Coast to Coast Walk: Route Maps, Stages, Distances and Statistics

Complete Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk in 16 Amazing Stages

The United Kingdom is a treasure trove of long-distance trails, with the Coast to Coast walk standing as one of its most iconic. Devised by renowned British fell-walker and illustrator, Alfred Wainwright, the Coast to Coast walk offers a panoramic view of England’s finest landscapes. Wainwright, whose legacy spans from 1907 to 1991, is best remembered for his intricate guidebooks on the Lake District.

Yet, it was in 1973 that he introduced a route traversing Northern England, a grand journey spanning from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. This introduction birthed the legendary Coast to Coast walk. Extending for roughly 188 miles, this epic journey commences in the charming coastal town of St Bees in Cumbria and culminates at the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

En route, adventurers are greeted by the splendours of three national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors. For the scope of this article, I’ve segmented the 188-mile odyssey into 16 achievable and delightful stages, each designed to be covered in a day. Distances for these stages range from approximately 8 miles to roughly 16 miles.

Naturally, for those seeking a brisker pace, stages can be amalgamated – for instance, combining the 8-mile stretch from Rosthwaite to Grasmere with the subsequent 8-mile journey from Grasmere to Patterdale – to reduce the total number of days on the trail.

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Coast to Coast Walk: Summary of the Stages

Number	Stage Name	Distance	Duration	Map(s)
1	St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge	14¾ miles	7½-8 hours	OS Explorer 303 OL4
2	Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite	14¾ miles	7-7½ hours	OS Explorer OL4
3	Rosthwaite to Grasmere	8¼ miles	4½-5 hours	OS Explorer OL4 OL7
4	Grasmere to Patterdale	7¾ miles	4-4½ hours	OS Explorer OL5 OL7
5	Patterdale to Shap	15¾ miles	8-8½ hours	OS Explorer OL5
6	Shap to Orton	8 miles	3½-4 hours	OS Explorer OL5 OL19
7	Orton to Kirkby Stephen	12¾ miles	5½-6 hours	OS Explorer OL19
8	Kirkby Stephen to Keld	11½ miles	5-5½ hours	OS Explorer OL19 OL30
9	Keld to Reeth	11 miles	5½-6 hours	OS Explorer OL30
10	Reeth to Richmond	10½ miles	4½-5 hours	OS Explorer OL30 304
11	Richmond to Danby Wiske	14¼ miles	5½-6 hours	OS Explorer 302 304
12	Danby Wiske to Osmotherley	11½ miles	5-5½ hours	OS Explorer 302 OL26
13	Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top	11 miles	5½-6 hours	OS Explorer OL26
14	Clay Bank Top to Blakey Ridge	8¾ miles	4-4½ hours	OS Explorer OL26
15	Blakey Ridge to Grosmont	13¼ miles	5½-6 hours	OS Explorer OL26 OL27
16	Grosmont to Robin Hood’s Bay	15 miles	7-7½ hours	OS Explorer OL27

If you’re tackling the Coast to Coast walk, good maps are essential. As indicated in the table above, the complete route is covered by the following OS Explorer maps available on Amazon: OL4, OL5, OL7, OL19, OL26, OL27, OL30, 302, 303, and 304. Yet, for most walkers, carrying all these will be quite cumbersome.

For a more convenient solution, I suggest the Cicerone Coast to Coast Route Map Booklet. This handy booklet presents the whole route on 1:25,000 OS Explorer maps, perfectly sized to fit into a jacket pocket or the top of a rucksack. It’s a practical alternative for those navigating the trail.

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Coast to Coast Walk: St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

Stage 1 of 16 | 14.7 Miles | 23.6 Kilometres

Kick off your Coast to Coast walk in St Bees, following the north-west clifftop path overlooking St Bees Head, and passing landmarks like Fleswick and the St Bees Lighthouse. After the lighthouse, shift north-east on the coastal trail, then venture east inland to Sandwith. Traverse the serene countryside, stopping at Moor Row before veering south-east to Cleator. From here, brace yourself for a climb up Dent, descend into the Uldale valley, and journey north-east passing Nannycatch Gate and the shadows of Flat Fell to conclude this stage at Ennerdale Bridge.

St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite

Stage 2 of 16 | 14.7 Miles | 23.5 Kilometres

Starting from Ennerdale Bridge, head due east to the picturesque Ennerdale Water, strolling along its southern shores. Continue your journey east through the dense Ennerdale Forest nestled in the Ennerdale valley until you reach Black Sail Hut. A challenging climb north-east from the valley leads to Drum House on Fleetwith. Descend towards the Honister Pass Slate Mine, follow the paths eastward alongside the Honister Pass road, through Seatoller, concluding in Rosthwaite.

Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Rosthwaite to Grasmere

Stage 3 of 16 | 8.2 Miles | 13.1 Kilometres

Departing Rosthwaite, venture south-east, tracing Stonethwaite Beck through the valley. Pass Stonethwaite Bridge, and persist south-east to Galleny Force. Continue following the water’s trail, Greenup Gill, then ascend from the valley, setting your sights on Greenup Edge. Veer south-east over Grasmere Common, descend into the Easedale valley, passing Easedale, and arriving in Grasmere.

Rosthwaite to Grasmere: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Grasmere to Patterdale

Stage 4 of 16 | 7.8 Miles | 12.5 Kilometres

Embark north-west from Grasmere to Goody Bridge, then head north till you encounter the River Rothay. Ascend north-east through the valley, aiming for Hause Gap nestled between Seat Sandal and Fairfield. Descend to Grisedale Tarn, and follow Grisedale Beck’s path through Grisedale to your destination, Patterdale.

Grasmere to Patterdale: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Patterdale to Shap

Stage 5 of 16 | 15.7 Miles | 25.0 Kilometres

From Patterdale, journey south-east, ascending to Boredale Hause. Continue this uphill trajectory, passing landmarks such as Angletarn Pikes and Angle Tarn, eventually reaching The Knott. Then, shift direction east to Kidsty Pike. A downward journey via Kidsty Howes brings you to Haweswater Reservoir. Follow its western edge to Burnbanks at the reservoir’s northern tip. Head east, exploring the countryside, passing Shap Abbey, and concluding your walk in Shap.

Patterdale to Shap: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Shap to Orton

Stage 6 of 16 | 8.0 Miles | 12.8 Kilometres

Commence from Shap, moving south-east until the M6 motorway footbridge comes into view. Cross this motorway, continuing your south-east trajectory towards Oddendale. Wander across the moorlands, cresting Crosby Ravensworth Fell, then move eastward, descending into the Dina Gill valley. Take the southern path via Orton Scar, finishing in Orton village.

Shap to Orton: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Orton to Kirkby Stephen

Stage 7 of 16 | 12.7 Miles | 20.3 Kilometres

Embark east from Orton along the B6261, then transition off-road, traversing the countryside to reach Sunbiggin. Moving south-east from Sunbiggin, ascend to Tarn Moor, passing Sunbiggin Tarn. Keep a south-east trajectory, following the Dales High Way across Ravenstonedale Moor. Head east to Begin Hill, descend into the Smardale Gill valley, reach Smardale Bridge, and then continue north-east across the Smardale Fell landscape, wrapping up this stage in Kirkby Stephen.

Orton to Kirkby Stephen: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Kirkby Stephen to Keld

Stage 8 of 16 | 11.5 Miles | 18.4 Kilometres

Set off east from Kirkby Stephen, moving towards Hartley Quarries. Transition to a south-east route, passing Birkett Hill, and ascend Hartley Fell. Cross the expansive moorland to reach Nine Standards Rigg. Proceed south across the moors, passing by White Mossy Hill and Lady Dike Head, before heading eastward to the serene Whitsundale Beck at Ravenseat. Move south-east along the valley, following the beck to Cotterby Scar, with the majestic River Swale in view below. A short south-east journey brings you to Keld.

Kirkby Stephen to Keld: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Keld to Reeth

Stage 9 of 16 | 11.1 Miles | 17.7 Kilometres

Embark on an eastward journey from Keld, crossing the River Swale and reaching Crackpot Hall. Move north-east to the Swinner Gill Lead Mines located at the Swinner Gill valley’s head. Ascend from the valley and traverse the moorland before descending into the Gunnerside Gill valley. Journey eastward, leaving the valley, passing the Old Gang Mines to Hard Level Gill. Trace Mill Gill down the valley to Surrender Bridge, and continue beneath Calver Hill’s southern side, arriving in Reeth.

Keld to Reeth: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Reeth to Richmond

Stage 10 of 16 | 10.4 Miles | 16.7 Kilometres

Initiate your trek south-east from Reeth, passing through Low Fremington to the River Swale near Grinton. Continue alongside the river eastwards to Marrick Priory, then take the north-eastern uphill path to Marrick. Maintain a north-eastern direction over the hills to Marske, moving towards Applegarth Scar and East Applegarth. Traverse through Whitecliffe Wood, and upon nearing Richmond, spot the Wainwright Coast to Coast bench.

Reeth to Richmond: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Richmond to Danby Wiske

Stage 11 of 16 | 14.2 Miles | 22.8 Kilometres

Departing Richmond, take a moment to admire the River Swale’s waterfalls in the town centre. Head east along the river’s southern side, passing Colburn Hall, until reaching Brompton-on-Swale. After crossing the River Swale near Catterick Bridge, maintain an eastward trajectory to Bolton-on-Swale. Move south-east, wandering through the countryside to Ellerton Bridge, and continue east until reaching Danby Wiske.

Richmond to Danby Wiske: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Danby Wiske to Osmotherley

Stage 12 of 16 | 11.4 Miles | 18.4 Kilometres

Set out from Danby Wiske via Danby Lane, then navigate the flat landscape of the Vale of Mowbray. This route, consisting of farmland paths and country lanes, leads to the A19. Cross into Ingleby Arncliffe, pass through Ingleby Cross, and cross the A172. Ascend through Arncliffe Wood and South Wood. Follow the Cleveland Way southward, ending this leg in Osmotherley.

Danby Wiske to Osmotherley: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top

Stage 13 of 16 | 11.0 Miles | 17.6 Kilometres

Embark northward from Osmotherley, following the Cleveland Way, and traverse Scarth Wood Moor, descending to Scugdale. Ascend to Round Hill and the Cleveland Hills, following the eastern path across several rises and falls, passing landmarks like Lordstones and Wain Stones. Conclude this stretch by descending to the B1257 at Clay Bank Top.

Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Clay Bank Top to Blakey Ridge

Stage 14 of 16 | 8.7 Miles | 13.9 Kilometres

Start from the B1257 at Clay Bank Top, moving eastward uphill via Carr Ridge to Round Hill on Urra Moor. Adhere to the Cleveland Way eastward to Bloworth Crossing. Circle Farndale’s head, and proceed south-east across Farndale Moor, concluding this journey at The Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge.

Clay Bank Top to Blakey Ridge: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Blakey Ridge to Grosmont

Stage 15 of 16 | 13.2 Miles | 21.2 Kilometres

Head north, following Blakey Ridge’s main road to Rosedale Head, and move east across Danby High Moor. Reach the top of Great Fryup Dale, then venture north-east across Glaisdale Moor and along Glaisdale Rigg, leading to Glaisdale village. Follow the Esk Valley Walk by the River Esk, passing through Delves and Egton Bridge, and continue along the trail to Grosmont.

Blakey Ridge to Grosmont: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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Coast to Coast Walk: Grosmont to Robin Hood’s Bay

Stage 16 of 16 | 15.1 Miles | 24.1 Kilometres

Begin your journey from Grosmont, crossing the countryside and farmland before ascending to Sleights Moor, where you’ll meet the A169. Cross this road and make your descent into Littlebeck. Travel south through the woodland nature reserve, passing by The Hermitage, until you arrive at the enchanting Falling Foss waterfall. From the valley, head north-east, ascending onto Low Moor and crossing Graystone Hills. Continue north through the countryside toward Hawsker. Proceed eastward, skirting around High Hawsker, and then trek across the fields to approach the clifftops. Conclude your Coast to Coast walk by tracing the Cleveland Way coastal path south all the way to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Grosmont to Robin Hood’s Bay: Distance, Duration, Statistics

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