England Coast to Coast

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Manchester | Transfer to hotel near the coast

We’ll meet at Manchester Airport at 8:00am 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 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)

Day 2 – Scafell Pike | Lodore Falls

While most Coast-to-Coast tours take the low road, we believe that no trip to the Lake District would be complete without an ascent of England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike. From the scenic valley of Wasdale, we hike up the traditional route to the summit, where our efforts are rewarded with views across all four nations of the UK.  

The summit cairn not only serves as shelter for us to enjoy the views and a picnic on a windy day, but also houses the highest war memorial in England. At the end of WW1, the summit of Scaffel Pike and its surrounding area was gifted to the National Trust as a memorial to the local people who fought during the Great War. A plaque commemorating the fallen soldiers is still visible today.  

We descend back to Wasdale Head where our driver is waiting to take us to our Edwardian country house hotel for the evening in the unspoiled village of Borrowdale. (BSD) 

Distance: 6 miles | Ascent: 3510 feet | Descent: 3510 feet (may vary) 

Day 3 – Stonethwaite to Grasmere

From Stonethwaite, our trail ascends to Green up edge in the centre 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. There will be plenty of time for you to visit Dove Cottage where Wordsworth lived from 1799 to 1808 and produced his best-loved poems. You will also be able to sample one of Cumbria’s best known food specialities; gingerbread from Grasmere gingerbread shop, washed down with a pint of local ale at the village pub. (BSD)

Distance: 7.4 miles | Ascent: 2169 feet | Descent: 2169 feet (may vary)

Day 4 – Grasmere to Glenridding | Glenridding

After a generous Lakeland breakfast, we walk from Dunmale Raise to Glenridding, taking the high trail over Helvellyn. The hike begins with a steep climb up to Griesdale Tarn and then flattens out for a beautiful traverse across Dollywagon Pike, High Crag and Nethermost Pike to the summit of Helvellyn. Helvellyn is the third highest peak in England and has some of the most breathtaking views in the Lake District, surrounded on all sides by mountains and Lakes that make the region so famous. In the words of Alfred Wainwright, Helvellyn forms "a tremendous natural barrier from north to south between the deep troughs of the Thirlmere and Ullswater Valleys". 

After enjoying a picnic lunch, we descend to our hotel in Ullswater Valley, right on the shores of Ullswater which will be our home for the next two evenings. Dinner is at one of our favorite local restaurants. (BSD)

Distance: 8.1 miles | Ascent 2810 feet | Descent: 2810 feet (may vary)

Day 5 – Rest Day at Ullswater

After four days of fell walking (the local name for hiking), we have earned a rest day. The morning is yours to enjoy. If you’re feeling adventurous, optional activities include taking a dip in Ullswater lake. 

Dinner tonight is a three-course meal in the hotel restaurant where you will enjoy food inspired by the region’s produce with a view across Ullswater. (BSD) 

Day 6 – Glenridding to Haweswater | Transfer to Sedbergh

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) 

Day 7 – Sedbergh to Twistleton

Starting from the cobbled streets of Dent, our trail takes us to the summit of Whernside (2,410ft), the highest of The Yorkshire Three Peaks, which include Ingleborough (2,372ft) 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. Highlights include the Whernside Tarns and excellent views across the Yorkshire Dales. 

Our walk finishes in Twistleton and a short transfer takes us to our hotel where we will stay for two nights. (BSD)

Distance: 10.3 miles | Ascent: 2333 feet | Distance: 2333 feet (may vary)

Day 8 – Ingleton to Horton in Ribblesdale

We continue ‘bagging peaks’ today with an ascent of Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire three peaks. From the summit there are views out to Morecambe Bay and across the Lakeland Fells including Whernside and Pen-y-ghent.

The descent follows the Pennine Way to Horton in Ribblesdale and a short transfer takes us back to our hotel. Enjoy free time before dinner. (BSD)

Distance: 6.9 miles | Ascent: 1846 feet | Descent: 1846 feet (may vary)

Day 9 – Horton in Ribblesdale to Malham

Today is our third and 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)

Day 10 – Blakey Ridge to Glaisdale

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) 

Day 11 – Little Beck to Robin Hood’s Bay

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 dip our tired feet 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: 2143 feet | Descent: 2400 feet (may vary)

Day 12 – Robin Hood’s Bay | York | Manchester

After breakfast, we drive an hour and a half to the historic city of York. York has a rich Roman and Viking history and its ancient walls built in Roman times surround its independent shops, cafés and museums.  

You’ll have time to shop and explore the town before enjoying afternoon tea at one of York’s famous tea rooms. 

We leave York after lunch and arrive back to our starting point in Manchester. (BS) 

Day 13 – Onward Departure

Depart Manchester for return flights or onward travel (B)