length

16 Days

difficulty

Challenging - Strenuous

trip cost

from $3450 pp

Icons / stylised / time Created with Sketch.

length

16 Days

Icons / stylised / difficulty Created with Sketch.

difficulty

Challenging - Strenuous

Icons / stylised /cost Created with Sketch.

trip cost

from $3450 pp

Nature Immersion

Cultural Interest

Self-Guided Trip

our walk expert

  • Overview
  • Highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions
  • NAVIGATION APP
  • Experience
  • Exclusive Guide
  • Similar walks

Overview

The Swift Walk

This swift walk across England is based on Wainwright’s original Coast to Coast itinerary. The demanding 303km hike takes in some tough high sections of the Lakeland fells, undulating dales and long flat moorland stretches. If you’re looking to challenge your endurance or you’re limited for time, this adventure will maximise your enjoyment while minimising the days required to finish this inspiring journey.

The Coast to Coast Path includes stunning but demanding high routes across the Lake District fells, pleasant undulating hills in the Yorkshire Dales and long flat days through the beautifully barren North York Moors. With the advantage of enjoying pack-free walking, fit well-prepared hikers should find this iconic walk achievable while still being able to appreciate the spectacular and unique characteristics of remote rural England. 

Yellow hiker icon We are Australia’s most trusted company for walking the Coast to Coast Path. We have always booked our arrangements directly and selected the best accommodation.

The Swift Walk - Coast to Coast

Highlights

Get Ready For

  • Complete Wainwright’s entire Coast to Coast path in 14 walking days 
  • Experience the iconic landscapes of England’s highest fells and moors
  • Relish in the simple immeasurable pleasure of walking outdoors in nature 
  • Marvel at mysterious cairns, ancient stone circles and historic markers
  • Enjoy a rest day wandering historic Richmond’s winding cobbled streets 
  • Overnight at the iconic 16th-century Lion Inn on the  remote North York Moors

Itinerary

DAILY DETAILS

Week 1: ST BEES TO KELD
DAY 1: ARRIVE ST BEES

Arrive in St Bees and enjoy a stroll to the seaside to contemplate your upcoming adventure and choose the pebble you’ll carry with you to Robin Hood’s Bay.

DAY 2: ST BEES TO ENNERDALE BRIDGE (22.5KM)

The Coast to Coast Path begins with a spectacular cliff-top walk from the stunning red sandstone of St Bees Head, past pretty Fleswick Bay and St Bees Lighthouse before finally turning inland towards Robin Hood’s Bay.

Follow quiet country lanes and fields past the villages of Sandwith, Moor Row and Cleator and your first challenging climb to Dent Fell. If the weather is clear you can savour the wonderful 360 degree views back over the coastline to the Isle of Man and Scottish coastline. Begin your descent downhill to the wonderfully named Nannycatch Beck and Ennerdale Bridge along with breathtaking glimpses of the incredible Lake District.

If you have time sit, relax and sample locally made ice-cream at ‘The Gather’ – the delightful community owned and run cafe, shop and creative space.

Meals: B

DAY 3: ENNERDALE BRIDGE TO ROSTHWAITE (24KM)

Sometimes it’s hard to describe beauty – you just have to see it with your own eyes. Walking through the stunning Lake District is one of those times. You’ll also understand why Alfred Wainwright dedicated every single night for 13 years to writing his chronicle of guidebooks. As you walk with your guide along the beautiful shores of Ennerdale Water, notice the National Trust rehabilitation project ‘Wild Ennerdale’ dedicated to returning the area to its natural wilderness. Your guide will discuss various route paths but we recommend the route over Haystacks to Innominate Tarn, Wainwright’s favourite fell and final resting place. This is also a great place for your guide to discuss some basic navigation and information on how to keep safe on the fells, something we take seriously because sign-posting along the trail is quite poor.

Meals: B

DAY 4: ROSTHWAITE TO PATTERDALE (28KM)

A tough day begins with an easy walk beside Stonethwaite Beck, which keeps you company until you begin your first soggy scramble up Greenup Gill. From the top there are stunning views back over Borrowdale and down towards Easdale valley where you have a choice of paths.

The easier and recommended path, especially for inclement weather, descends into the valley and follows the line of Easdale Gill with spectacular craggy mountain scenery all the way to Grasmere. After you leave Grasmere you’ll climb to Tongue Gill waterfall, which is perfect for picnicking and photo opportunities. After another short climb you’ll reach the head of Grisedale Tarn where you have the choice of three possible routes.

If the weather is fine the ridge walk along St Sunday Crag is highly recommended; some say it has the best views of the entire Coast to Coast. The most challenging route is to the summit of Helvellyn and Striding Edge – so called because of its precipitous drop. This option is not a RAW Travel recommended route. The official Coast to Coast Path, and best poor weather option is to continue down the Grisedale valley path into Patterdale and the shores of the beautiful Ullswater Lake.

Meals: B

DAY 5: PATTERDALE TO SHAP (25KM)

Today the trail leaves the Lake District with a steady climb from Patterdale. There are lovely views back over Ullswater and the beautiful Lakeland mountains. You’ll pass pretty Angle Tarn as you climb steadily upwards towards Kidsty Pike, the highest point of the Coast to Coast at 780m. From here, begin your steep descent to the still shores of Haweswater, all the while looking for endangered shy red squirrels.

Pass the tiny village of Burnbanks where, just over the stile, there usually sits an ‘honesty box’ with chocolates and drinks for thirsty Coast to Coasters. The trail flattens and criss-crosses pretty becks and fields as it moves past the 12th-century Shap Abbey and the River Lowther before entering the village where you can pick up stores from the small supermarket.

Meals: B

DAY 6: SHAP TO KIRKBY STEPHEN (34KM)

Enjoy the changes of scenery as the path embraces wide open moorland with big skies, limestone escarpments, lush pastures and scattered farmhouses. The limestone plateau east of Shap has yielded many archaeological finds with some dating back 2000 to 9000 years. Early on, the path is relatively flat and easy going except for a few small boggy bits which can be easily skirted.

The quaint village of Orton has many historical buildings and Kennedy’s Fine Chocolate shop is always welcome if you have a sweet tooth or need a chocolatey refreshment. The path follows easier gradients with glimpses of a prehistoric past through wild moorlands to enter one of the least populated areas of England. These now lonely places were once busy with human life and hold the dramatic remains of Victorian rail engineering.

You’ll pass by Sunbiggin Tarn with its resident birdlife before dropping into the Lune Valley and Smardale Bridge where you should look out for the ‘pillow mounds’ – prehistoric sites whose purpose remains unclear. After walking up Smardale Fell you descend to the welcome sight of the lovely market town of Kirkby Stephen.

Meals: B

DAY 7: KIRKBY STEPHEN TO KELD (21KM)

An eventful day crossing the beautiful Pennine Hill mountain range from county Cumbria into Yorkshire. At the summit you pass the mysterious 800-year-old Nine Standards, which for many are a highlight of the walk. The origins of these enormous cairns remain unknown; however, they do mark the invisible divide that dictates whether water flows west into the Irish Sea or east into the North Sea. Three seasonal walking routes have been introduced to help protect the delicate moorland biodiversity from thousands of walking boots. Unfortunately ‘delicate biodiversity’ also means peat bog, lots of it. It’s almost impossible to avoid, so strap on your gaiters if you have them, keep to the paths as much as possible and soak up the gorgeous Swaledale scenery on your downhill trek to Keld.

Meals: B

Week 2: Keld to Robin Hood's Bay
DAY 8: KELD TO REETH (18.5KM)

Keld has many waterfalls and old stone barns and is now a tiny hill village but in the mid 19th century it was the heart of a thriving lead mining industry. Today’s walk passes through the remains and legacy of those boom times. You’ll notice the area littered with mining ruins and in some parts, the ground has been stripped away completely to leave a scarred and desolate landscape.

There is a choice of routes and in poor weather the lower level walk via Swaledale is a pretty alternative to the high route via the mines. There is also a good village pub in Gunnerside on this lower route and a well worthwhile 10-minute detour for morning tea at Muker. The walk finishes in Reeth with an excellent variety of pubs and tea shops to enjoy plus a fine village green to sit out and enjoy.

Meals: B

DAY 9: REETH TO RICHMOND (17KM)

Today you’ll understand why the Yorkshire Dales is such a much-loved walking destination. After leaving Reeth, the River Swale meanders reassuringly beside you providing company as you stride out on wide easy pathways to Marrick Priory. This once Benedictine nunnery, now an outdoor education centre, was in use from 1140 to 1160 and is considered one of the best preserved in the UK. From here the path follows the Nun’s Steps through gorgeous woodland and lush farmland to charming Marske where wildflowers seem to peek from every village garden.

On your way to Richmond also note the changing geology as you pass by some of the limestone cliffs for which the Yorkshire Dales is famous.

Meals: B

DAY 10: REST DAY - RICHMOND

Discover Richmond’s winding streets, cobbled market place and Norman castle. Read a book, relax with a massage or shop for artisan gifts and local produce such as cheese, honey and fudge at ‘The Station’, the town’s former railway station. There’s also ‘The Noted Pie Shop’ in the market square, which comes highly recommended by the Coast to Coast team at RAW Travel and the British Pie Association – don’t miss it!

Meals: B

DAY 11: RICHMOND TO INGLEBY CROSS (36KM)

The River Swale is your companion again as you leave Richmond for the flat agricultural fields of the Vale of Mowbray. There’s a pretty church at Bolton-on-Swale where you can buy refreshments.

Walk along quiet country lanes and fertile pastured fields to the lowest point of the trail at Danby Wiske where the Cleveland hills beckon in the distance. From tiny Danby Wiske enjoy a relaxing pace while absorbing the sights and sounds of rural England before treating yourself to coffee and cake at the Joiners Shop Cafe in the idyllic village of Ingleby Arncliffe.

Meals: B

DAY 12: INGLEBY CROSS TO BLAKEY RIDGE (34KM)

You may find today’s section the toughest as the Coast to Coast Path climbs steadily through Arncliffe Wood to the stunning expanses of the North York Moors.

If you’re walking in late summer you’ll be treated to a beautiful carpet of purple heather. Watch out for shy grouse who live among the moorland. There’s a long ascent to Live Moor and Carlton Bank but the scenery is so lovely you’ll barely notice. Break your journey at the delightful Lord Stones Café, a local landmark specialising in locally sourced produce. After a succession of hilly climbs take in the wonderful views back over the Pennines and before you to the North Sea.

Begin your steep descent to Kirby Bank before climbing again to the giant Wain Stones with views to Roseberry Topping. Emerge at last from the rollercoaster of hills to follow the former Rosedale ironstone railway through the heathland wilderness to High Blakey Moor and the much-awaited Lion Inn.

Meals: B

DAY 13: BLAKEY RIDGE TO GROSMONT (22KM)

From high on Blakey Ridge take in the surrounds as you stroll down the Esk Valley past the medieval stone markers of Young Ralph and Fat Betty. There are numerous myths and legends around Fat Betty including that the cross marks the place where two nuns from nearby Rosedale Abbey lost their lives on the misty moors. As you head towards Glaisdale Moor and the village of Egton Bridge and Grosmont, the wide unenclosed vista inspires you to stride out with an unbound sense of freedom and adventure.

Meals: B

DAY 14: WALK GROSMONT to ROBIN HOOD’S BAY (25KM)

One of the best last days of any walk! Before you begin your climb out of Grosmont look out for steam trains at the vibrant village station. You can catch glimpses of Whitby Abbey in the distance.

If your steps start getting slower as you move towards Robin Hood’s Bay, we completely understand – you won’t want this special walk to end. There’s so much to enjoy on your final walking day, including captivating moorlands and pretty Little Beck Woods.

Enjoy morning tea or lunch at the delightful Falling Foss Tea Gardens before, finally, meeting the North Sea and stunning cliff-top views as you walk the last few kilometres and head straight to Robin Hood’s Bay and Wainwright’s Bar to celebrate your achievement.

Meals: B

Week 3: ROBIN HOOD’S BAY
DAY 15: FREE DAY IN ROBIN HOOD’S BAY

A day to relax and enjoy your achievement of completing the Coast to Coast walk. Explore this charming little town, maybe the coastal cinder track or just relax in the local pub and swop stories with fellow walkers!

Meals: B

 

 

DAY 16: DEPART ROBIN HOOD’S BAY

After a leisurely breakfast, you can check-out any time before 10am.

Meals: B

Inclusions

What's Included?

Included
  • Hassle-free hiking with exclusive use of RAW Travel’s specifically designed Coast to Coast navigational hiking app
  • One full day walking the Lake District fells with your own private mountain guide
  • 15 nights’ accommodation in character-filled warm country inns and B&Bs – hand-selected by our team
  • Fresh fruits, yoghurts, cereals or a big hearty English breakfast to support your day on the trail
  • Pack-free walking with daily luggage transfers to your accommodation (20kg per person)
  • Coast to Coast guidebook
  • Pre-trip consultation with our specialist Coast to Coast team who all know and love the trail
  • Carbon offset for your trip and a native tree planted for every walker
Excluded
  • Single supplement $1000
  • Travel insurance
  • Flights
RAW Travel App

NAVIGATION APP

FINDING YOUR WAY

Our unique RAW Travel walking app has been designed to help you navigate easily on the Coast to Coast Path. Simply download your map with the unique link we send you and you’ll be able to follow your route with ease, showing your location in real-time without any internet connection needed or cumbersome pages of notes. The app has many great features: it shows the location of each night’s accommodation, weather forecasts localised for your overnight stops, plus important reminders, safety information, videos and emergency contact details. It also has a unique audio feature that can tell you about places and points of interest as you approach them on the trail.

Experience

The raw travel difference

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FLEXIBLE, TAILORED TRIPS

RAW Travel offers an unmatched level of flexibility to deliver the trip you want. We listen to you and tailor your trip to fit the timeframe and distances you prefer. We know from experience this incredible walk is an adventure that works best if it's adapted to your ability. Let's work together to create your perfect Coast to Coast walk!

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DAY WITH A MOUNTAIN GUIDE

A unique feature of our walk is the day you spend hiking with our experienced Lake District mountain guide. Your 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.

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PACK-FREE & ON-TRAIL NAVIGATION

You will have daily luggage transfers so you can walk with just a daypack. Our proprietary app for navigation shows you where you are on the trail in real-time and includes emergency contacts. This leaves you free to focus on enjoying your walk, knowing your luggage will be waiting for you each night and you can walk safely and confidently.

Raw Travel

COSY INNS & COUNTRY COTTAGES

Walking the Coast to Coast path with us means staying in lovely English guesthouses and historic pubs that provide a warm welcome and good comfort at the end of your walking day. The accommodation is an enjoyable part of this trip and we have chosen places with quintessential English character.

Coast-to-Coast-Path-Destination-Guide-Cover

Exclusive Guide

get inspired

Wainwright’s iconic Coast to Coast Path passes through glorious scenery in three of England’s best national parks – the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. There are countless small villages, majestic views and warm, welcoming pubs to break your journey. Find out all you need to know in our free Destination Guide bursting with inspiration, travel essentials, practical information and more!

Download Now

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TRIP date selection

when would you like to travel?

Please select your preferred dates for on-demand trips or select a scheduled date for group departures. If you have booked a self-guided trip please understand that because your trip date is on demand and we must check availability of all properties on your chosen dates before it can be fully confirmed

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