Guided Coast to Coast Part 1 Walking Holiday Dossier

This is an 83 mile guided walking holiday following Wainwrights Coast to Coast route across Cumbria. Five days hiking are in the Lake District National Park. This tour is a group walking holiday with a guide. You walk from west to east through stunning scenery, crossing the Lake District Mountains. Typically you travel to the village of St Bees on the Cumbria coast, meet your guide and fellow walkers in the evening, and overnight ready to start your walk the following morning.

The route follows the coastline before heading east and entering the Lake District National Park. The Lake District is home to spectacular lake and mountain scenery. Although not high the mountains are rugged with steep footpaths. From Shap the route levels to cross the undulating farmland between the Lake District and the Pennines.

This is a challenging 'trek' and should not be under estimated, the mountains of the Lake District are rugged and gradients can be steep, so before you embark on this walk you must be physically fit, and equipped to meet it. The terrain on this trail is a diversity of rocky mountain paths, limestone plateau’s, country lanes, rolling hillsides and farmland.

Our guided coast to coast holidays are group holidays with a guide. Each night on the trail you stay in a different village along the route in selected accommodation, with full English breakfast provided. Your luggage is transferred for you between overnight accommodation, the minibus service will also transfer you with your luggage if you need to miss a days walking.

Start point
St Bees, Cumbria

End point
Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

Direction of walk
West to East

Group size
There will be a maximum of 12 people plus guide on your holiday.

Grade
A challenging route walked at a steady pace and therefore a good level of fitness (stamina and cardiovascular) is required.

Terrain
The terrain varies from rocky paths to farmland and country lanes. The Lake District provide the challenge of some steep ascents and descents (perfect if you like walking in the mountains and hills).

Included in the price of your holiday

  • 8 nights accommodation with full English breakfast

  • Experienced guide

  • Luggage transfer between accommodation

  • Personal accommodation to accommodation transfer if required

Not included in the price of your holiday
Evening meals, packed lunches, drinks and snacks, travel insurance, travel to St Bees and from Kirkby Stephen, souvenirs, etc.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in a variety of selected comfortable B&Bs, Guest Houses, small hotels and Inns. Types and standards of accommodation vary from village to village, and room sizes and facilities vary within accommodation. Many properties are hundreds of years old, and although many rooms have been converted to ensuite (or have a private bathroom) it has not been possible to do so in some properties or rooms due to space limitations or buildings having listed status (a property preservation order). You can expect to share a bathroom (i.e. have non ensuite/private bathroom) for one or two nights of a full tour.

Guide
Your experienced Guide will provide daily information about the route, and guide the way. Your Guide will provide information about your accommodation and places to eat in the evening, etc. Your Guide is first aid trained.

Luggage transfer
For the duration of the holiday your luggage is transferred from accommodation to accommodation by a luggage transfer agent. Luggage allowance is 1 bag/person weighing not more than 20kg (44lbs).

Personal transfer
If required personal transfer from accommodation to accommodation is available.

Meals
A full English breakfast is included in the cost of your holiday and is served at your accommodation. Packed lunches (average cost £5) are available to buy from your accommodation or local shop, and evening meals (average cost £12) are generally available from local pubs (see itinerary below for further information).

Extra nights accommodation
You can add extra nights accommodation in St Bees or Kirkby Stephen. Price £38 per person per night.

Weather
The weather in Northern England is best described as changeable but we do get long dry warm spells. You should be prepared for all possibilities as weather, particularly in the mountains, can change quickly. Weather statistics are available from the Met Office at www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/

Clothing
Good outdoor clothing and waterproofs are essential.

Footwear
Comfortable walking boots which provide good grip on multiple terrain and ankle support are recommended.

Equipment
Specialist equipment is not required for this walking holiday. A suggested equipment list will be sent to you with your booking confirmation.

Laundrette
There is a laundrette in Kirkby Stephen.

Travel
For information on travelling to and from the route please click here


Route description

The following is intended to provide some further information about the route and points of interest. Please note that all distances, timings and heights are approximate and along with all the other information are provided as an aid to describe the route. The time to cover the distance includes time spent walking and time for breaks. If further information is required please contact our office. Several guide books providing detailed route descriptions and information are also available.

Day 1 St Bees
The seaside village of St Bees on the Cumbria (west) coast is the official starting point for Wainwrights world famous Coast to Coast walk.

Day 2 St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge (village height above sea level 100M).
Distance 14 miles - Strenuous - Height Gain 685m/2250ft – 7.5 hours
A plaque on the seafront marks the start of Wainwrights coast to coast walk. Tradition says to dip your toe in the sea and then collect a small pebble to carry with you to the east coast. Initially our route heads north along the coastal path with views of Scotland and the Isle of Man. We leave the coastal path and head east towards the Lake District Mountains. The route passes through the villages of Sandwith, Moor Row and Cleator followed by a steep walk up Dent (352M), the high point of the day. Admire the views before continuing across the hilltop and descending steeply down a forest track to Nannycatch Beck. We follow the beck and then a roadside path to Ennerdale Bridge.

Day 3 Ennerdale Bridge (100M) to Rosthwaite (100M).
Distance 14 miles - Strenuous - Height Gain 530m/1740ft - 8 hours
We follow the country lanes to Ennerdale Water then the rocky path along the banks of the Lake. At the far end of the Lake we take the forest track that climbs gradually along Ennerdale valley to the remote Black Sail Hut YHA (290M). From the YHA continue to the bottom of Loft Beck and a steep ascent to the high point of the day at 600M. The views back to the sea are spectacular. We follow the rocky path across the fell and descend to Honister (330M). Continue descending into the beautiful Borrowdale valley to the village of Seatoller (120M) then follow the footpaths to Rosthwaite.

Day 4 Rosthwaite (100M) to Grasmere (75M).
Distance 10 miles - Strenuous - Height Gain 530m/1740ft - 6 hours
We take the track alongside Stonethwaite Beck then a rocky path climbing steadily alongside Greenup Gill. We walk steeply up the steps and rocks (a bit tricky but not technical) to the left side of Lining Crag (500M) and admire the views to the north and east. Continue to Greenup Edge, today’s high point at 620M, and then descend the rocky path to the head of Far Easedale. Your guide then considers several factors and decides to either follow the ridge walk across Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag before descending steeply into Grasmere or take the less arduous route down Far Easedale.

Day 5 Grasmere (75M) to Patterdale/Glenridding (150M).
Distance 8 miles - Strenuous - Height Gain 505m/1655ft - 5 hours
We follow the lane to Mill Bridge then take the rocky path which climbs steadily alongside Tongue Gill to Grisedale Tarn (550M). From Grisedale Tarn we follow the route down hill alongside Grisedale Beck to Patterdale valley.

Day 6 Patterdale/Glenridding (150M) to Bampton Grange (175M).
Distance 13 miles - Strenuous - Height Gain 760m/2500ft - 7.5 hours
A short valley walk then a sharp steep walk up to Boredale Hause (400M), the rocky path now climbs with less gradient past Angle Tarn and Satura Crag (600M), it descends to 500M and then climbs sharply again to round The Knott (739M). We then walk a short section of High Street. Our final Lakeland summit is Kidsty Pike (780M) the highest point on route. From here look back across the Lake District and then turn to view the Eden Valley and the Pennine Mountains. We descend gradually at first then steeply down to Haweswater (250M), and follow the rocky path alongside the banks of the reservoir to Burnbanks. We then follow the country lanes to Bampton Grange.

Day 7 Bampton Grange (175M) to Orton (230M).
Distance 12 miles - Moderate - Height Gain 200m/650ft - 6 hours
The Lake District Mountains are left behind and the gradients ease to cross the rolling farmland and hills in Eden Valley. We follow the footpaths across the limestone plateau passing the secluded hamlet of Oddendale and the granite boulders deposited by ice age glaciers.

Day 8 Orton (230M) to Kirkby Stephen (180M).
Distance 12 miles - Moderate - Height Gain 100m/325ft - 6 hours
We continue over rolling farmland and across the moors passing Sunbiggin, the hidden remains of several ancient settlements, and Smardale Bridge.

Day 9 Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen is a small market town situated in the Eden Valley.