15-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)

   The first day sets the pattern for the Lakes: a coast start and a hill at the end. After the cliffs of St Bees Head the farmland miles are easy, so keep something for Dent late in the afternoon. On this plan there is no reason to push past Ennerdale Bridge; the next two days are the ones that want 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, and one of the longer ones on this plan. The lake shore and the forest track up Ennerdale are easy but long; 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 tomorrow is 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)

   This is the night that makes fifteen days gentler in the Lakes. 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 nights at weekends are hard to find.

   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, and the long Grisedale valley takes you down to Ullswater. Experienced walkers sometimes add St Sunday Crag or Helvellyn in good weather, but on this plan the point of the day is to reach Patterdale rested for Kidsty Pike tomorrow.

   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; the official route calls it one of the most challenging 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. In poor weather the tops are no place to linger.

   Example stay Kings Arms Hotel

6. Day 6 Longest

   Shap to Kirkby Stephen

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

   The longest day on this plan, but easy ground after the Lakes. The limestone plateau is open and well walked, past glacial boulders, Sunbiggin Tarn and Smardale Bridge. Orton, a short detour off the route, is the lunch stop and the only village on the way. If you would rather sleep there, the 16-day plan does exactly that.

   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 to spare the peat, and in low cloud or heavy rain the road route is the sensible choice. Keld is a hamlet with very few beds, which makes it the first night to book on this plan.

   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)

   Swaledale gives you a choice. The high route crosses old lead-mining moor past ruined smelt mills; the low route follows the river through Muker and Gunnerside, with a pub on the way. Both end in Reeth. On tired legs or in poor weather take the low route; the high one is the more remote of the two.

   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, and the closest this plan comes to a rest day. Farmland past Marrick Priory and Marske leads into Richmond, the largest town on the route, with a castle, a cobbled market square and shops. It is the place to restock and post things home. Most shops close on Sunday, so plan around it.

   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 sets this plan apart from the faster ones. 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 keeps the official A19 diversion out of one very long day.

    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 with the climbing left for tomorrow.

    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, where the walking ends, 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

    Great Broughton to Blakey Ridge

    4–5 h 10.2 mi (16.4 km) ↑ 390 m (1,300 ft) ↓ 390 m (1,300 ft)

    The short day this plan adds on the moors. A steep climb from Clay Bank Top reaches Round Hill on Urra Moor, then the old Rosedale railway bed runs level to the Lion Inn. Blakey Ridge is one building on an open ridge: book it early, and in bad weather expect the trackbed to feel bleak and exposed.

    Example stay The Lion Inn (opens in a new tab)

14. Day 14

    Blakey Ridge to Egton Bridge

    4–5 h 11.3 mi (18.3 km) ↑ 180 m (600 ft) ↓ 530 m (1,750 ft)

    Mostly downhill, from the moor road past the Fat Betty cross to Glaisdale and the wooded Esk valley. There is nothing between the Lion Inn and Glaisdale, so carry what you need. Beggar's Bridge and the riverside woods lead to Egton Bridge, a quiet village with two pubs and stepping stones across the river.

    Example stay Horseshoe Hotel (opens in a new tab)

15. Day 15

    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 one of the fuller ones: 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 15 walking days . Their 15-day list uses these nights. Distances on this page are from our line, not their mile table.

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