The Coast to Coast walk was first published in Alfred Wainwright’s guidebook of the same name, A Coast to Coast Walk, in 1973. The famous fell walker, illustrator and guidebook author designed the route connecting the dramatic landscapes between the Irish Sea and the North Sea after falling in love with the Lake District on his first visit at the age of 23.

As a highly intelligent child, and a prolific walker with a fondness for cartography, he enjoyed rambling and sketching from an early age. It’s no wonder then his life’s work brought him to the Lake District which inspired his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells across seven volumes, showcasing the 214 mountains which are now referred to as Wainwrights. Today, Wainwright ‘bagging’ remains a popular pursuit amongst locals and visitors alike.

With over 40 guidebooks published during his lifetime, Wainwright leaves a legacy that inspires thousands of people each year to climb the mountains he illustrated and walk the epic coast to coast path he painstakingly detailed.

How Long is the Coast to Coast Walk?

The English Coast to Coast walk is a hiking route that stretches across the country from St. Bees on the Cumbrian coast in the west, to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea coast in the east. The path is approximately 192 miles long and journeys across two counties – Cumbria and North Yorkshire – and three national parks. More on those below.

Most people choose to start in the west at St. Bees and walk east. The only drawback of this way round is that the hardest parts of the walk are at the beginning, although there are advantages to getting the toughest bits done first. Otherwise, you can begin walking from Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire and work your way up to the dramatic Lake District fells to end on a high.

Coast to Coast itineraries typically take between 12 and 16 days to cover the whole route, although you can take longer and enjoy more rest days exploring the highlights along the way.

How Hard is the Coast to Coast Walk?

It’s a 190 mile route, requiring between 10 and 25 miles walking each day, depending on how many days you’ve allowed. Whilst walking Coast to Coast in England follows a famous route, it is no easy feat. You must have a decent level of fitness and be used to fell walking to be able to cover the daily distances, on consecutive days. This is entirely achievable with plenty of preparation and a positive attitude.

However, it is worth noting that conditions are highly changeable and inclement weather can descend quickly. Being prepared for this with waterproof gear and provisions is essential, even during the summer months – this is England after all! You should also be experienced at navigating using maps and a compass. The route is well signposted in places but not in its entirety so being able to pinpoint your location will ensure you don’t get lost along the way.

Walking the Coast to Coast is an incredible experience and enjoyed by people of all ages. With the right training, planning and mindset, this iconic journey is a memorable one, taking you across some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the country.

The Stages of the Coast to Coast Walk

Below is an example of how the England Coast to Coast Walk could be broken down into stages across 14 days, walking from west to east.

Day	Start	Finish	Distance
1	St. Bees	Ennerdale Bridge	14 mi / 22.5 km
2	Ennerdale Bridge	Rosthwaite	14 mi / 22.5 km
3	Rosthwaite	Patterdale	17 mi / 27.25 km
4	Patterdale	Bampton	11.5 mi / 18.5 km
5	Bampton	Orton	11.5 mi / 18.5 km
6	Orton	Kirkby Stephen	12.5 mi / 20 km
7	Kirkby Stephen	Keld	11 mi / 17.75 km
8	Keld	Reeth	10.5 mi / 17 km
9	Reeth	Richmond	15 mi / 24 km
10	Richmond	Ingleby Arncliffe	23 mi / 37 km
11	Ingleby Arncliffe	Clay Bank Top	11 mi / 17.75 km
12	Clay Bank Top	Lion Inn	9 mi / 14.5 km
13	Lion Inn	Grosmont	12.5 mi / 20 km
14	Grosmont	Robin Hood’s Bay	15.5 mi / 25 km

You can choose to break these stages down further or incorporate rest days at some of the more scenic points. Grasmere is a stunning place to rest between Rosthwaite and Patterdale, and a lovely village to explore during downtime. Kirkby Stephen sits along the midpoint of the route and is another gem of a town, nestled in the heart of the Eden Valley. Richmond is the largest town on the route and is natural stopping point before hiking to Ingleby Arncliffe.

Highlights of the Route

St. Bees

Wainwright chose a particularly stunning setting to begin Coast to Coast walks. St. Bees beach is a beautiful sandy bay flanked by the dramatic red cliffs of St. Bees Head, watched by a plethora of birdlife flying overhead. An excellent place to stay a night or two before or after your journey.

Lake District

The Lake District National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in the UK and it’s not hard to see why. With high mountain peaks, gorgeous lakes and plenty of adventure activities on offer, the Lakes is a fantastic place to explore and what better way to enjoy it than on two feet. Some of the most strenuous days walking are across the Lakeland peaks but the panoramic views are a welcome distraction from tired legs and sore knees.

Kirkby Stephen

The midpoint of the Coast to Coast UK is a lovely market town with a welcoming community. Nestled in the Eden Valley, on the cusp of the Yorkshire Dales, Kirkby Stephen is less well known than Lake District hotspots, but equally picturesque. Break your journey here and spend a few days relaxing in the local cafés, wandering along the River Eden, riding the scenic Settle to Carlisle Railway line and resting those feet.

Yorkshire Dales

Completely different to the Lakes but no less stunning, the Yorkshire Dales feels much wilder and more remote. Made up of limestone crags and lush valleys, the high moorland expanses are speckled with drystone walls and hidden farmsteads. It is a true pleasure to walk across this magnificent region, discovering its secrets along the way.

North York Moors

Different again are the North York Moors. Rugged coastline meets heather-covered moors here along the Heritage Coast of England. An area steeped in history, walking across the North York Moors offers a sense of peace, tranquillity and space where the horizon stretches for miles. Whilst the terrain is not as mountainous as the Lakes, the distances to walk are long, making this a challenging but rewarding stage of your route.

Robin Hood’s Bay

The final, or first, village on the Wainwright Coast to Coast walk route, Robin Hood’s Bay, is a charming fishing village on the east coast of the North York Moors. Winding cobbled streets give way to open sandy beach which can be glimpsed amongst the higgledy piggledy buildings as you get lost in this vibrant little place. Take the time to explore here before or after your walk and you won’t be disappointed.

What to Pack for your Walk

Anyone who has enjoyed walking in England will know that it’s a good idea to pack sun cream and waterproofs on any given day! Unless you’re camping, you’ll likely be carrying a daypack with you. It’s important to pack plenty of water, snacks, a picnic lunch, dry socks, a map, compass, spare power bank, warm layers for higher altitudes and windy days, and a hat.

If you’re camping, try to keep your pack as light as possible with a lightweight tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag, light ready meals and a small stove, a good backpack cover to keep your things dry and plenty of layers for when the temperature drops at night.

Best Time to Walk the Coast to Coast

You can trek the Coast to Coast any time of year but bear in mind winter conditions will bring more challenges and may disturb your progress. Thick fog, snow, ice, freezing rain and high winds are all risky conditions to walk in so unless you’re an experienced all-weather hiker, consider spring or autumn for Coast to Coast walking holidays. The weather will be milder; there will be less people about than during the summer months and you’ll have the added benefit of experiencing the beautiful landscapes you traverse as they flourish and transform.

Coast to Coast Accommodation

If you’re keen campers and happy to carry your equipment with you then you’ll have more flexibility about where you stop. There will be campsites of all shapes and sizes along the route so even if you don’t hit the stage you’re aiming for, you should be able to find somewhere to pitch easily enough.

Most people don’t want to carry their belongings with them, which is where baggage transfer services are super useful. For a fee, you can have your luggage picked up from your Coast to Coast accommodation each day and transferred to the next overnight stop by vehicle as you walk from one place to another. This not only reduces the amount you have to carry, but gives a strong incentive to keep on walking, despite tired legs!

The table above will help signpost you to some of the most popular places to stay along the route. We’d recommend opting for comfortable accommodation close to shops or pubs making it easy to find food after a long day’s walking. 

Why Winton Makes an Excellent Midpoint Stay

Hill House Winton is one such establishment. Just over a mile north of Kirkby Stephen, the village of Winton is a wonderful place to relax and rest on your Coast to Coast walking holiday. Enjoying a peaceful rural location, close enough to the larger town of Kirkby Stephen to benefit from the shops, eateries and amenities, but far enough away to retreat to a luxurious holiday cottage, we offer the best of both worlds.

Spend a few days recovering here in a comfortable cottage that’s ideal for couples, groups of friends or families – we’re also dog friendly. There’s a fantastic restaurant in the village too, The Bay Horse Winton, so you don’t have to stray far for a decent meal. We usually have a three night minimum stay which is plenty of time to explore things to do in Kirkby Stephen and the surrounding areas. Shorter stays can sometimes be arranged for larger groups on request if you get in touch with us directly.

Check out our beautiful Coast to Coast walk accommodation and treat yourself to a well-earned rest in our gorgeous little corner of Cumbria. 

The vibrant market town of Kirkby Stephen is perhaps best known as the midpoint for Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast walking route. Loved by walkers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts alike, Kirkby Stephen is not only a natural stopping point for those walking past, it also serves as a gateway to a whole host of gorgeous surrounding villages and fells. Sprawling along the River Eden, the town is perfectly located to explore the many sights nearby and welcomes visitors with a warm local community vibe.

Whether walking through or using Kirkby Stephen as a base, this lovely town is a friendly place to stay and has plenty to keep the entire family entertained. Below are some of the highlights in and around Kirkby Stephen, although there are many more besides. Treat this list as an introduction to the area – we know you’ll be back to discover more!

In Kirkby Stephen

1.        Stainmore Railway Company

Kirkby Stephen East Station is a heritage railway station in Kirkby Stephen, once a major hub along the Stainmore steam railway route that crossed the Pennines. After closing to traffic and freight in the 1960s, the railway fell into disrepair before the Stainmore Railway Company was set up in 2000 to restore the station, track, yards and trains.

Now you can visit Kirkby Stephen East Railway Station at weekends and learn more about the railway in the small museum and see the trains, carriages, workshops and various restoration projects. Entry is free and on special event days you can even ride on the steam trains, for an additional fee. For anyone interested in the railway roots of Kirkby Stephen, a visit here is a must.

2.        Settle to Carlisle Railway

Along the same theme as above, is the Settle to Carlisle steam railway. This scenic rail route is one of the most picturesque in the country – 72 miles of beautiful landscapes, ancient viaducts and mountain tunnels as it travels from the Yorkshire Dales to Carlisle, passing the Lake District and North Pennines on the way.

Kirkby Stephen Train Station is just south of the town, and from here it is 55 minutes north to Carlisle, or 30-45 minutes to the Yorkshire Dales stops of Ribblehead, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Settle. The ride alone is well worth a return trip, but exploring the nearby towns on foot is an added bonus. If you’re into steam trains, Settle to Carlisle is the line to watch, with regular heritage locomotives passing and special excursions available through the summer months.

3.        Platform 3 Kirkby Stephen

Families with young children can enjoy a whole day at Platform 3 Play. This huge soft play has a large indoor play area and a smaller outdoor area, with sections suited to different ages. A small café on site serves drinks, snacks, lunches and cakes and there is parking available too. If the weather is wet or you’re looking for a way to entertain the kids for a few hours, this is a wonderful place to visit and let them loose.

4.        Stenkrith Park

Hidden by the southeast corner of Kirkby Stephen is Stenkrith Park. A wild woodland where the River Eden drops into a gorge forcing the water through small spaces, you’ll find some fantastic rock formations here. A short walking trail (approx. 1.5 miles) winds its way through the park that’s perfect for little legs, although not for pushchairs or wheelchairs. At intervals there is poetry carved into the rocks with verses matching the nearby landscape. The poetry trail is a lovely little walk and those into geocaching will find a cache hidden in the woods here.

5.        Northern Viaduct Walk

The Northern Viaduct walking trail is a circular trail that begins in the town and is one of our favourite Kirkby Stephen walks. Starting at the market square in town, walk across Frank’s Bridge to the Merrygill Viaduct. Follow the trail south past Podgill Viaduct and back through Stenkrith Park and along the river to end up back where you started. This route is approximately 4 miles long and a wonderful walk that explores the closest viaducts to Kirkby Stephen. A great way to spend a morning or afternoon. Take a picnic and stop along the way or end up at one of the lovely Kirkby Stephen cafés for refreshment afterwards.

6.        Kirkby Stephen Craft and Food Producers Market

Held on the first Saturday of every month, Kirkby Stephen market can be found in the Masonic Hall and Silver Street Gardens from 9am – 1pm. With produce, plants, gifts, treats, crafts and booze, make sure your visit coincides with market day so you can stock up on all sorts of locally made goodies.

Outside of Kirkby Stephen

7.        Smardale Gill Nature Reserve

Smardale is a small village approximately 2 miles west of Kirkby Stephen, outside of which is Smardale Nature Reserve. From a small car park along the road, an accessible ramp leads up to a gate where you can pick up the path to Smardale Viaduct that follows the old railway line. It is 1.5 miles to the viaduct, and you can continue on or turn back as preferred. Red squirrels and rare butterflies can be spotted in the reserve which is a mixture of ancient woodland and limestone grasslands. The views of the viaduct and the surrounding countryside are simply stunning and it’s a great place to walk dogs on leads.

8.        Brough Castle

Approximately 5 miles north of Kirkby Stephen are the striking remains of Brough Castle. Situated on the site of a Roman fort, the ruins overlook the dramatic Stainmore Pass and are an impressive sight. Managed by English Heritage, it’s free to enter the well-preserved castle ruins, and anyone with an interest in local history will enjoy learning about Lady Anne Clifford and her family seat.

Exploring the site will take an hour or so, and a real bonus is Brough Ice Cream Parlour and Tearoom opposite. Selling homemade ice cream, milkshakes, cakes and light meals, the café is super popular. You can enjoy your treats at picnic tables scattered around the castle ruins.

9.        Nine Standards

Four miles southeast of Kirkby Stephen, high atop Hartley Fell are the Nine Standards. These mysterious nine stone cairns lend their name to the summit, Nine Standards Rigg (650m) which is part of many Coast to Coast routes. You don’t have to walk the Coast to Coast path to see these awesome cairns though. Head along the route up towards Hartley Fell and you’ll spot the iconic landmark high along the ridge.

No one knows how old the cairns are, who built them or why, but they are periodically repaired as their exposed position erodes their structures. Measuring between 2-4m high, some are conical, one is pyramidical, one stepped and one square. Walkers looking for spectacular scenery and a quirky landmark to aim for should seek out Nine Standards Rigg.

10.   Winton Park Kirkby Stephen

Last on our list is Winton Park. Former farmland turned landscaped lusciousness, Winton Park Gardens are stunning leisure gardens overlooked by Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang Edge. Open periodically on Sundays from spring to summer, these beautiful English gardens incorporate sculptures, waterfalls, ponds, trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders. They’re a truly magnificent place to visit for anyone with an interest in gardening. Find light refreshments available to buy here and plants for sale.

Where is Kirkby Stephen?

Kirkby Stephen sits just south of the North Pennines National Landscape, northwest of the Yorkshire Dales and east of the Lake District. With so many beautiful areas nearby to explore, it’s no wonder this little town is popular with walkers and cyclists.

You can reach Kirkby Stephen via the A66, turning south at Brough, or from junction 38 of the M6, heading east. The spectacular location and picturesque outlook of the town ensure that once discovered, it’s the kind of place people return to.

Why Hill House Winton makes the perfect base

The unassuming village of Winton is just a mile up the road from Kirkby Stephen, easily walking distance away but there is a local bus service between the two if preferred. Pleasingly pretty stone houses line the road, with a small park in the middle of village green, outside The Bay Horse Winton, an excellent country pub. Winton makes a fantastic base for exploring Kirkby Stephen, the Eden Valley and the beautiful national parks and landscapes nearby. Whether you’re planning walks in Kirkby Stephen or travelling further afield from here, the village makes a wonderful place to retreat home to afterwards.

Our luxurious holiday cottage boasts all the modern comforts needed for an enjoyable stay. With three stylish bedrooms, a spacious dining kitchen and a large outdoor terrace, the cottage is ideal for families, friends and couples. Dogs are also welcomed, and they’ll love the wide open space here. Get in touch with us directly to book your stay and fall in love with this gorgeous place.