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
The logical path taken to cover the places in the trip was good.
The trip should include more time in London, Scotland and York and not in Cambridge or Durham. Everything was closed in Durham by the time we reached and we could hardly see anything. Also the hotel room provided in Durham was not at all up to the mark.
Also, our family of 3 adults have travelled together and the rooms provided everywhere were double rooms converted to three-bed. There was no space to move around. Instead we should have been provided with one double room and one single room.
The guide was Spanish and was just able to speak in English. At times we found it difficult to follow him due to his strong accent.
From vibrant London to dramatic landscapes and the quintessentially English villages of the Cotswolds, experience the best of the countryside of England. Take in the famous sights of London, and explore the rugged coastline that’s inspired poets, writers, and filmmakers in Cornwall. Explore the stark landscape of Dartmoor, spending two nights in a neo-Elizabethan manor house, and soak in the idyllic scenery of the Cotswolds. Encounter history, eat like the locals, and discover what English life is like on a journey from the capital to the southwestern coast of England and the Cotswolds.