Follow the Coast to Coast Walk from St Bees towards the historic villages and beautiful landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. Experience the most dramatic section of Wainwright’s legendary Coast to Coast route on this self-guided walking holiday from the Irish Sea at St Bees to the market town of Kirkby Stephen. The western half of the trail showcases some of the most spectacular scenery in northern England, taking you across the rugged heart of the Lake District National Park and into the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
If you're short on time, new to long-distance walking, or prefer to explore the route in manageable stages, this itinerary is an ideal way to sample the best-loved landscapes of the Coast to Coast. It’s also perfect for hikers who simply want the thrill of crossing the Lake District on foot, experiencing the quiet valleys, shimmering lakes, towering peaks and traditional fellside villages. You’ll start your journey by dipping your boots in the Irish Sea at St Bees, then head east with the prevailing wind at your back. The route leads through dramatic valleys such as Ennerdale, Borrowdale, and Patterdale, with the chance to take optional high-level detours to iconic Lakeland summits like Helvellyn. As the Lake District fells give way to the gentler landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, your walk concludes in Kirkby Stephen, a charming town with rail links and a great place to relax after an inspiring week on the trail.
Looking to take things at a gentler pace? Our 9-day version of this trip (trip code WSK) breaks up the longer stage between Shap and Kirkby Stephen, offering a more relaxed alternative.
Scroll down to explore all our Coast to Coast walking options.
Great walk, beautiful scenery, excellent accommodation, luggage transfers went without a hitch. Electronic map made it almost impossible to get lost. English weather!
I had a very well planned and arranged trip on the East Coast to Coast from Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood's Bay. The accommodations arranged were comfortable, friendly, and well situated along the trail. The bag transport worked very well, as did the return transfer to Kirkby Stephen where my car was waiting. The advice on dining was right on and the maps, instructions, and attractions along the way were super. Well done!
An amazing walking holiday across stunning scenery in the Lakes District. Very well supported by the team, with delightful accommodation, good maps and luggage handling. Thank you!
Superb navigation app along with well-chosen route friendlly accomodation with a particular mention to Hillingford B&B in Ramsey. All cases transferred smoothly. We added extra days in Douglas and were grateful for the room upgrade at the Ellan Vannin hotel which was quite busy. The route itself was great but the oath in need of some signage maintenance
Beautifully varied and wonderfully unspoilt, Dorset's award-winning Jurassic Coast offers 95 miles of idyllic sandy beaches backed by ancient craggy cliffs and meadows carpeted with seasonal wildflowers. In 2001, it gained UNESCO recognition as England's first Natural World Heritage Site charting 185 million years of the earth's history, with rocks and fossils dating to Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous times.
This 6-night Jurassic Coast walk is the perfect introduction to Dorset's wild and beautiful landscape, where the quietly rolling Purbeck Hills stand in stark contrast to the huge falcon patrolled chalk cliffs, and where every climb is rewarded with fantastic sweeping sea views. In the main, your route follows the coast-hugging long-distance South West Coast Path, pitching and swooping from one downland hollow to the next before a gentle descent into Lulworth Cove by way of the panoramic Burning Cliff and the world-famous rock-arch, Durdle Door. The 280-acre Durlston Country Park is a haven for wildlife (including rare red squirrels) and, with over 250 species of birds, is an ornithologist's paradise. On your final stretch of the Jurassic Coast walk, if you're lucky, you may spot bottlenose dolphins and playful seals emerging from the waves beyond Swanage where the procession of sculpted cliffs and towering chalk stacks known as Old Harry Rocks, marks the end of the Jurassic Coast.
As well as outstanding natural beauty, the region is also rich in archaeology with ancient forts and crumbling castles proudly guarding quintessential rural villages tucked into tranquil corners and crammed with traditional sandstone cottages, tempting tearooms and atmospheric old coaching inns serving great local food. The places you'll be staying in are among the best in the region, including a hotel with excellent leisure facilities and within walking distance of the Georgian Esplanade in Weymouth and a family-run property that looks out toward Swanage bay. Breakfasts are included everywhere; with so many dining options on your doorstep, we've left other meals up to you.
The world famous Coast-to-Coast is an exhilarating long-distance walking route originally described by the writer Alfred Wainwright in his book of the same name. First published in 1973, the book has grown in renown and today is as popular as ever, with the walk itself featuring on the bucket list of all keen walkers.
At nearly 200 miles in length, the route takes you across country, up fells and down dales, from Cumbria's St Bees, on the shores of the Irish Sea, to the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire, passing fabulous landscapes at every turn.
The tour runs through three national parks in northern England - the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors - and features some of the most spectacular and beautiful scenery in the country.
The walking is challenging and recommended for experienced fell walkers and confident map readers only, but the sense of achievement and camaraderie when you encounter fellow coast to coasters makes it all worthwhile.
Your accommodation each night is in carefully picked B&Bs, with either ensuite or private facilities, where friendly smiles and warm welcomes to weary walkers are guaranteed!
Please note that GPX tracks and a routes and maps guide are provided on this trip, along with our usual maps. This replaces our usual turn by turn route directions.
St Bees, Robin Hoods Bay, Reeth, Richmond, Danby Wiske, Osmotherley, Clay Bank Top, Blakey, Grosmont, Robin Hood’s Bay, Ennerdale Bridge, Rosthwaite, Grasmere, Patterdale, Shap, Orton, Kirkby Stephen, Keld