14-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. After the cliffs of St Bees Head the farmland miles are easy, so save something for Dent late in the day. Ennerdale Bridge is the first village with beds past the hill, and on a fortnight's plan it is the right first night: the next two days are the ones that need fresh legs.

   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 the long forest track up Ennerdale are easy; the work is Loft Beck after Black Sail Hut, then rough ground to Honister. Fill up at Black Sail or the Honister café. Borrowdale is a quiet valley night, and the Grasmere split makes tomorrow short.

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

3. Day 3

   Rosthwaite to Grasmere

   4–5 h 7.5 mi (12.1 km) ↑ 650 m (2,150 ft) ↓ 640 m (2,100 ft)

   Grasmere is the night that keeps this plan's Lakeland days sensible. You cross only Greenup Edge, so the rocky steps beside Lining Crag are walked fresh and you reach Grasmere with the afternoon free. In clear weather the Helm Crag ridge is the better way down. Book Grasmere early: single weekend nights are hard to get.

   Example stay Bridge House Hotel (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   Grasmere to Patterdale

   3–4 h 7.0 mi (11.3 km) ↑ 600 m (1,950 ft) ↓ 500 m (1,650 ft)

   A short pass day before the hardest one. Grisedale Tarn is the only climb, then the long Grisedale valley down to Ullswater. You could add St Sunday Crag or Helvellyn in good weather if you are experienced, but on this plan the job of the day is to reach Patterdale with legs left for Kidsty Pike.

   Example stay Patterdale Hotel

5. Day 5

   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, and one of the most challenging official sections. Kidsty Pike is the high point, then a steep descent and a long, rocky Haweswater shore before farmland into Shap. Start early, carry the day's food and water, and check the forecast before committing to the tops.

   Example stay Kings Arms Hotel

6. Day 6

   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. The limestone plateau runs past glacial boulders, Sunbiggin Tarn and Smardale Bridge, and Orton, a short detour off the route, is the lunch stop. Most operators' 14-day plans sleep in Orton; this one keeps the night for Danby Wiske, where the extra stop shortens a much longer day.

   Example stay The Kings Arms Hotel

7. Day 7

   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 it is the first night to book.

   Example stay Keld Lodge

8. Day 8

   Keld to Reeth

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

   The high route crosses old lead-mining moor past ruined smelt mills; the low route follows the Swale through Muker and Gunnerside, with a pub on the way. Both end in Reeth, a green village with pubs and tea shops. The low route is the gentler and more sheltered choice in poor weather; the high route is the more remote, with little shelter once you are up on the moor.

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

9. Day 9

   Reeth to Richmond

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

   A short, easy day into Richmond, the largest town on the route, with a castle, a cobbled market square and shops. It is the place to restock before the Vale and the moors, where the villages are small and far apart. Most shops close on Sunday, so plan around it if you need anything. Operators suggest Richmond if you want a rest day.

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

10. Day 10

    Richmond to Danby Wiske

    6–7 h 14.1 mi (22.7 km) ↑ 200 m (650 ft) ↓ 300 m (1,000 ft)

    The first half of the Vale of Mowbray, and the night that makes this plan different from the operators' 14 days. Flat fields and lanes along the Swale lead past Brompton-on-Swale to Danby Wiske, the only village with beds in the Vale. Stopping here turns the longest day on the official line into two ordinary ones.

    Example stay Inglenook B&B (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Danby Wiske to Ingleby Cross

    6–7 h 14.8 mi (23.7 km) ↑ 260 m (850 ft) ↓ 150 m (500 ft)

    Lanes and fields across the rest of the Vale, then the official diversion north to the Black Swan Bridge over the A19. Older guides make this day short because they cross the dual carriageway on foot; the official route does not, and neither should you. You finish at the foot of the Cleveland Hills.

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

12. Day 12

    Ingleby Cross to Great Broughton

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

    Short on distance 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 arrange the lift down to Great Broughton, and back up in the morning, when you book.

    Example stay Wainstones Hotel (opens in a new tab)

13. Day 13 Longest

    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 longest day on this plan, across the North York Moors. After the steep climb onto Urra Moor the old railway bed runs level to the Lion Inn, the only stop, then the moor road leads down Glaisdale Rigg to the Esk woods. Fill up at the inn: there is nothing until Glaisdale. The 15-day plan sleeps at Blakey Ridge instead.

    Example stay Horseshoe Hotel (opens in a new tab)

14. Day 14

    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 in the woods 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 14 walking days . Their 14-day list sleeps at Orton; ours moves that night to Danby Wiske. Distances on this page are from our line, not their mile table.

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