Coast to Coast Walk Beggars Bridge

Coast to Coast Walk Guided Walking Holiday

The Coast to Coast walk is a 190 mile route crossing the North of England. The route was devised by renowned walker and writer Alfred Wainwright and has become one of the most inspiring long distance walks in the world.

Our Coast to Coast guided tours are group walking holidays with a guide. You walk from west to east through stunning scenery, crossing the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks. Typically you travel to the village of St Bees on the Cumbria coast, meet your guide and fellow walkers in the evening, and overnight ready to start your walk the following morning.

The route follows the coastline before heading east and entering the Lake District National Park. The Lake District is home to spectacular lake and mountain scenery. Although not high the mountains are rugged with steep footpaths. From Shap the Coast to Coast route levels to cross the undulating farmland between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, where the high ground returns but with less exerting ascents. At Richmond you leave the Dales and walk across the low lying Vale of Mowbray to Ingleby Cross and the beginning of the North York Moors. From here the trail leads you on a roller coaster ride across the heather covered hills to the North Sea and Robin Hoods Bay.

Each night on the trail you stay in a different village along the route in selected accommodation, with full English breakfast provided. Your luggage is transferred to your next accommodation. The minibus service will also transfer you with your luggage if you want to take a day off from walking. The minibus service is also available to non walking family and friends who would like to see the countryside and villages but prefer not to walk. Coast to Coast Walk Badge

The terrain on this trail is a diversity of rocky mountain paths, limestone plateau’s, country lanes, rolling hillsides and farmland. If you are contemplating the Coast to Coast walk and would like to gain a better idea of its landscapes and terrain please click on Coast to Coast photo diary. The wonderful diary was put together by Brian and Gail who walked the route with us in May 2005.

This is a challenging route in parts, the valleys through the middle section, and the arable land in the eastern section make for straightforward walking, but the hills of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors are rugged and gradients can be steep, so before you embark on this walk you must be physically fit, and equipped to meet it.


2010 holidays

Tour start dates

  • 17th April 2010 - 1st May 2010 - 2 places available - double occupancy

  • 1st May 2010 - 15th May 2010 - 2 places available - twin/single share occupancy

  • 13th May 2010 - 27th May 2010 - 1 place available

  • 5th June 2010 - 19th June 2010 - Fully booked

  • 3rd July 2010 - 17th July 2010 - Fully booked

  • 31st July 2010 - 14th August 2010 - Fully booked

  • 21st August 2010 - 4th September 2010 - 2 places available - double occupancy

  • 4th September 2010 - 18th September 2010 - Fully booked

  • 18th September 2010 - 2nd October 2010 - Fully booked

Also available on request from April to October for private group bookings. Please contact us for availability and a price.

To book your holiday please click here.

Duration of tour
15 days (14 nights)

Total distance
190 miles

Price
Price £995 per person
Prices include

  • Selected accommodation including breakfast.

  • Experienced Coast to Coast walk guide.

  • Luggage transfer between overnight accommodation.

  • Accommodation to accommodation transfer if required.

Grade of walking
This is a challenging route most days are either classed as strenuous or long moderate. The terrain varies from undulating countryside to steep rocky ascents and descents.

Start of tour
St Bees, Cumbria.

End of tour
Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire.

Group size
Maximum 12 people.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in selected comfortable B&B’s, Guest Houses, Hotels and Inns. Nearly all rooms are en-suite or have a private bathroom.

Extra nights accommodation
Additional nights accommodation can be booked on request for anyone wishing to arrive in St Bees or depart Robin Hoods Bay a day or two earlier/later. Price from £38 per person per night.

Meals
A full English breakfast is included. Packed lunches can be purchased from your overnight accommodation or from local convenience stores. Evening meals can be purchased in pubs and overnight accommodation when a pub is not available.

Your Guide
Your experienced Guide will provide daily information about the route, and guide the way. Your Guide will provide information about your accommodation and places to eat in the evening, etc. Your Guide is emergency first aid trained.

Luggage transfer
For the duration of the walk your luggage is transferred between overnight accommodation so all you need to carry is a day rucksack and its contents.

Support vehicle
We hope that everyone who joins us on the Coast to Coast route will complete their challenge, however illness and injury sometimes occur. For this reason we are supported by a daily transport service, which can drive you from accommodation to accommodation if required. This service is provided free of charge.

Travel
For information on travelling to and from the route please click here

Dossier
For further information about the route please click here.


Outline Itinerary

Day 1 St Bees:
Arrive at your accommodation in St. Bees. Meet your guide and walking companions at the welcome meeting in the evening.


Day 2: St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge. Distance 14 miles
Following Coast to Coast walker tradition we go down to the beach to dip our boots into the sea. Initially our route heads north across the cliff tops, on a clear day you can see Scotland and the Isle of Man. The path heads in land and the landscape changes as we enter the Lake District National Park.


Day 3: Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite. Distance 14 miles
The day starts along the banks of Ennerdale water. After joining a forest track the path climbs gradually through the trees to the bottom of Loft Beck, and a steep 300M ascent to our high point of the day at 600M. If the weather is clear there are wonderful views back to the sea. After crossing the fell we descend into Rosthwaite.


Day 4: Rosthwaite to Grasmere. Distance 10 miles
Although not a long day it is a strenuous but gradual walk to the top of Greenup Edge at 600M. We cross the high pass before descending into Easedale, and then arriving in the picturesque village of Grasmere; once home to the poet Wordsworth.


Day 5: Grasmere to Patterdale Valley. Distance 8 miles
A lunch time start today to allow you more time to explore Grasmere. The path rises gradually before a final steep ascent to Grisedale Tarn at 550M. The tarn sits in a dip between two of Lakeland’s highest peaks; Fairfield 873M and Dollywaggon 858M. From the tarn it is all down hill into Patterdale/Glenridding.


Day 6: Patterdale Valley to Shap. Distance 17 miles
There is a sharp steep walk to Boredale Hause at 400M from here the path rises, with the odd undulation to the summit of Kidsty Pike 780M. This is the highest point on the Coast to Coast route. Look back to take one last look at the serrated mountain skyline of the Lake District. From here the path descends steeply to Haweswater, and on to Shap.


Day 7: Shap to Kirkby Stephen. Distance 20 miles
A long day but less strenuous walking as we leave the Lake District Mountains behind and cross the limestone plateau and heather clad moors. The trail crosses undulating farmland, passing the fabled Robin Hoods grave and the ancient ‘Giants Graves’.


Day 8: Kirkby Stephen to Keld. Distance 13 miles
After leaving Kirkby Stephen we enter the Yorkshire Dales, the path rises steadily to the summit of Nine Standards Rigg 662M. The hill is named after the group of ancient cairns that mark its summit. The path falls gradually before joining up with the river Swale; swift flowing and broken with waterfalls.


Day 9: Keld to Reeth. Distance 11 miles
We are now in Swaledale. In the 18th and 19th Centuries the area was a hive of activity for lead mining, the disused workings are still visible today as we cross the moors.


Day 10: Reeth to Bolton on Swale (Richmond). Distance 17 miles
Early on the walk we pass the Benedictine ruins of Marrick Priory. We cross undulating farmland to Richmond, the biggest town on route. Richmond marks our departure from the Yorkshire Dales. To shorten the following days walk we continue along the banks of the river Swale to Bolton on Swale and then transfer back to Richmond.


Day 11: Bolton on Swale (Richmond) to Ingleby Cross. Distance 17 miles
In the morning we tranfser back to Bolton on Swale. Today’s path is almost level and generally easy going, on a mix of Country lanes and farmland. Bolton-on-Swale has a monument to Henry Jenkins who believe it or not died in 1670 at the age of 169.


Day 12: Ingleby Cross to Blakey Ridge. Distance 20 miles
This is the start of our crossing over the North York Moors. These are the Cleveland Hills, although there are some sharp ascents these hills are gentler than those we have crossed in the Lake District. For the last 8 miles the path levels and easy walking is found along the route of a dismantled railway line.


Day 13: Blakey Ridge to Grosmont. Distance 15 miles
From Blakey Ridge the path is level before gradually descending to the village of Glaisdale. Just after Glaisdale is the 17th century Beggars Bridge, a good spot for a photo. There is a short woodland walk to Egton Bridge, then the old toll road to Grosmont. Grosmont is home to several steam trains.


Day 14: Grosmont to Robin Hoods Bay. Distance 15 miles
The final day of the trail. A steep walk up the 1 in 3 road and the views to the sea open up. The route continues to follow country lanes, woodland paths and heather clad moors. You can smell the sea air. We are on cliff tops again, turning south to the seaside village of Robin Hoods Bay. Down to the beach and dip your toe in the sea once more. Your challenge is complete.Say farewell to your guide and reflect on your achievement.


Day 15: Robin Hoods Bay.
Depart from your accommodation and head for Home