MARK Coast to Coast
The Coast to Coast is one of Britain's most iconic long-distance walks — a 300 km journey from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, crossing three national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors. Created by Alfred Wainwright, it's a varied, challenging, and deeply rewarding route.
The full trail guide — stats, the route day by day, what it really feels like, and the planning detail you need to walk it.
At a Glance
- Best Season: May–September
- Terrain: Mountains, moorland, farmland, coast
The Route
🏔️ Route Character
Wainwright's Coast to Coast strings together the best of northern England: the Lake District's high fells, the limestone of the Dales, and the wild ridges of the North York Moors, with a dramatic start on St Bees cliffs and a finish on the North Sea coast at Robin Hood's Bay.
It's the classic 'sea to sea' adventure — challenging, varied, and iconic. It is not a National Trail, so parts are unwaymarked and route-finding matters.
🧰 Route Breakdown
- Day 1 — St Bees → Ennerdale Bridge — Cliff paths, farmland, and the foothills of the Lakes — a gentle start with coastal scenery.
- Day 2 — Ennerdale Bridge → Rosthwaite — Ennerdale Water, Honister Pass, and into Borrowdale — a big, atmospheric day.
- Day 3 — Rosthwaite → Patterdale — Greenup Edge, Grasmere, and Helvellyn range views — one of the most scenic days.
- Day 4 — Patterdale → Shap — High mountain terrain via Kidsty Pike and Haweswater — the toughest Lakes section.
- Day 5 — Shap → Kirkby Stephen — Rolling farmland and limestone scenery — a transition day leaving the Lakes.
- Day 6 — Kirkby Stephen → Keld — Crossing the Pennines over Nine Standards Rigg — remote, boggy, atmospheric.
- Day 7 — Keld → Reeth — The Swaledale valley — one of the best days, with a high or low route option.
- Day 8 — Reeth → Richmond — Gentle riverside walking to the historic market town.
- Day 9 — Richmond → Danby Wiske — Flat farmland and quiet lanes — a recovery day.
- Day 10 — Danby Wiske → Ingleby Cross — More farmland and the foothills of the Moors — easy terrain.
- Day 11 — Ingleby Cross → Clay Bank — Entering the North York Moors — steep, rolling ridges with superb views.
- Day 12 — Clay Bank → Blakey Ridge — A high moorland plateau — wild, open, and atmospheric.
- Day 13 — Blakey Ridge → Grosmont — Moorland, woodland, and a steep descent into Grosmont.
- Day 14 — Grosmont → Robin Hood's Bay — Coastal cliffs and a finish at the North Sea — a superb final day.
Practical
⚠️ Difficulty & Hazards
- Navigation: Mixed — well-trodden but not always waymarked. Map, compass and GPX essential.
- Terrain: Mountains, moorland, farmland and coast — very varied.
- Fitness: Sustained daily mileage over a fortnight — train beforehand.
- Weather: Lakes and Moors can be serious in poor conditions; check MWIS and the Met Office.
- Accommodation: Book ahead in the Lakes and Moors — options thin out in remote stretches.
🌠️ Who This Route Suits
- Experienced multi-day walkers
- People comfortable with navigation
- Those wanting a genuine sea-to-sea challenge
Not ideal for
- Beginners — it's long, remote, and partly unwaymarked
📱 Parking & Logistics
- Getting there: Start at St Bees on the Cumbrian coast, by train from the Furness line.
- Finish: Robin Hood's Bay has buses to Whitby and Scarborough.
- Resupply: Plan food carefully for the remote Dales and Moors stretches.
🧰 GPX & Map Notes
On OS Landranger and Explorer maps — the route crosses many sheets. A GPX is essential for the unwaymarked sections.
⭐ MX Summary: Wainwright's Coast to Coast is one of Britain's greatest walks — a sea-to-sea journey across the Lakes, Dales and North York Moors. Challenging, varied, and unforgettable.