Walking from Coast to Coast East

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 on the final coastal section.

Day 1: Arrive in Kirkby Stephen

There's time to explore this pretty market town before your briefing.

Day 2: Kirkby Stephen to Keld 19km/12mi/6hr

Leave Kirkby Stephen via the picture postcard village of Hartley, then the route gets hillier once again as you climb up and over the Nine Standards - a very distinctive feature on the fell, where Cumbria crosses into Yorkshire and the watershed between the Irish Sea and the North Sea meets. End the day in peaceful Keld, a former lead-mining village.
Breakfast included

Day 3: Keld to Reeth 19km/12mi/5.5hr

Today you have the choice between a route over the high fell or the lower route along the valley. The former crosses a remote landscape of grouse moors, dotted with ruins from the lead-mining era; the latter takes you via Swaledale, with its traditional stone barns and drystone walls. Whatever you choose, you arrive in Reeth, another quintessential Dales village with cosy pubs.
Breakfast included

Day 4: Reeth to Richmond 19km/12mi/5hr

Today's more leisurely stage takes you across verdant meadows and through pretty villages. Take time to explore Marrick Priory, a 12th century Benedictine nuns' monastery, abandoned during the 16th-century religious wars. Overnight in the pretty market town of Richmond.
Breakfast included

Day 5: At Richmond

A day off from walking today so there's plenty of time to explore Richmond with its quaint cobbled market place, historic winding alleyways, 12th century abbey and imposing Norman Castle - which will celebrate its 950th birthday in 2021!
Breakfast included

Day 6: Richmond to Danby Wiske 22km/14mi/6hr

An easier, flatter walk again today, taking you across the Vale of Mowbray, through fertile farmland and along quiet country lanes, via Bolton-on-Swale and its 14th century St. Mary's Church. Your final destination is Danby Wiske, a cluster of pretty houses huddled around the village green.
Breakfast included

Day 7: Danby Wiske to Ingleby Cross/Osmotherley 15km/9.5mi/4.5hr or 18km/11mi/5hr

Continue your approach towards the North York Moors National Park - and its hills! - along flat footpaths and farm tracks, passing brightly coloured rapeseed fields and sleepy livestock. Depending on accommodation availability, you overnight in either Ingleby Cross or Osmotherley.
Breakfast included

Day 8: Ingleby Cross/Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top 19km/12mi/5hr or 21km/13mi/5.5hr

Walk through woodland then head uphill for superb views back to Richmond and ahead towards the North Sea. You are finally in the North York Moors National Park with its wide expanses of heather covered moorland, contrasting with the distinctive rocky crags of the Wain Stones. There is a short transfer at the end of today's walk to your accommodation for the night.
Breakfast included

Day 9: Clay Bank Top to Blakey Ridge 16km/10mi/5hr

After you are dropped off back at Clay Bank Top, it feels like you are on a high mountain, but the North York Moors is only 4-500m above sea level. Today's stretch brings you across the plateau, along the route of an abandoned mine railway to The Lion Inn pub. Originally a 16th-century hunting lodge, it's the third highest pub in England and the only building for miles around.
Breakfast included

Day 10: Blakey Ridge to Grosmont 22km/14mi/6hr

Today's route is mainly flat and downhill beside Great Fryup Dale and into Glaisdale. There's one sting in the tail to get up and down into Egton Bridge before you end the day in peaceful Grosmont (pronounced 'Growmont'), one of the stops on the famous North York Moors steam railway.
Breakfast included

Day 11: Grosmont to Robin Hood's Bay 25km/15.5mi/7hr

Start the day with a steep road climb up onto the moor before descending into beautiful Littlebeck - but not before catching a glimpse of the sea and the breathtaking Whitby Abbey! Through Falling Foss woods with its hidden follies, walk over the last section of the Moors. The final stretch takes you from High Hawsker along the top of the Jurassic cliffs - with stunning coastal scenery and the sight of a dolphin if you're lucky. There are gorgeous vistas of Robin Hood's Bay as you descend to this beautiful old fishing village.
Breakfast included

Day 12: Leave Robin Hood's Bay