cumbria, you’ll embark on a 192-mile hike through stunning countryside, finishing at North Yorkshire’s picturesque coastal town of Robin Hood’s Bay. Established by Alfred Wainwright, this long-distance walk across mountains, moorland, and meadows, allows you to see all different kinds of landscapes in the North of England.
An established tradition for walkers exploring the Coast to Coast Walk, is to start by wetting their boots in the sea at St Bees and collecting a pebble from the Irish Sea. This pebble is carried with you for the entire length of the trail and deposited on the beach at Robin Hood’s Bay, where walkers finish by taking a paddling in the North Sea.
The walk is perfect for those who are used to full-day hikes in the hills and are looking to embark on a challenge. It’s best to take your time with the walk, trekking over a week or two with plenty of rest stops along the way, ensuring you can get a well-needed sleep before discovering what the next day has in store. Undertaking the challenge over a longer period of time will also mean you can take in more of your surrounding areas – perhaps plan a few days off in key locations so that you can explore the local area in more depth.
Be sure to bring along a designated driver with you for the challenge. Someone who is able to transport your equipment and supplies between each stop and take you onto your well-deserved rest location at the end of each day.
Overview of the Coast to Coast Walk
The walk takes you through three National Parks, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, and is typically divided into fifteen sections:
| 15 Day Itinerary | |||
| Stage | From | To | Distance |
| Miles | |||
| 1 | St Bees | Ennerdale Bridge | 14 |
| 2 | Ennerdale Bridge | Rosthwaite | 14 |
| 3 | Rosthwaite | Grasmere | 9 |
| 4 | Grasmere | Patterdale | 8 |
| 5 | Patterdale | Bampton | 11½ |
| 6 | Bampton | Orton | 11½ |
| 7 | Orton | Kirkby Stephen | 12½ |
| 8 | Kirkby Stephen | Keld | 11 |
| 9 | Keld | Reeth | 10½ |
| 10 | Reeth | Richmond | 15 |
| 11 | Richmond | Ingleby Arncliffe | 23 |
| 12 | Ingleby Arncliffe | Clay Bank Top | 11 |
| 13 | Clay Bank Top | Lion Inn | 9 |
| 14 | Lion Inn | Grosmont | 12½ |
| 15 | Grosmont | Robin Hood’s Bay | 15½ |
Lake District National Park
The Lake District is known for its’ panoramic views, wildlife spotting, and rich cultural and historical experiences. This is the first of the National Parks you’ll come across and begins at Dent Fell. The walk sweeps around Ennerdale Water and Hawerswater, coming close to Buttermere, Grasmere and Ullswater.
When walking through this region of the Coast to Coast Walk, you will be able to explore peaceful lakes, ancient woodlands and climb up tall mountains. You will clearly see why the national park has inspired popular authors such as Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth and Heaton Cooper. These stages can be tricky in adverse weather conditions, but ensure to become prepared and you’ll be off to a flying start.
The highest point of the Coast to Coast path is Kidsty Pike in the Lake District, day 6, and lies on the Coast to Coast’s route to Haweswater. This peaks at 780 metres and lies to the west of Haweswater Reservoir, giving stunning views across the water.
Pubs for you to stay in when walking through the Lake District:
A short drive from the start of your walk in St Bees, you’ll find Gosforth Hall Inn, a historic inn dating to 1658 with original features, sandstone walls and oak beams. The pub has recently been lovingly restored and offers a choice of bedrooms, apartments and a luxury suite, in addition to delicious Cumbrian breakfasts to get you raring to go for your adventure.
Located to close to the Patterdale stop of the walk is The Ullswater Inn, a beautifully refurbished pub situated in the village of Glenridding. The pub boasts a variety of rooms, some of which are dog friendly – perfect for if you’re bringing your four-legged companion along with you.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
The Yorkshire Dales forms a vital section of the renowned Coast to Coast Walk. Much of the area is made up of lush green valleys, limestone cliffs, and charming villages. Rich in history, the area features ancient stone circles, medieval castles, and traditional farming practices, giving you lots to spot along the way.
When walking through The Yorkshire Dales passage in the Coast to Coast Walk you will be able to see large disused mining areas. This includes: Beldi Hill Lead Mines, Swinner Gill Lead Mines, Lownathwaite Lead Mines, and Old Gang Mines.
Pubs for you to stay in when walking through the Yorkshire Dales National Park:
Nestled in the village of Kirkby Stephen, the 8th stop along the route, is the Black Bull Hotel. This pub is a great pit stop for walkers and if you don’t have a designated driver with you on the walk, they can even move your baggage ahead of you if you ask in advance! Enjoy a delicious meal in the cosy dining area, or in the large alfresco garden in the warmer months, before getting a calming nights rest in one of the pubs nine comfortable bedrooms.
On the 9th stop of the walk, you’ll find the world famous Tan Hill Inn. This pub is the highest in Britain, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and situated on a hill not far from the trail, around the halfway point. Their tasty menus feature hearty pub classics, with plenty of options for restoring your energy levels after a day’s walking. Depending on when you stay, you may also catch some live music in the evening!
North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors is the final part of the Coast to Coast Walk and unlike the previous sections. The moors are very up and down, requiring many small ascents and descents each day. Covering over 550 square miles, The North York Moors is one of the largest continuous heather moorlands in the United Kingdom, renowned for its diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes. Vast expanses of moorland, alongside ancient woodlands, dramatic cliffs and serene valleys, creates a memorable tapestry of colour. The moors are a paradise for a diverse array of wildlife, including majestic birds of prey, playful otters and rare butterflies. The region abounds in prehistoric relics including burial chambers and boundary stones, much of which is encountered on the walk.
After uncovering the beauty of this serene landscape, you’ll conclude your escapade in Robin Hood’s Bay – a picturesque old fishing village. Make sure to spend time exploring this charming town, filled with twisting cobbled streets and alleyways in addition to large stretches of sandy beach with lots of rock pools to explore and ancient fossils to discover.
Pubs for you to stay in when walking through the North York Moors National Park:
The Punch Bowl Inn in Richmond is a 16th Century Inn ideally located along the Coast to Coast path, with unbeatable views of Richmond Castle. The pub serves a great selection of food covering lunches and dinners, great for refueling after your day of adventure. The nine bedrooms are all spacious with a variety of double, twin, and king to choose from.
Close to the 12th stop on the walk is The Northallerton Inn, in the centre of the market town of Northallerton. Once the town’s police station, this Georgian pub has 30 comfortable bedrooms, including options for guests bringing their dog. Their bar is well stocked with a range of refreshing beverages.
Once you’ve finished your walk and explored the gorgeous town of Robin Hood’s Bay, why not check out Whitby, just a short drive away. The Stables at Whitby boasts sweeping views across the idyllic countryside to the moors and beyond – great for looking back at how far you’ve come and what you’ve achieved. The former 17th century pub has recently been refurbished and features nine relaxing bedrooms alongside delicious menus and bar filled with drinks that will be ideal for celebrating your success!
Best Time to Walk
The best times to walk the Coast to Coast Walk is in the late spring (May and June) and late summer (August and September). In springtime, the wildflowers along the trail make it a botanist’s heaven. During late summer, the heather on the North York Moors is a spectacular blaze of purple.
Preparation
Ensure you’re adequately prepared with proper hiking gear. Bring sturdy and comfortable walking boots, waterproof clothing, and a detailed map of the route. Consider booking accommodation in advance, especially during peak walking seasons.