Section 4: Patterdale to Shap map
Example stay Kings Arms Hotel
Cross-check: Coast to Coast route description on National Trails . The walk is taken from that page, checked 12 October 2026. Miles on our line are measured between these ends on the imported path. Where a walking guide uses the same two ends, its miles are from walkcoasttocoast.co.uk, also checked 12 October 2026.
The walk
From Patterdale the path crosses Goldrill Beck, climbs to Boredale Hause and Angle Tarn, and runs above Haweswater to Kidsty Pike. It drops by Kidsty Howes to the lake at Band End, follows the western shore to the road below Burn Banks, and continues by the reservoir, Shap Abbey, and field paths to the A6 in Shap. National Trails calls this one of the most challenging sections. On our line it is 15.9 miles (25.6 km), with 1,140 m (about 3,740 ft) of climb. A walking guide measures the same two villages as 15.3 miles (24.6 km) and 1,148 m (about 3,770 ft), and grades the stage very hard.
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Start of section
Patterdale
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Kidsty Pike
The path reaches the pike above Haweswater, then drops to the lake at Band End.
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Shap Abbey
After the reservoir the footpath passes the abbey before the lanes into Shap.
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End of section
Shap
Section 4: Patterdale to Shap overview
The ground
- Open fell, a sharp summit, a lakeside path, then fields and a minor road into Shap.
The highest fell day, then a reservoir shore. Kidsty Pike is the high point of this stretch. National Trails singles the section out as one of the hardest on the trail.
Stops
Refreshments
- The night in Shap on the published plans is the Kings Arms Hotel. The village also has the Lakes & Dales Co-op
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Shap to Patterdale
Walked the other way, you leave Shap for the abbey and Haweswater, climb Kidsty Pike, and finish down into Patterdale.
End of section
Patterdale
Patterdale to Shap FAQ
How hard is Patterdale to Shap?
National Trails calls it one of the most challenging sections. The walking guide grades the same two villages very hard: 15.3 miles (24.6 km) and 1,148 m of climb. Our line is 15.9 miles (25.6 km) and 1,140 m.
Walk this as a day
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