Coast to Coast

The Coast to Coast Path (309km) is one of the world’s most loved and best long-distance walks. Devised by the late Alfred Wainwright in 1972, it extends from the west coast of Cumbria to the east Coast of Yorkshire. It takes walkers across the breadth of Northern England through three of the country’s most dramatic national parks – the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors – linking back roads, rights-of-way and ancient footpaths. The joy of the Coast to Coast is in the rhythm of the landscape as you move from villages to remote, stark mountaintops, and back down to villages again. With each descent the villages have slightly different cultures, and are often many, many miles apart by road. The quality and variety of this much-loved walk continues to inspire walkers in ever-growing numbers.

May to September are the most popular times to walk the Coast to Coast Path. These months are often the busiest with walkers, so it’s essential to book your trip well ahead of your intended departure date. Mid to late-August and early September are the best times to see heather on the moors. Once you are into summer, the days can be gloriously long with plenty of daylight from 5am to 10pm to complete each day’s walk at a leisurely pace. July and August get very busy in the main Lakeland towns though not necessarily for the rest of the walk. The walk can also be undertaken in April and October but you will have fewer daylight hours and cooler temperatures.

The total distance of the Coast to Coast Path is 309km. It takes around 20 days to complete the walk (16 days of walking, plus a rest day and arrival and departure days). Some walking days can be adapted to suit your timeframe and ability.

Download a PDF of the elevation profile showing the the ascents and descents of the Coast to Coast Path.

The Coast to Coast Path is a challenging to strenuous walk that is best suited to active walkers. It is an amazingly varied route and no two days are the same. In many parts it’s nice and easy going; however, you should not underestimate it. There are some difficult bits, especially in the Lake District. And if the weather is bad it can be very challenging. To do it successfully you will need to be fit, have good walking boots and be competent with a map. Our Lake District guide can help teach you the basics.

Most people complete the Coast to Coast Path in its entirety (309km). Our trips break down the route into 16 manageable sections and include rest days. The route can be walked in either direction but most walkers travel west to east to keep the prevailing winds behind them.

Daily distances on the Coast to Coast Path range from 13km to 28km. You can expect 7+ hours of walking on the longer days. Our navigation app will help you find your way easily on the trail but as an essential backup, you should be comfortable using a guidebook and/or map. The path can be walked in either direction but most walkers travel west to east to keep the prevailing winds behind them. Our Lake District guide will provide you with local knowledge, insights and basic navigational skills to give you the confidence to fully enjoy your Coast to Coast walk.

The Coast to Coast Path starts at St Bees (Cumbria) on the Irish Sea and finishes at Robin Hood’s Bay (Yorkshire) on the North Sea.

There are plenty of historic landmarks on the Coast to Coast Path, including the Haystacks, one of Alfred Wainwright’s favourite Lake District peaks and where his ashes are scattered; Kirkby Stephen and the larger market town of Richmond, famous for its Norman castle dating back to 1086; the mysterious Nine Standards Rigg, which marks the boundary between Cumbria and North Yorkshire in the Pennine Hills; and Fat Betty, a medieval stone marker on Danby High Moor in the North York Moors. There are also dozens of literary connections, from Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter and the Brontë sisters. Other highlights include Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum, Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread Shop, Kennedy’s Fine Chocolates and Richmond Castle.

Yes. On our fully guided tour you’ll be accompanied by a qualified mountain guide.

A unique feature of all our Coast to Coast walks is the support our walkers receive from an experienced mountain guide. Whether you are walking self-guided or with a group on our guided tour you will be provided with local knowledge, insights and assistance to give you the confidence to fully enjoy your Coast to Coast walk. If you are in a guided group you’re able to share the experience with other like-minded walkers, and help each other hop over muddy bogs and streams of water. You’ll also have instant drinking/dining companions if you end your day at a local pub (which your guide can recommend).

Along the Coast to Coast Path there are welcoming B&Bs and traditional cosy hotels and pubs where you can enjoy the lively company and camaraderie of local characters and other Coast to Coasters. With older historic buildings, rooms are usually small but adequate, and there may be a public area for sitting/dining. Many accommodations in the UK no longer have baths; you’re more likely to have an ensuite shower room.

You do not need a special permit to walk the Coast to Coast Path.

Lookout for red squirrels, rabbits, deer, otters, golden eagles and kestrels, plus you’ll likely encounter sheep and other livestock.

We take care of all the logistics and pre-book lovely English guesthouses and historic pubs for you. We hand-select places with quintessential English character.

Most towns and villages en route have cafes, good restaurants and cosy pubs with great ambience. British food is of a surprisingly good standard and you’ll usually find a good selection of well- priced meals on offer. On this walk we include legendary full cooked English breakfasts: rashers of bacon, fried eggs, a slice of fried bread, mushrooms, tomatoes, sausages, possibly, a slice of black pudding, plus toast, coffee, marmalade, jam and honey. A hearty breakfast is a great way to start a long day of walking.