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North of England

Coast to Coast – 16 Nights

April, May, June, August, September, October$2499 pp

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Coast to Coast – 16 Nights

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About this Adventure

Walk Wainwright’s Coast to Coast from St Bees to Robins Hood’s Bay in 16 days through three stunning National Parks. Starting beneath the red sandstone sea cliffs of St Bees, you begin a truly spectacular walk traversing the Lake District National Park, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, finishing on the beach of Robin Hood’s Bay.

Quick Facts

  • 16 nights’ accommodation
  • 16 days’ walking
  • Luggage transfers each walking day
  • Map and guide book plus detailed directions to your accommodation from the trail
  • Expert local knowledge and 24 hour emergency assistance during your trip
  • 192.2 miles (309.3km) and 6,077m (19,933ft) of ascent
  • Walk Wainwright’s Coast to Coast
  • Traverse three unique and stunning National Parks
  • Admire views of beautiful lakes and dramatic mountains in the Lake District
  • Enjoy the limestone scenery and fascinating flora and fauna in the Yorkshire Dales
  • Explore the purple heather-clad moors and quiet dales of the North York Moors

About & Details

The Coast to Coast is one of the most magnificent walks you could find anywhere. It covers 192 miles from St. Bees on the Cumbrian coast to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. Fully two thirds of the route is inside the National Parks of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors. This 16-night itinerary is an ideal span for this trip; it allows comfortable walking distances and leaves you to really enjoy this truly memorable long distance footpath.

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.

The experiences on this walk are too many to list, but highlights include the following. In the Lake District, you’ll visit four of the finest lakes: Ennerdale, Grasmere, Ullswater and Haweswater, plus the valleys of Borrowdale and Patterdale and the fine peaks of Helm Crag and Kidsty Pike. The limestone country of Westmorland offers some of the finest limestone pavements in the country, ancient settlements of Severals and Castle Folds, the Smardale Nature Reserve and the Stainmore Railway. The Yorkshire Dales offers remote moorlands; the strikingly steep, green, and sinuous valley of Swaledale dotted with drystone walls; the fascinating relics of former lead mining works in Gunnerside Gill and Old Gang gill; and the progression of settlements from the remote farmstead of Ravenseat, through Keld and Reeth, to the town of Richmond. After the attractive farmland of the Vale of Mowbray, the North York Moors offer fine views from Beacon Hills, escarpments of Wainstones and Hasty Bank, ancient tracks across remote moorland, old railways and forested glens before arriving at the dramatic cliff-side setting of Robin Hood’s Bay. That’s just a partial list of the riches on offer during this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

We take the stress out of your trip with expert local knowledge, hand-picked accommodation, luggage transfers and detailed support to help you find your way. You will need full walking kit including a waterproof jacket and trousers, a comfortable day sack and comfortable walking boots. You will receive a more detailed kit list upon booking. This trip is based on 2 people sharing, if you are a solo traveller please contact us for further details and we will be happy to help.

Evening meals and lunches

You can purchase evening meals either at the accommodation or nearby. When our event planners send you the schedule with itinerary you could prearrange directly with the accommodation or during the walk.

For lunches we would suggest bringing some of your own favourite snack bars and then asking the accommodation for a packed lunch for the following day and also supplementing that at stops en-route.

Accommodation

Accommodation is generally at B&B, guest houses and small hotels. Once booked in, your event planner will send you a list of your booked accommodation. It is possible to adjust according to preference at this stage so please mention it if you wish to change.

Dog-friendly

If you would like to bring your four legged friend, then we will do our best to source dog friendly accommodation. It is usually possible but if it were not, then we would suggest a change of date to enable it or offer a refund. There may be a small surcharge for the overnight stays. Therefore, once booked in, please alert your event planner that you would like to bring your dog and we can proceed from there.

Getting there and back

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 traveline.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: Robin Hood’s Bay is located on the North East coast of North Yorkshire, near the A171, approximately 1 hour 20 mins from York.

By public transport:
 There is a regular public bus service from Robin Hood’s Bay to Scarborough train station (40 mins).

By air:
 The nearest airports are Manchester (MAN) or Newcastle (NCL). Take a public bus to Scarborough railway station and then a train to Manchester Airport (MAN) or Newcastle (NCL).

Need a guide?

If you would prefer to have a guide for your walk, even just for one day, then we are happy to help. We can provide a qualified leader (also first aid qualified) to lead your trek or on just one of the sections. Just ask us.
A guide can not only take the stress out of navigation, but you will also find them a great asset in terms of providing an insight into all things environment and nature.

At the end of your trip

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point and when you arrive at the end of the trail, you have one of several options. If you have not booked an additional night’s stay then we can transfer your luggage to a location of your choice. From there you may have onward travel arranged as per the ‘Getting There and Back’ tab above.

Some people like to treat themselves to a night’s stay at the end. And why not? You’ve earned it. You can arrange this as an optional add on with your event planner.

After you book

After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive it, it is worth checking your spam/clutter folder.

In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.

Your personal event planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The event planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.

Dates and prices

For available dates please see the ‘build your trip’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.

Inclusions

  • 16 nights’ accommodation in a good quality B&B or hotel with ensuite or private bathroom and breakfast
  • Luggage transfers each walking day (1 x bag per person, max. weight limit 20kg)
  • 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)

Optional extras

  • Single room supplement $90 per person per night (subject to availability)
  • Solo traveler supplement $90 per person per night
  • Odd Group Supplement $90 per group per night may apply if a single room is required
  • Extra bag $20 per person per day
  • Extra night prior to start (single room) $150 per person
  • Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) $110 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (single room) $150 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) $110 per person
  • Add a well-earned rest day in Grasmere, Kirkby Stephen or Richmond $110 per person
  • Transfer back to your car at the end of your walk available upon request

Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.

Trip Extension - Newcastle

United by seven bridges across a spectacular riverscape, Newcastle (a city on the north bank of the River Tyne) and Gateshead (a town on the south bank) form a single, diverse and extremely vibrant visitor destination.

With so many different areas each offering new sights, sounds and experiences, you’ll be amazed at how much is on offer whatever your tastes. World-class culture, vibrant nightlife, award-winning dining, inspiring heritage, fantastic shopping and acclaimed architecture are linked here, as nowhere else, by the famous Geordie spirit.

Football is one of Newcastle and Gateshead’s greatest passions, so it’s no surprise that St. James’ Park is a mecca for soccer fans.  With an atmosphere that is second to none on a match day, with cheers and chants ringing out across the city, a day out at St. James’ Park is a must for any footie lover.

It wouldn’t be a visit to Newcastle without catching a glimpse of the castle to which Newcastle owes its name.  Newcastle Castle and Keep dates back to 1178 and is one of the finest examples of Norman stone in Britain. Hop on a city tour to take you to the Keep and allow you access to its turrets where you can admire magnificent views across the city.

Don’t miss the iconic Angel of the North.  Constructed using weather-resistant steel and standing 20 meters high this legendary Northern giant is said to signify the transition from an industrial to an information age and has long dominated the Gateshead skyline, becoming an awe-inspiring symbol of North East pride and culture.  Why not spoil yourself and combine this with a shopping trip to the ultimate shopping experience at the Metro Centre, Gateshead.

For those who like a tipple, Newcastle is becoming the go-to place for independent brewers with breweries, micro pubs and tap houses.  Head into the city and you’ll find one to just right for you!

Tired feet? Why not hop onto a sightseeing cruise with River Escapes and experience the North’s great cities from the River Tyne.  Sail past renowned landmarks such as the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the Tyne Bridge, the Sage and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art whilst enjoying a relaxing drink.

Whether you’re a history buff, a sports fan or prefer to indulge in a little retail therapy, Newcastle has it all!

Should you want us to arrange this trip or provide a guided service please call us to discuss further.

Rest days

The Coast to Coast walk is a long trek. It is not a bad idea to have a day or two off in the middle to rest the weary legs. A sensible approach, in our view, would be to book one of the shorter itineraries (eg 12 or 13 days) and then include one, two, or even three rest days. They are obviously also nice as sightseeing days.

The places people like to have some more time en-route are Grasmere in the Lake District, the market town of Kirkby Stephen in the Eden Valley and Richmond in Yorkshire.

Complete your walk in stages

If you are UK based, the trip lends itself to splitting into three sections. With Kirkby Stephen and Richmond being the splitting points. Therefore the stages would be:

Stage 1: St Bees to Kirkby Stephen

Stage 2: Kirkby Stephen – Richmond

Stage 3: Richmond – Robin Hood’s Bay

The stages can be split into a varying number of days. Our office is based in Kirkby Stephen and so we can also help you with transport to and from the starting and finishing points.

Please ask us for details if you would like to split your walk.

Kirkby Stephen - our office location!

Sitting a third of the way into the Coast to Coast walk, is the lovely market town of Kirkby Stephen in the Eden Valley, which is also where our office is. As a result, we know the area pretty well! If you are having a rest day here, please do pop in. We will be working away organising events, but it is always nice to put faces to names. Oh, and if you need a top tip for some nice fish and chips, just ask us….

We look forward to seeing you!

Book your trip

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - arrival in St Bees

    Arrive at your accommodation in St Bees.

  • Day 2 - St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

    As is the custom, dip your boots in the Irish Sea, before walking above the impressive cliffs of the St Bees RSPB nature reserve. 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 first hill on the journey, where there are uninterrupted views of the Cumbrian coastline and Ravenglass Estuary. The route then descends to the quiet hamlet of Ennerdale Bridge.

    22.1km (13.7 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 expanse of water overshadowed by towering Lakeland Fells. It then ascends initially through woodland, before passing the isolated Black Sail Youth Hostel where you begin to experience your first real taste of the mountains. Reaching the top of the pass you are surrounded by incredible mountainous views, with Buttermere to the north and Pillar to the south. There then follows a pleasant walk down the side of Fleetwith Pike via Honister slate mines into the valley of Borrowdale and the village of Rosthwaite where you spend the night.

    22.8km (14.2 miles) and 530m (1738ft) of ascent.

  • Day 4 - Rosthwaite to Grasmere

    The route leads you up beside Greenup Gill to the watershed between High Raise and Ullscarf, 608m above sea level, where you have incredible views towards Helvellyn and back over the central fells. You have a choice now as to whether to head down Far Easedale, where you might spot the odd deer or to continue along the tops to Helm Crag before finally descending into the pretty village of Grasmere made famous by Wordsworth and Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread.

    12km (7.5 miles) and 530m (1738ft) of ascent.

  • Day 5 – Grasmere to Patterdale

    Another amazing mountain day awaits you today as you pass through some of the most dramatic mountainous scenery Britain has to offer. Take time on the strenuous ascent up Tongue Gill to stop and admire the wonderful views of Lake Grasmere and the Langdale Pikes before heading over the pass 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 to the village of Patterdale.

    12km (7.5 miles) and 500m (1640ft) of ascent.

  • Day 6 – 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. Ullswater lies to the north and green fields lie peacefully in the valley below. 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 the village of Shap.

    25km (15.5 miles) and 762m (2499ft) of ascent.

  • Day 7 – Shap to Orton

    There is an invigorating sense of freedom as you experience the wide open moorland upon leaving Shap and embark on the next leg of the journey. Spot prehistoric ruins, limestone pavement and moorland birds and take one last look back to enjoy the final sweeping views of the Lakeland Fells. Finally the route drops down into Orton, a quaint Westmorland village where you can treat yourself with a visit to Kennedy’s Chocolate Factory.

    12.6km (7.8 miles) and 110m (361ft) of ascent.

  • Day 8 – Orton to Kirkby Stephen

    The scenery today is softer with gently rolling hills, sheltered valleys and fascinating limestone flora. The highlights are Sunbiggin Tarn, an important site for birds and Smardale Fell, where you get great views down into Scandale Beck and towards the impressive Smardale Viaduct. The day ends in the attractive market town of Kirkby Stephen. Take time to check out the 8th Century Loki stone relating to Norse mythology located in the church yard.

    20.5km (12.7 miles) and 160m (525ft) of ascent.

  • Day 9 – Kirkby Stephen to Keld

    Leaving the hustle of Kirkby Stephen you head into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Arriving at the top of Nine Standards Rigg is a cause for celebration as you have now crossed the watershed of Britain, the point at which water either flows west to the Irish Sea or east to the North Sea. The top is strewn with an array of huge imposing stone cairns and commands far-reaching views over the Pennines. No-one is sure of the origin or purpose of these structures, leaving you to come up with your own theories. The route becomes increasingly gentle as you descend past spectacular waterfalls to the village of Keld, roughly the mid-way point of the Coast to Coast.

    23km (14.3 miles) and 520m (1706ft) of ascent.

  • Day 10 – Keld to Reeth

    Waterfalls and wild flowers make this a particularly special walk. Following the course of the River Swale, there are waterfalls around every corner as the river cuts its way through the creamy limestone cliffs. Dotted along the way are flower-filled meadows and traditional barns. Keep an eye out for evidence of the valley’s industrial heritage. Your destination is Reeth, a delightful village with a variety of tea shops surrounding a village green. The village grew into a thriving settlement in the 18th Century built upon its reputation for hand-knitted woollens and the lead-mining industry.

    19km (11.8 miles) and 130m (426ft) of ascent.

  • Day 11 – Reeth to Richmond

    The River Swale is never far away on this pleasant walk from Reeth to Richmond. Enjoy wooded glades, a 12th Century Benedictine priory at Marrick and two quiet villages as the route makes its way into the historic town of Richmond. Worth a visit is the impressive Norman keep which would have been a formidable fortress standing on a hill surrounded by the river. The name Richmond means ‘strong hill’ and comes from the French riche mont.

    17.5km (10.9 miles) and 340m (1115ft) of ascent.

  • Day 12 – Richmond to Danby Wiske

    With your first views of the Cleveland Hills, you make your way onwards to Brompton on Swale and Catterick Bridge, before finally saying farewell to the River Swale and heading across fields to Danby Wiske. Make time to spot the lovely church in Bolton on Swale and Kilpin Hall which is an excellent example of Jacobian architecture.

    21.5km (13.4 miles) and 110m (361ft) of ascent.

  • Day 13 – Danby Wiske to Osmotherley

    Today’s walk is predominantly through farmland as we approach the North York Moors. Walking on quiet lanes and across fields, there are charming villages and intriguing buildings to stop and admire. The highlight is Mount Grace Priory, England’s most important and best preserved medieval Carthusian Monastery, where monks lived their lives in solitude until the Dissolution in 1539.

    17.3km (10.7 miles) and 185m (607ft) of ascent.

  • Day 14 – Osmotherley to Great Broughton

    From Osmotherley, the route is joined by two other long distance footpaths, the Cleveland Way and the Lyke Wake Walk. Enjoy wonderful walking along a sandstone escarpment via Carleton Bank, the site of a Bronze Age burial mound at Cringle Moor, the Wainstones and Clay Bank finally descending down to our accommodation at the foot of the escarpment. The heather-clad moors and views back across the patchwork of fields make a great contrast to the previous day’s walking.

    21km (13.0 miles) and 600m (1968ft) of ascent.

  • Day 15 – Great Broughton to Blakey Ridge

    The walk today crosses bleak wind-swept moors and follows the route of an old dismantled railway as it winds across the moor following the contours to the Lion Inn on the top of Blakey Ridge, a welcome pub located miles from anywhere. The wild expanses are uplifting and atmospheric with the curlews and sheep for company.

    18km (11.2 miles) and 300m (984ft) of ascent.

  • Day 16 – Blakey Ridge to Egton Bridge

    Today’s walk gives our first glimpse of the North Sea – a welcome sight. We stay up high on the Moors, before descending into Eskdale and walking through beautiful woodland to the picturesque village of Egton Bridge.

    19km (11.8 miles) and 270m (886ft) of ascent.

  • Day 17 – Egton Bridge to Robin Hood’s Bay

    What a walk to finish the Coast to Coast. We walk through wooded valleys beside the River Esk and past the famous North York Moors Railway in Grosmont before arriving at the sea. We’re not quite there yet as there is still a short walk along the cliffs to the finishing point in the village of Robin Hood’s Bay. As you arrive in the village and dip your boots in the surf, you’re filled with a strange mix of emotions. On one hand you feel incredible triumph and sense of achievement at what you have accomplished and on the other a sense of sadness that the walk has come to an end. The trip ends at the end of the walk unless you have booked extra nights or other optional services with us.

    26km (16.2 miles) and 340m (1115ft) of ascent.

    We will always endeavour  to accommodate you in the locations detailed in the above itinerary. Due to very high demand, some accommodation providers may occasionally have limited availability and so we may need to accommodate you in an alternative location, nearby. In this case, we will arrange a taxi transfer for you to take you from the trail to your accommodation and back again the following morning. We will notify you of this when confirming your booking.

    Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. Timings are approximate.

The Route
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Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

  • We are an established adventure travel business
  • We have been trading since 2002
  • We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
  • Knowledgeable and available office staff
  • Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
  • All activities are risk assessed
  • We will provide you with the best service available
  • We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
  • We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years
20+ years adventure organisation experience
Full liability & financial protection
Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges
Great team of staff to support you

Payment Terms

  • Deposit $399 - at point of booking

  • Balance due 10-weeks before departure