England - coast to coast - Hiking

Welcome to St Bees, the most westerly point in Cumbria! Leave your bags at the accommodation and head out into the 1000-year-old village. End the evening with a drink at the local pub.
Tomorrow the journey really begins!

Before leaving St Bees this morning, like all coast-to-coast hikers, you are advised to make your way down to the village beach to pick up a beautiful stone. From here you leave St.Bees and start hiking along the coast before turning inland to the village of Sandwith. After a brief stop in the cosy little village, you’ll hike on through the sleepy villages of Moor Row and Cleator before arriving at the final destination of the day, Ennerdale Bridge.

23 km, +645 m, -547 m

You start the day by hiking along Ennerdale Water in the Lake District National Park, with stunning views of the nearby fells. From here you have two choices: Either hike high up to Red Pike and then over High Stile to the iconic Haystacks and past Inominate Tarn (where Wainwright’s ashes were scattered). If this feels too strenuous, you can follow a quieter, flatter route to the Black Sail Youth Hostel and then up Loft Beck. Both routes take you to the Honister Slate slate mine – the last working slate mine in England – before reaching the village of Rosthwaite.

24 km, +1028 m, -1044 m

Today you face a shorter stage, but even so, the climb to today’s only summit, Greenup Edge, is steep and demanding. The views you’re greeted with up here are another iconic image of the unique and beautiful landscape the Lake District has to offer. When you’re ready to continue, hike the final stretch to beautiful Grasmere. There’s plenty to explore here, including the William Wordsworth Museum and the poet’s former home, Dove Cottage.

15 km, +547m, -563m

Before leaving Grasmere, it is recommended to climb up to Grisedale Hause, a hill with a wonderful view of the small village. If you want to continue even higher from here, you can hike up the famous Helvellyn peak or St Sunday Crag. From here you have incredible views all the way to Ullswater. The hike continues from there down to Petterdale, where the evening and night are spent.

15 km, +541 m, 458 m

We start the day by hiking up a long hill with impressive panoramic views of Fairfield, Helvellyn, Hartsop and the Kirkstone Pass. You then continue along Angle Tarn, over the old Roman road of High Street and up Kidsty Pike, the highest point on the hike. The hike then takes you down to Lake Haweswater, formed in the 1930s to supply water to towns in the north-west. From here, the final part of the day’s hike takes you through the charming villages of Bampton and Shap Abbey, the ruins of a monastery founded in the 13th century, until you reach Shap.

27 km, +900m, -798m

Leaving Shap, you cross a couple of busy roads and railways until you reach the high moors. From here you’ll hike through a rugged landscape of limestone cliffs and limestone pavements, dotted in places with ‘erratic’ granite boulders moved there by glaciers. Finally, you will hike down to the accommodation in Westmorland along an old Roman road.

12-13 km, +226 m, -250 m

You’ll start the day by hiking to Orton, a picturesque village with an old chocolate factory where you can be tempted and stock up on snacks for the day. From here you return to Wainwright’s route, through an open landscape of farmland, moorland and stunning views of the distinctive Howgills and Pennines mountain ranges. Before stopping for lunch in Smardale Bridge you pass Sunbiggin Tarn, a large bird reserve with many rare species. After a good lunch you hike on over Smardale Fell to Kirkby Stephen. This is an incredibly beautiful town with the fabulous St Hedda’s Church, which contains an 9th century Loki stone that tells the story of Norse mythology.

20-24 km, +290 m, -350 m

You leave Kyrkby Stephen behind and start your hike towards Keld. During the day you will pass the stone cairns at Nine Standards Rigg (661m) with its many obelisks. This is an ancient boundary marking the watershed of England. From here you hike the last bit over a beautiful moor to the final destination of the day, Keld. Here you can enjoy beautiful waterfalls and fresh scones.

19km, +534m, -385m

Today you have two different routes to choose from, one over the mountain and a longer route along the valley. The first route takes you through a remote area of beautiful moorland and lead mining ruins, while the second takes you through the valley of Swaledale with its traditional stone barns and stone walls. Whichever you choose, the hike ends in Reeth, a typical Dales village with cosy pubs.

19km, +459m, -573m

Today’s hike takes you through lush meadows and pretty villages, such as Marrick Priory, a 12th-century Benedictine nunnery abandoned during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century. After a more leisurely day of hiking, you’ll reach Richmond, a quintessentially English village with picturesque cobbled streets and stone houses. Spend the rest of the evening and night here.

19 km, +290 m, -344 m

The hike is also easier and flatter today, taking you across the Vale of Mowbray, through fertile farmland and along quiet country lanes, via Bolton-on-Swale and its 14th century St Mary’s Church. Finally, you reach Danby Wiske, a cluster of pretty houses clustered around the village green.

22 km, +77 m, -172 m

Today’s hike takes you along flat footpaths, colourful rape fields and sleepy cattle towards the North York Moors National Park and its hills. The evening and night are spent in the cosy village of Osmotherley.

18 km, +232 m, – 102 m

Today’s hike is mainly along minor country lanes in a beautiful setting. Towards the end of the day, the hike ascends to what used to be East Harlsey Castle and then the North York Moors. Before finally reaching Great Broughton, the hike follows a cosy woodland path among fine ruins and picturesque mountain villages.

18 km, +716 m, -598 m

Today you will hike along a beautiful mountain pass over Round Hill (454m) and along an old dismantled railway. During today’s route, in addition to stunning views of the Farn and Esk valleys, you will encounter stones with ancient carvings. The evening and night are spent in Blakey.

14 km, +238 m, -114 m

The day starts with a stop at a white cross called Fat Betty. From here the hike continues down to the wooded valley of Eskdale, where you have beautiful views of the sea. Before reaching Egton, you will follow a beautiful path through the woods on the banks of the River Esk. Once in Egton, it is recommended to visit the village church with relics of the Catholic martyr Nicholas Postgate.

21 km, +145 m, -500 m

The day starts with a steep climb up onto the moors before heading back down to beautiful Littlebeck, but not before catching a glimpse of the sea and the breathtaking Whitby Abbey! The hike continues into the stunning scenery of Falling Foss Forest. From here you’ll hike across the moraines before finally making your way along the top of the Jurassic cliffs, with their stunning coastal scenery to Robin Hood’s Bay. Don’t forget to throw your St Bees stone into the North Sea on arrival. Congratulations – you’ve crossed England!

24 km, +570 m, -600 m

We at EverTrek hope you have had a great trip!
We hope to see you again.

Welcome to St Bees, the most westerly point in Cumbria! Leave your bags at the accommodation and head out into the 1000-year-old village. End the evening with a drink at the local pub.
Tomorrow the journey really begins!

Start your hike along the coast before turning inland towards the village of Sandwith. After passing through the quiet villages of Moor Row and Cleator, you’ll reach the first climb of the journey – Dent Fell. From there you continue to the small village of Ennerdale Bridge. If accommodation isn’t available in Ennerdale, you’ll usually spend the night in nearby Cleator, which will involve a transfer.

23 km, +645 m, -547 m

You’re now in the Lake District National Park, and the day starts with a hike along Ennerdale Water, where you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding fells.
Here you have two choices: either take the higher route up to Red Pike and on over High Stile to the iconic Haystacks, past Innominate Tarn (where Wainwright’s ashes were scattered). Alternatively, you can take a quieter route via the Black Sail Youth Hostel and then continue up Loft Beck.
Both options lead you to Honister Slate Mine – England’s last active slate mine – before descending to the village of Rosthwaite and on to Stonethwaite, both of which lie in the beautiful Borrowdale valley.

23km, +1028, -1044m

Today’s stage is shorter, but the climb to the only summit of the day, Greenup Edge, is both steep and demanding. The view from the top offers another iconic view of the Lake District’s unique and magnificent landscape.
You’ll spend the night in the charming village of Grasmere, where there’s plenty to discover. Don’t miss the Wordsworth Museum and the famous poet’s former home, Dove Cottage.

15 km, +547m, – 563m

All hikers make their way up to Grisedale Hause, where you’ll get great views back towards Grasmere. Here you have the option of choosing a higher route, either to the famous peak of Helvellyn or to St Sunday Crag, which offers sweeping views all the way to Ullswater. The route then descends through Grisedale to Patterdale and on to Glenridding. Alternatively, you can take the direct route down Grisedale to the villages.

14-17 km, +541 m, -458 m

The day begins with another climb and impressive panoramic views of Fairfield, Helvellyn, Hartsop and Kirkstone Pass. Continuing along Angle Tarn, you’ll follow the ancient Roman road of High Street and reach the top of Kidsty Pike, which at 780 metres is the highest point on the Coast to Coast trail. From here you’ll have great views down towards Haweswater and Riggindale.
The hike then descends to Haweswater, a man-made lake created in the 1930s to provide water for the towns of north-west England. Here you’ll enjoy an undulating hike through the charming village of Bampton, before passing Shap Abbey, the ruins of a monastery founded in the 13th century. The monks abandoned the abbey in 1540 on the orders of Henry VIII, and since then it has stood as a reminder of a bygone era. The day ends with a short hike to the village of Shap.

27 km, +900 m, -798 m

The route from Shap leads into the Westmorland Fells, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Here the landscape changes from dramatic granite cliffs to an open limestone area. You’ll pass the small village of Orton and continue through wide open landscapes of occasional villages, isolated houses and secluded farms, all while enjoying sweeping views of the distinctive Howgill Hills and the distant Pennines.
On the way you’ll pass Smardale Bridge, an impressive example of Victorian engineering from a now disused railway. The hike ends in the small but lively town of Kirkby Stephen, set in the heart of the beautiful Eden Valley. There are plenty of welcoming pubs, cafés and restaurants to explore.

33 km, +452 m, -532 m

We at EverTrek hope you have had a great trip!
We hope to see you again.