Walking from Coast to Coast West

Walking information

The walking is on a mixture of tracks, paths and country roads, with sections through open moorland which can become boggy. There are some long ascents and descents and a head for heights is necessary.

Day 1: Arrive in St Bees

Check into your B&B, a convenient short walk from St Bees railway station.

Day 2: St. Bees - Ennerdale Bridge 23km/14.5mi/6hr

Set off from St Bees' beach along the coast before turning inland towards the village of Sandwith. Once you've passed through the sleepy villages of Moor Row and Cleator, you reach the first climb of the trip - Dent Fell - before arriving at the small village of Ennerdale Bridge.
Breakfast included

Day 3: Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite 23km/14.5mi/7.5hr or 24km/15mi/8hr

You're now in the Lake District National Park and the day starts with a walk along Ennerdale Water with superb views of the approaching fells. From here, you have a choice: either go high up to Red Pike and over High Stile onto the iconic Haystacks and past Inominate Tarn (where Wainwright’s ashes were scattered) or follow a gentler route up to Black Sail Youth Hostel and then up Loft Beck. Both routes take you to Honister Slate mine – the last working slate mine in England - before a descent into the village of Rosthwaite.
Breakfast included

Day 4: Rosthwaite to Grasmere 15km/9.5mi/6hr

A shorter stage today, but the ascent to the day's only peak, Greenup Edge, is steep and demanding. The view from here is another iconic picture of the unique and beautiful landscape of the Lake District. Overnight in pretty Grasmere.
Breakfast included

Day 5: Free day in Grasmere

A day off from walking today and the chance to explore Grasmere, including the Wordsworth Museum and the poet's former residence, Dove Cottage.
Breakfast included

Day 6: Grasmere to Patterdale 14km/9mi/6hr or 17km/10.5mi/8hr

All walkers climb up to Grisedale Hause with gorgeous views back towards Grasmere. From here, you have the option to go even higher and up the famous Helvellyn peak or onto St Sunday Crag - with far reaching views as far as Ullswater - before coming down Grisedale into Patterdale. Alternatively, take the direct route down Grisedale to the village.
Breakfast included

Day 7: Patterdale to Shap 25km/16mi/8hr

The day starts with another climb and impressive panoramic views across to Fairfield, Helvellyn, Hartsop and Kirkstone Pass. You continue beside Angle Tarn, across the old Roman path of High St and onto Kidsty Pike - at 780m, the highest point on the Coast to Coast Walk, from where there are amazing views down to Haweswater and Riggindale. Descend to Haweswater - formed in the 1930's to provide water to the cities of the North West - for an undulating onward walk into the charming village of Bampton. From here, set off through fields to Shap Abbey, the ruins of a monastery founded in the 13th century. The monks abandoned it to Henry V111 in 1540 and since then it has served as a memory of a bygone era. Overnight in the small town of Shap.
Breakfast included

Day 8: Shap to Orton 14km/8.5mi/5hr

There is less climbing today than the previous two days. The route crosses into the Westmorland Fells in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. From here, the vistas change from dramatic granite rocks to an open limestone landscape as you continue to the tiny village of Orton.
Breakfast included

Day 9: Orton to Kirkby Stephen 20km/12.5mi/6hr

Today's stage takes you through open countryside with occasional villages, remote houses and secluded farms - and a wide panorama towards the distinctive Howgills and the distant Pennines. Pass Smardale Bridge, a stunning piece of Victorian architecture from a long-gone railway. Then it's on into the small yet lively town of Kirkby Stephen, with its welcoming pubs, cafes and restaurants, in the heart of the lovely Eden Valley.
Breakfast included

Day 10: Leave Kirkby Stephen

After breakfast, make your way to Kirkby Stephen railway station for your train home.
Breakfast included