“I love that this itinerary was adjusted to the most scenic parts of the trail. The food blew me away, I was not expecting much of England but it was phenomenal. I thought the hikes were great in terms of pace and distance per day. They varied according to weather and conditions. I loved that the guides brought a great variety of snacks and treats every day. I felt this was very good value for the price. The scenery was much better than I expected.” - England Coast to Coast guest
We’ll meet at 8:00am in the Manchester Airport Hotel Radisson Blu lobby and transfer by private shuttle to Ravenglass—where the fells meet the sea—the Irish Sea, for lunch. We begin our Coast-to-Coast adventure with an afternoon walk which leads us into the Lake District National Park and the village of Eskdale Green. We pick up a stone on our first coast. We stay the evening in a peaceful setting on the River Calder, in a manor house dating to the 16th century. (SD)
Distance: 5.6 miles | Ascent: 1048 feet | Descent: 1048 feet (may vary)
While most Coast-to-Coast tours follow the low road, we believe the Lake District is best experienced from its higher, more inspiring vantage points. From the peaceful valley of Wasdale, we climb to a scenic high pass with sweeping views over Wast Water before descending past the shimmering Styhead Tarn. Our route then winds down a classic fell path into the quiet hamlet of Seatoller at the head of the Borrowdale Valley—an atmospheric and rewarding mountain crossing that captures the essence of the Lake District.
From Seatoller, our driver will meet you and take you to your Edwardian country house hotel in the unspoiled village of Borrowdale. (BSD)
Distance: 6 miles | Ascent: 3510 feet | Descent: 3510 feet (subject to change)
Please note: This is an example itinerary for today. The actual route will be selected at the guide’s discretion, taking into account group ability, weather, and trail conditions.
From Stonethwaite, our trail ascends to Green up edge in the center of the Lake District, with extensive views across the region and all of England’s 3000 foot mountains. We descend a trail following rivers and Waterfalls to enjoy our picnic lunch and continue to our hotel in the sleepy village of Grasmere.
Grasmere is probably the most idyllic village in the Lake District and was home to William Wordsworth. You will be able to sample one of Cumbria’s best known food specialities; gingerbread from Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. (BSD)
Distance: 7.4 miles | Ascent: 2169 feet | Descent: 2169 feet (may vary)
After a hearty Lakeland breakfast, we set out from Dunmail Raise and make our way toward Glenridding. We stop en route for a relaxed picnic lunch before continuing our descent into the Ullswater Valley. Our hotel sits right on the shores of Ullswater, where we’ll settle in for the night. (BSD)
Distance: 8.1 miles | Ascent 2810 feet | Descent: 2810 feet (may vary)
Today is our last day of hiking in the Lake District before crossing into the Yorkshire Dales. A short drive takes us to the trailhead at Hartstop where we begin our streamside walk following Haweswater Gill to Haweswater.
Some more ascent takes us to The Knott summit and we are rewarded for our efforts with a pleasant traverse across Highstreet and Mardale Bell past Bleawater Tarn.
We descend past a small water Tarn to Haweswater where we meet our driver and depart Cumbria. The next stop is Yorkshire and our boutique B&B in the Yorkshire Dales to begin the second part of our adventure! (BSD)
Distance: 6.2 miles | Ascent: 2385 feet | Distance: 2385 feet (may vary)
Our trail takes us to the summit of Ingleborough (2,372ft), one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, which include Whernside (2,410ft) and Pen-y-ghent (2,277ft). Every year, thousands of fell walkers take part in The Three Yorkshire Peaks challenge to complete the ascent of all of these peaks within 12 hours. Our hike today is more leisurely, but no less spectacular. Following our hike, we will take a short transfer to our hotel. (BSD)
Distance: 7.6 miles | Ascent: 1910 feet | Distance: 1730 feet (subject to change)
Please note: This is an example itinerary for today. The actual route will be selected at the guide’s discretion, taking into account group ability, weather, and trail conditions.
Today is our final day in the Yorkshire Dales before moving on to the final part of our Coast-to-Coast hike in the North York Moors. Starting from where we left off yesterday, our hike continues along the Pennine Way, passing through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Yorkshire Dales to reach Malham.
Having lived in Malham for a decade, American travel writer Bill Bryson had a particular fondness for this part of the Dales:.
‘I won’t know for sure if Malhamdale is the finest place there is until I have died and seen heaven (assuming they let me at least have a glance), but until that day comes, it will certainly do.’
Our private driver meets us in Malham and we drive two hours to our hotel in the North York Moors. (BSD)
Distance: 11.3 miles | Ascent: 1868 feet | Descent: 1868 feet (may vary)
The concluding leg of our Coast-to-Coast walk takes us into a magical corner of North Yorkshire across the North York Moors National Park toward the North Sea coast. Today we will walk across wide-open ground typical of the North York Moors—Wide-open spaces, quiet country corners, and expanses of heather-clad moorland. We spend the evening in a charming country house hotel dating back to 1892 which boasts exquisite views of the Esk Valley and the surrounding Yorkshire Moors. (BSD)
Distance: 10 miles | Ascent: 702 feet | Descent: 1680 feet (may vary)
The final steps of our Coast-to-Coast hike crosses The North York Moors and concludes as we descend the winding, cobbled streets of Robin Hood’s Bay, the picturesque fishing village on the North York Coast marking the traditional end point of the England Coast to Coast walk. This isolated cove was an ideal location for smuggling, which was at its peak in late 1700's. We throw our stones in the North Sea and reflect on our adventure with a sense of achievement and a tinge of sadness that the hike is over.
We celebrate with a pint at a local pub and enjoy some time wandering around the village. (BSD)
Distance: 11.3 miles | Ascent: 1470 feet | Descent: 1650 feet (may vary)
After breakfast, we will drive back to our starting point in Manchester to say our goodbyes (3 to 3.5 hour drive). There will be an optional drop-off on the way to Manchester at the historic city of York for guests who wish to continue their trip in the UK. (B)
Depart Manchester for return flights or onward travel (B)
We rate this trip as strenuous. You should be an active hiker in good physical condition. You should be capable of walking 7 to 8 hours per day on rugged trails with some steep ascents and descents (averaging 2,500 to 3,500 vertical feet per day) at an elevation up to 3500 feet above sea level. Due to the rugged terrain and challenging underfoot, this trek is more difficult than most of our Alpine treks.
