9-day Coast to Coast Path (West) Walking Holiday

Arrival in St. Bees via train – routes available from all major airports.

St Bees includes St Bees Head, the most westerly point of Cumbria, on the coastal strip between the Lakeland fells and the Irish Sea. It has a history going back over 1,000 years and has been a popular holiday destination for over 150 years.

Before setting off this morning, follow the tradition of all coast-to-coast walkers and collect a stone from the beach in St. Bees, which you will carry to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea.

Set off 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. Sometimes if there is no accommodation in Ennerdale, then you will stay at nearby Cleator which includes a transfer.

Challenge: 23 km / 14 mi, 6 hrs, 645 m ascent, 547 m descent

You are 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 followed by Stonethwaite (both located in the Borrowdale Valley).

Challenge: 24 km / 14.9 mi, 8 hrs, 1028 m ascent, 1044 m descent

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 where there is lots to explore including the Wordsworth Museum and the poet’s former residence, Dove Cottage.

Challenge: 15 km / 9 mi, 5,5 hrs, 547 m ascent, 563 m descent

All walkers along the Coast to Coast 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 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.

Challenge: 14 -17 km / 8.7 / 10.5 mi, 6 - 8 hrs, 541 m ascent, 458 m descent

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 here you can have 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 through the charming village of Bampton and continuing past Shap Abbey, the ruins of a monastery founded in the 13th century. The monks abandoned it to Henry VIII in 1540 and since then it has served as a memory of a bygone era. A short distance to the village of Shap.

Challenge: 27 km / 17 mi, 7,5 hrs, 900 m ascent, 798 m descent

The route from Shap 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 past the tiny village of Orton.

NOTE: Due to there being limited accommodation in Orton, you might be staying at the excellent Westmorland hotel. To reach this you descend off Wainwright’s route along an old roman road off Crosby Ravensworth Fell, before making your way to
your accommodation

Challenge: 13 km / 8 mi, 4,5 hrs, 226 m ascent, 250 m descent

Today is a bridging day between Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. You start your day in Orton, a quaint picturesque village with Kennedy’s Chocolate factory to lead you into temptation and stock up on snacks for the day. From here you walk through open countryside and farmland walking, with a section of moors and a wide panorama towards the distinctive Howgills and the distant Pennines. Passing Sunbiggin Tarn, which is an important site for birds, a steep descent to the Scandal Beck at Smardale Bridge makes for a nice lunch stop, with excellent views of the Victorian viaduct.

Continue to ascend over Smardale Fell for the pretty descent into Kirkby Stephen. This is an attractive market town, with St. Hedda’s Church containing the 8th Century Loki stone relating to Norse mythology.

Challenge: 20/24 km / 12.4/15 mi, 6 - 7 hrs, 290 m ascent, 350 m descent