Coast to Coast - Part 1 of 3
North of England
- Duration: 4 nights, 4 days' walking
- Walks and Treks
- Self Guided
- Moderate
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
About this Adventure
Walk the first part of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast from St Bees to Shap through the stunning Lake District. The full itinerary is split into 3 sections, each with 4 days of walking, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of this walk without the pressure of walking 12 days in a row. Starting beneath the red sandstone sea cliffs of St Bees, you begin a truly spectacular walk traversing the Lake District National Park, admiring dramatic views of lakes and mountains and exploring quaint villages along the way
Quick Facts
- 4 nights’ accommodation
- 4 days’ walking
- 58 miles (94km) and 3,082m (10,109ft) of ascent
- Walk the first third of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast from St Bees to Shap
- Dip your boots in the Irish sea and explore the best of the Lakeland Fells
- Admire views of beautiful lakes and dramatic mountains
- Savour Lakeland specialities such as Grasmere Gingerbread
More Information
This series of itineraries splits the walk into 3 parts:
1. St Bees to Shap
2. Shap to Richmond
3. Richmond to Robin Hood’s Bay
Each itinerary is 4 nights, with 4 days of walking, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of this walk without the pressure of walking 12 days in a row.
The route is the creation of legendary fellwalker Alfred Wainwright. After finishing his guides to the Lakeland fells in the 1960s, he set himself the challenge of devising a long-distance walk to rival the Pennine Way, using purely existing rights of way. He decided on a Coast to Coast route, going across the country at one of its widest points. By universal consent, he improved on his model. His route offers variety and contrast: uplands and lowlands, sharp peaks and lonely moorland, towns and country, limestone and granite country, beautiful wooded lakes and remote upland tarns, glorious natural features and fascinating remains of human occupation. An expert on the North of England, he shared his wisdom about some of England’s finest places, linked them up, and invited you to travel in his footsteps.
Getting There
By road: St Bees is located on the Cumbrian coast, approximately 1 hour from junction 40 on the M6. From the M6, take the A66 towards Workington and then follow the A595 south until you see signs to St Bees.
By public transport: There is a regular train service from Carlisle to St Bees station (SBS), which is a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Check travelline.info for the latest public transport information.
By air: The nearest airports are Manchester (MAN) or Newcastle (NCL), from where you need to take a train to St Bees (SBS).
Getting Away
By road: Shap is located on junction 39 of the M6.
By public transport: There is a bus service from Shap to Penrith railway station (PNR) (25mins) or Oxenholme railway station (OXN) (1 hour), which are both on the west coast main line.
By air: Take the public bus service to Penrith train station (PNR), then a train to Manchester Airport (MAN).
Optional Extras
- Solo traveller supplement £45.00 per person per night
- Odd number group supplement £35 per group per night
- Extra night prior to start (single room) £95 per person
- Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £75 per person
- Extra night at the end of the event (single room) £95 per person
- Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £75 per person
- Extra night with rest day in Grasmere £65 per person
- Transfer back to your car at the end of your walk (for up to 3 passengers) £80
Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.
Itinerary
A typical itinerary looks like this:
Day 1 - Check into your accommodation in or around St Bees
Day 2 - St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge: At St Bees as is the custom, dip your boots in the Irish Sea, before walking along the impressive cliffs of the St Bees RSPB nature reserve down to Fleswick Bay. Keep a look out for Kittiwakes and Puffins and a fantastic array of wildflowers. From here the route starts its easterly journey crossing fields to Dent Fell, the start of the Lakeland Fells before descending to the quiet hamlet of Ennerdale Bridge. 22.1km, (14 miles) and 690m (2263ft) of ascent
Day 3 - Ennerdale to Rosthwaite: It’s a stunning walk today. The path begins by hugging the shores of Ennerdale Water, a great quiet expanse of water overshadowed by the first of the Lakeland fells. Ascending up through woodland past the isolated Black Sail Youth Hostel you experience your first real taste of the mountains. Gain a delightful view of Buttermere from the top, before descending via Honsiter slate mines down into the wonderful glaciated valley of Borrowdale to Rosthwaite. 23 km, (14 Miles) and 530m, (1738ft) of ascent
Day 4 - Rosthwaite to Patterdale: Another amazing mountain day awaits you as you pass through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery Britain has to offer. There are two serious ascents today. The first heads up Greenup Gill to the watershed between High Raise and Ullscarf 608m above sea level, before descending back down to the valley near Grasmere. The second ascends Tongue Gill where you can admire the wonderful views of Lake Grasmere and the Langdale Pikes behind you before heading over the top and down to Grisedale Tarn. This little lake, nestled in a glaciated corrie, is the perfect place to pause and appreciate the splendour of the mountains. From here, the route descends beneath Nethermost Pike straight down the valley into Patterdale.
24 km, (15miles) and 1030m, (3378ft) of ascent.
Day 5 - Patterdale to Shap: The last of the Lake District days, the route ascends steeply towards Angle Tarn with outstanding retrospective views of yesterday’s walk, the green fields in the valley below and Ullswater in the distance. From the top of Kidsty Pike, the lowlands come into view as the scenery changes from craggy mountains to limestone dales. Enjoy quiet solitude walking along the shores of Haweswater (a reservoir serving Manchester) before crossing through fields via Shap Abbey, the last abbey to be founded in 1199 and the last to be destroyed in 1540 to Shap. Depart Shap.
The trip ends at the end of the walk unless you have booked extra nights or other optional services with us.
Charity Information
How to take part for Charity
Inclusions
- 4 nights’ accommodation in a good quality B&B or hotel with ensuite or private bathroom and breakfast
- Luggage transfers each walking day
- 58 miles (94km) and 3,082m (10,109ft) of ascent
- Map and guide book plus detailed directions to your accommodation from the trail
- Expert local knowledge and 24 hour emergency assistance during your trip
- Professional event organisation
Exclusions
- Travel to the start and finish points of the trip
- Lunches and evening meals
- Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
- Guiding (please contact us if you would like this trip to be guided)