Coast to Coast Walk

The Coast to Coast is best suited to experienced hikers.

The trail follows a mix of footpaths, tracks, open moorland and quiet country roads. The Lake District has some big climbs and descents, which shouldn’t be underestimated, especially in bad weather. After heavy rain, some trails can get very muddy and boggy, so expect slower progress.

This route ranges from moderate to challenging to challenging, depending on which itinerary you choose. Within each tour, daily difficulty can vary, so some days may feel a little easier or tougher than the overall rating suggests.

Choosing the right itinerary for you

To help you find the best fit, here’s how our Coast to Coast hiking tours compare:

• Moderate-to-challenging (16, 17 and 18 days): More days mean more manageable daily distances, with 8–17 miles of hiking a day. The 18-day trip is our most popular option, as it splits the Richmond to Ingleby Cross section over two hiking days.
• Challenging (15 days): Expect much longer days on the trail, some over 20 miles.
• Strenuous (14 days): Our toughest Coast to Coast itinerary, best suited to super fit and experienced hikers.

Can’t commit to the full trail?

Why not split the trail in two and hike each half on a separate trip?

• Coast to Coast West (9 days): Moderate to challenging. Climb from the Irish Sea into the dramatic fells and lakes of the Lake District, finishing in the market town of Kirkby Stephen.
• Coast to Coast East (9 days): Moderate. Hike through the Yorkshire Dales and across the heather-clad North York Moors to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Looking for something different?

• Discover England: The Lake District to Yorkshire Dales (8 days): Not the Coast to Coast trail itself, but a relaxed rail and hike trip through some of the best scenery in the region.

Accommodation along the Coast to Coast is a genuine mix of hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&Bs, hand-picked to give you a warm welcome, traditional hospitality and hearty local food. We work with local and family-run properties wherever we can, since they tend to offer the best service and the best local knowledge. Some stops along the trail are in remote towns and villages with only a few places to stay, so standards may vary, and some accommodation may be a little more rustic.

We’ll always try to book you as close to the trail as possible, at the places listed in your itinerary. If availability is limited, we may need to use an alternative of the same standard or better. Occasionally, this means a short taxi transfer to a nearby town or village.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

As with any solo hike across remote, hilly terrain, it's worth taking a little extra care when you're out on the trail on your own.

Breakfast is included each morning, while lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation may be able to provide a packed lunch on request, bookable and payable on arrival, and our app also points out recommended lunch spots along the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

You can hike the Coast to Coast from April through October. May, June and September are traditionally the most popular months. July and August are usually the warmest, and the trail is often a little quieter during the UK school vacation period (August). In the shoulder months of April and October, be prepared for cooler temperatures, wind, rain and muddy trails.

A few dates are worth knowing about when you plan your trip:

• June: The Appleby Horse Fair, usually held around the second week of June, makes accommodations around Shap, Orton and Kirkby Stephen very hard to book. Robin Hood’s Bay also gets especially busy during its local folk festival, usually on the second weekend of June.
• May and early September: These are historically the busiest months on the trail, so your itinerary is likely to include some return taxi transfers to nearby towns and villages for overnight stays. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure these dates.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved to your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

The Coast to Coast has gained official National Trail status and work was done in 2025 to include significant path improvements and National Trail Acorn waymarkers along the full route.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

We also provide a hard copy of the Coast to Coast Harvey Map for those walking the full route or the western half of the trail.

Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you'd like more information on the route, we recommend:

• Coast to Coast Path, Henry Stedman (British Walking Guide: Trailblazers)

Getting to the start

For the full and west itineraries (starting in St Bees)

The easiest way to reach St Bees is by train. Most trips follow three simple steps:

1. Get to Carlisle or Barrow-in-Furness. Carlisle has frequent trains from London, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Barrow-in-Furness is reached via Preston or Lancaster.
2. Change to a connecting train to St Bees. From Carlisle or Barrow-in-Furness, a direct train runs along the scenic Cumbrian coast to St Bees.
3. Step off the train at St Bees and you’re already in the heart of the village, just a short walk from your accommodations.

Arriving by plane?

The closest airports are Manchester and Newcastle, and you can also fly into London.

• Manchester Airport (MAN): Take the train to Carlisle, or to Barrow-in-Furness via Preston, then change for St Bees. Allow about 4 hours.
• Newcastle Airport (NCL): Take the Metro to Newcastle station, then a train to Carlisle, and change for St Bees. Allow about 4 hours.
• London airports: Head to London Euston station, then take the train to Carlisle, or to Barrow-in-Furness via Preston, and change for St Bees. Allow about 4.5 to 5.5 hours from Euston.

For the east itinerary (starting in Kirkby Stephen)

The easiest way to reach Kirkby Stephen is by train. Most trips follow three simple steps:

1. Get to Carlisle or Leeds. Both cities have frequent trains and buses from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and other major cities.
2. Change to a connecting train to Kirkby Stephen. From Carlisle or Leeds, a direct train runs along the scenic Settle–Carlisle line to Kirkby Stephen station.
3. Take a short taxi or bus ride into town. The station sits just outside Kirkby Stephen, about a 5-minute drive from the center. We don’t recommend walking, as there’s no sidewalk along the road.

Arriving by plane?

The closest major airport is Manchester, though you can also fly into London. From either airport.

• Manchester Airport (MAN): Take the train to Carlisle or Leeds, then a connecting train to Kirkby Stephen. Allow about 3 to 4.5 hours in total.
• London Airports: Take the train from London Euston to Carlisle or from London King’s Cross to Leeds. From Carlisle or Leeds, take a connecting train to Kirkby Stephen. Allow about 5 to 6 hours total.
• Newcastle Airport (NCL): It is also possible to get to Kirkby Stephen from Newcastle, but the journey takes longer, with several bus and train changes.

Getting from the end

For the full and east itineraries (departing Robin Hood’s Bay)

Robin Hood’s Bay doesn’t have a train station, so you’ll start with a short bus ride. Most trips follow three simple steps:

1. Take the bus to Scarborough or Whitby. The X93 and X94 buses run along the coast between Scarborough and Whitby, stopping at Robin Hood’s Bay.
2. Catch a train from Scarborough or Whitby. From Scarborough, direct trains run to York, Leeds and Manchester. From Whitby, trains run to Middlesbrough, where you can connect to the wider rail network.
3. Connect to your onward journey. From York, Leeds or Manchester, frequent trains run to London and other major cities.

Flying home?

The closest major airport is Manchester, though you can also fly from London. Follow steps 1 and 2 above, then:

• Manchester Airport (MAN): Take the train from Scarborough to Manchester, then change for the airport.
• London airports: Take the train from Scarborough to York, then change for London King’s Cross.

For the west itinerary (departing from Kirkby Stephen)

The easiest way to leave Kirkby Stephen is by train. Most trips follow three simple steps:

1. Take a short taxi or bus ride to the station. Kirkby Stephen station sits just outside town, about a 5-minute drive from the center. We don’t recommend walking, as there’s no sidewalk along the road.
2. Catch a train to Carlisle or Leeds. Direct trains run along the scenic Settle–Carlisle line to both cities.
3. Connect to your onward journey. From Carlisle or Leeds, frequent trains run to London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and other major cities.

Flying home?

The closest major airport is Manchester, though you can also fly from London. Follow steps 1 and 2 above, then:

• Manchester Airport (MAN): Take the train from Carlisle or Leeds to the airport. Allow about 3 to 4.5 hours in total.
• London airports: Take the train from Carlisle to London Euston, or from Leeds to London King’s Cross.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation

Want a keepsake to remember every step? Pick up the official Coast to Coast Passport and collect stamps from cafés, pubs, shops and churches along the trail. You’ll also unlock special offers on food and outdoor gear at participating businesses along the way. Once you reach Robin Hood’s Bay, you’ll qualify for an official completion certificate, a pretty special way to celebrate hiking across England. The Macs App shows all stamping and discount locations.

High and low routes on the Macs Adventure App

On several stages of the Coast to Coast, especially in the Lake District, you can choose between a high-level and a low-level route. Our app includes both, so you can decide on the day based on the weather, your energy levels and how adventurous you’re feeling.

The high routes take you over the fells (the local name for the hills and mountains), with bigger climbs and some of the most spectacular views on the trail. On a clear day, they’re hard to beat. The low routes follow valleys and lakeshores instead, making them a great option in bad weather, when low clouds and strong winds can make the tops difficult to navigate.

Start with a Coast to Coast tradition

Before you set off from St Bees, dip your boots in the Irish Sea and pick up a pebble from the beach. Carry it all the way across England, then toss it into the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay. It’s a small ritual, but trust us, it means a lot by the end.

Stop at The Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge

Set high on the North York Moors, The Lion Inn dates back to the 16th century and feels a world away from anywhere. It’s the perfect spot for a hearty lunch or a well-earned pint.

Sign the book at Wainwright’s Bar

Once you’ve finished at Robin Hood’s Bay, head to Wainwright’s Bar at the Bay Hotel. Sign the Coast to Coast book, raise a glass and celebrate your achievement. You’ve hiked across England!

Treat yourself to Grasmere Gingerbread

No visit to Grasmere is complete without a stop at the little Grasmere Gingerbread shop, next to St Oswald’s Church. It’s been baked to the same secret recipe since 1854, and it travels well in a backpack.