12-day Coast to Coast itinerary

1. Day 1

   St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

   7–8 h 14.9 mi (24.0 km) ↑ 1,030 m (3,400 ft) ↓ 930 m (3,050 ft)

   A coast start and a hill at the end: the cliffs of St Bees Head, farmland through Cleator, then Dent and a steep forest descent to Nannycatch Beck. Ennerdale Bridge is the first village with beds past the hill, and most plans stop here. Dent comes late in the day, so take the morning easily.

   Example stay The Shepherds Arms Hotel

2. Day 2

   Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite

   7–8 h 15.2 mi (24.4 km) ↑ 860 m (2,800 ft) ↓ 880 m (2,900 ft)

   The first full fell day. The lake shore and forest track up Ennerdale are long but easy; the work is Loft Beck after Black Sail Hut, then rough ground to Honister. Fill up at Black Sail or the Honister café. Tomorrow is harder, so do not linger. Borrowdale is a quiet valley night.

   Example stay Royal Oak Hotel (opens in a new tab)

3. Day 3

   Rosthwaite to Patterdale

   7–8 h 14.5 mi (23.3 km) ↑ 1,240 m (4,050 ft) ↓ 1,140 m (3,750 ft)

   Both Lakeland passes in one day: Greenup Edge, down to Grasmere for lunch, then Grisedale Tarn and down Grisedale to Ullswater. This is the day the 13-day plan splits at Grasmere. The descent past Lining Crag is rocky steps, so take them slowly, and leave Helvellyn for another trip.

   Example stay Patterdale Hotel

4. Day 4

   Patterdale to Shap

   8–9 h 15.9 mi (25.6 km) ↑ 1,140 m (3,750 ft) ↓ 1,080 m (3,550 ft)

   The hardest day of the walk: Kidsty Pike, the high point, a steep descent and the long rocky Haweswater shore, then farmland into Shap. The official route calls it one of the most challenging sections. Start early, carry the day's food and water, and check the forecast.

   Example stay Kings Arms Hotel

5. Day 5

   Shap to Kirkby Stephen

   8–9 h 19.3 mi (31.1 km) ↑ 610 m (2,000 ft) ↓ 690 m (2,250 ft)

   Long but easy underfoot after the Lakes: the limestone plateau past glacial boulders, Sunbiggin Tarn and Smardale Bridge, with Orton a short detour for lunch. Kirkby Stephen is a market town, the place to restock before the moor. It is long, but easy compared with yesterday, so keep a steady pace.

   Example stay The Kings Arms Hotel

6. Day 6

   Kirkby Stephen to Keld

   5–6 h 11.7 mi (18.8 km) ↑ 630 m (2,050 ft) ↓ 480 m (1,550 ft)

   Nine Standards Rigg is the watershed of England and the boggiest ground on the walk. The route over the top changes with the season, and in low cloud or heavy rain the road route is the sensible choice. Keld has very few beds, so book it first. The Keld to Reeth day after it is short.

   Example stay Keld Lodge

7. Day 7

   Keld to Reeth

   5–6 h 10.9 mi (17.5 km) ↑ 630 m (2,050 ft) ↓ 740 m (2,450 ft)

   Swaledale's choice of routes: old lead-mining moor past ruined smelt mills, or the river through Muker and Gunnerside, with a pub on the way. Both end in Reeth, a green village with pubs and tea shops. A short day; take the high route in good weather.

   Example stay The Kings Arms Hotel (opens in a new tab)

8. Day 8

   Reeth to Richmond

   4–5 h 10.4 mi (16.7 km) ↑ 370 m (1,200 ft) ↓ 430 m (1,400 ft)

   One of the easier sections: the Nun's Steps to Marrick, farmland to Marske, then woods into Richmond, the largest town on the route. A short day before the longest, so arrive early, restock, and rest. Most shops close on Sunday. Tomorrow crosses the whole Vale, so get to bed early.

   Example stay The Fleece Hotel (opens in a new tab)

9. Day 9 Longest

   Richmond to Ingleby Cross

   12–13 h 28.9 mi (46.4 km) ↑ 460 m (1,500 ft) ↓ 450 m (1,500 ft)

   The longest day on this plan, across the whole Vale of Mowbray. The official route goes north to cross the A19 by the Black Swan Bridge, which makes it close to 29 miles on our line; older guides say 23 because they cross the dual carriageway on foot. Do not. Danby Wiske, about halfway, is the only pub and the only beds.

   Example stay The Blue Bell Inn (opens in a new tab)

10. Day 10

    Ingleby Cross to Great Broughton

    4–5 h 9.1 mi (14.6 km) ↑ 740 m (2,450 ft) ↓ 490 m (1,600 ft)

    A short day after the Vale, but busy with climbing: the Cleveland Hills switchback over Carlton Moor, Cringle Moor and the Wainstones, with Lord Stones café partway along. There are no beds at Clay Bank Top, so book the lift down to Great Broughton, and back up in the morning.

    Example stay Wainstones Hotel (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Great Broughton to Egton Bridge

    9–10 h 21.5 mi (34.6 km) ↑ 580 m (1,900 ft) ↓ 920 m (3,000 ft)

    The North York Moors in one go: Urra Moor, the old railway bed to the Lion Inn, then down Glaisdale Rigg and through the Esk woods to Egton Bridge. Mostly level after the first climb. Fill up at the Lion Inn: there is nothing until Glaisdale. The Esk woods make an easy end to a long day.

    Example stay Horseshoe Hotel (opens in a new tab)

12. Day 12

    Egton Bridge to Robin Hood's Bay

    8–9 h 16.7 mi (26.9 km) ↑ 780 m (2,550 ft) ↓ 820 m (2,700 ft)

    The last day is a full one: the estate road to Grosmont and its steam railway, the steep road onto Sleights Moor, Falling Foss by Littlebeck, a last moor, then the cliff path south. Robin Hood's Bay stays hidden until late. Finish on the foreshore and drop the pebble you carried from St Bees.

    Finish Coast to Coast Finish

Cross-check: Mickledore's 12 walking days . Their 12-day list uses these nights, with Ingleby Arncliffe for Ingleby Cross. Distances on this page are from our line, not their mile table.

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