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Highlights
Enjoy a self-guided walk of the stunning mountainous part of the Northern England
Explore three National parks – The Lake District, The Yorkshire Dales and The North Yorkshire Moors
Observe a beautiful mix of valleys, plains, mountains, dales and moors
A touch of history by visiting St Bees Lighthouse, Honister Slate Mine, Lake District Stone Walls and Barns, Dove Cottage (Grasmere), Ullswater Steam Ferry, Shap Abbey and more
Walk the famous trail on your own pace with your logistics being taken care for you.
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk is by far the most popular long-distance trail in Britain, and one of the world’s great walks.
The Coast to Coast Walk goes from the Irish Sea at St.Bees Head, it winds its way across Northern England, 190 miles or so, to the North Sea shoreline at Robin Hood’s Bay. On the way it passes through three National Parks: The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
This 8-day self-guided tour takes you on the western section of the Coast to Coast walk, through the spectacular Lake District.
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk is by far the most popular long-distance trail in Britain, and one of the world’s great walks.
The Coast to Coast Walk goes from the Irish Sea at St.Bees Head, it winds its way across Northern England, 190 miles or so, to the North Sea shoreline at Robin Hood’s Bay. On the way it passes through three National Parks: The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
This 8-day self-guided tour takes you on the western section of the Coast to Coast walk, through the spectacular Lake District.
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Coast to Coast Path from St Bees to Kirkby Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in St. Bees
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in St. Bees
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 St Bees to Ennerdale
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Ennerdale
Distance: 23km, 645m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Ennerdale to Rosthwaite
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).
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Rosthwaite
Distance: 23km, 1028m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Rosthwaite to Grasmere
A shorter stage on the Coast to Coast 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Grasmere
Distance: 15km, 547m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Grasmere to Patterdale
All walkers 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Patterdale
Distance: 14-17km, 541m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Patterdale to Shap
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 where there are 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 V111 in 1540 and since then it has served as a memory of a bygone era. A short distance to the village of Shap.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Shap
Distance: 27km, 900m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Shap to Kirkby Stephen
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. Continue through open countryside with occasional villages, remote houses and secluded farms – and a wide panorama towards the distinctive Howgills and the distant Pennines (tomorrow’s challenge!). Pass Smardale Bridge, a stunning piece of Victorian architecture from a long-gone railway. Then it’s on into the small yet lively town of Kirkby Stephen, with its welcoming pubs, cafes and restaurants, in the heart of the lovely Eden Valley.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Kirkby Stephen
Distance: 33km, 452m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure
Your tour finishes after breakfast at the accommodation.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures The departures are available daily, from April 1st to October 20th. All the prices below are per person.
- Single room: GBP1017
- Sharing a double room: GBP806
Accommodation on Coast to Coast Path from St Bees to Kirkby
There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, lodges, pubs and small hotels. They are run by cycling-friendly hosts offering en-suite or private facility rooms with a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the day ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible.
What’s Included in the Coast to Coast Path from St Bees to Kirkby Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers for your luggage; however, you are in charge of any personal transfers needed.
Also Included
- Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
- Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
- Pre-planned route
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Guide services
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel
- Airport transfers
- Parking in Kirkby Stephen (if needed) and transfer to Trailhead
Optional Extras
- Single occupancy upgrades
- How hard is the Coast to Coast Path from St Bees to Kirkby Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to England?
- Are meals included on the Coast to Coast Path from St Bees to Kirkby Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to St. Bees to start this tour?
- Where does the Coast to Coast Path from St Bees to Kirkby Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to England?
- Are there any travel restrictions for England?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. The walks are mostly unsurfaced tracks, footpaths, mountain trails and some tarmac roads. Some days are quite challenging.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
You can get to St.Bees via train, you can use the main line from any of the airports. Most customers travel to Manchester airport then take the train to St.Bees by changing at South Lakes or Carlisle.
The alternative is to travel via car to Kirkby Stephen and use the car parking available. You will then stay overnight in Kirkby Stephen rather than St. Bees. A transfer will then leave the following morning to take you to the start of the route.
When you reach Robin Hoods Bay, you can take a taxi or a bus to nearby Scarborough to access the trainline. If you have parked in Kirkby Stephen, there is a transfer provided every afternoon to return you to your car.
This tour ends in Kirkby Stephen.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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