Coast to Coast Walk Ennerdale

Coast to Coast Walk Part 1 Guided Walking Holiday

This is an 83 mile guided walking holiday following Wainwrights Coast to Coast route across Cumbria. Five days hiking are in the Lake District National Park. This tour is a group walking holiday with a guide. You walk from west to east through stunning scenery, crossing the Lake District Mountains. 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 route levels to cross the undulating farmland between the Lake District and the Pennines.

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.

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 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, gradients are steep and some days long, so before you embark on this walk you must be physically fit, and equipped to meet it.


2010 holidays

Tour start dates

  • 19th June 2010 - 27th June 2010 - Fully booked

  • 22nd July 2010 - 30th July 2010 - Places available

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
9 days (8 nights)

Total distance
83 miles

Price
Price £605 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
Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

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 Kirkby Stephen 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
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

Please click here to view the 2010 guided coast to coast part 1 holiday dossier.


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 Bampton Grange. Distance 13 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 of the holiday. Look back to take a look at the serrated mountain skyline of the Lake District. From here the path descends steeply to Haweswater, and on to Bampton Grange.


Day 7: Bampton Grange to Orton. Distance 12 miles
Less strenuous walking as we leave the Lake District Mountains behind. We walk through Shap and then cross the limestone plateau and heather clad moors. The trail crosses undulating farmland to Orton.


Day 8: Orton to Kirkby Stephen. Distance 12 miles
We continue across rolling farmland, passing the ancient ‘Giants Graves’, to the market town of Kirkby Stephen.


Day 9: Kirkby Stephen.
Depart from your accommodation and head for Home