Coast to Coast Guided Walking Holidays
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 location (except Keld) in prebooked 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.
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 high and gradients can be steep, so before you embark on this walk you must be physically fit, and equipped to meet it.
For further information please click here.
Duration of tour
15 days (14 nights)
Total distance
190 miles
Tour start dates
2008 holidays
3rd May 2008 - 17th May 2008. Fully Booked
7th Jun 2008 - 21st Jun 2008.
5th Jul 2008 - 19th Jul 2008.
2nd Aug 2008 - 16th Aug 2008. Fully Booked
30th Aug 2008 - 13th Sep 2008.
13th Sep 2008 - 27th Sep 2008.
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 first read the booking conditions and then
email or telephone our office on 01257 424889 to make your booking.
Price
Price £995 per person (single rooms supplement £75)
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. On each tour we pre-book double, twin and single occupancy rooms. Nearly all double and twin bedrooms are en-suite or have a private bathroom. Single room accommodation is in a mix of shared facility, en-Suite and private facility rooms.
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.
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.
Transport
Transport to the start and from the finish point of your holiday is not included in the price, however there are several transport options available to you
There is a train station in St Bees, which is a short walk from your accommodation. From Robin Hoods Bay you can catch a bus or take a taxi to Scarborough train station.
Parking is available in St Bees and transfer back to your car can be arranged. Please contact us to obtain further information and a price.
A convenient major International airport with rail links is Manchester. Airport transfers can be arranged, please contact us if you require further information about this option.
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. 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.
Day 6: Patterdale to Shap. Distance 16 miles
A sharp steep walk out of Patterdale 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 Osmotherley. Distance 19
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: Osmotherley to Blakey Ridge. Distance 19
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
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