Northern England: Coast to Coast Path (East)

Arrival in Kirkby Stephen via train (routes available from all major airports) or car. Kirkby Stephen, located in the Eden Valley is just before the halfway point of the Coast to Coast and where our offices are based.

Today you have the choice between a route over the mountain 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 heather clad Swaledale, with its traditional stone barns and drystone walls. Whatever you choose, you arrive in Reeth, another quintessential Dales village with cosy pubs.

Challenge: 19 km / 12 mi, 420 m ascent, 550 m descent

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, with its quaint cobbled streets and imposing Norman Castle.

Challenge: 19 km / 12 mi, 370 m ascent, 425 m descent

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.

Challenge: 22 km / 14 mi, 140 m ascent, 240 m descent

Continue your approach towards the North York Moors National Park – and its hills. Walk 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.

Challenge: 18 km / 11 mi, 280 m ascent, 150 m descent

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. It feels like you are on a high mountain, but the North York Moors is only 400-500m 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.

Challenge: 33 km / 20,5 mi, 1075 m ascent, 840 m descent

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.

Challenge: 22 km / 14 mi, 190 m ascent, 550 m descent

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. On arrival, don’t forget to throw your St Bees’ stone into the North Sea.

Challenge: 25 km / 15,5 mi, 730 m ascent, 750 m descent

Arrangements end after breakfast.