Self-Guided England Coast-to-Coast

• This itinerary represents our standard itinerary. There are other variations possible, depending on your timeframe and level of hiking ability. Please contact us if you would like a more detailed itinerary including elevation gain, loss, distance, and additional information.

Day 1: Independent travel to Goathland
Goathland is considered one of the most picturesque towns in the North Yorkshire Moors, with its wonderful stone houses bordered by a broad, grassy common. Black-faced sheep still graze the village common and surrounding moorland, their owners holding common rights that have been passed down over hundreds of years. The 70-foot waterfall Mallyan Spout is a short walk from the center of town. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 2: Whitby to Goathland
You begin your hike in Whitby, a wonderful old seaside resort. After dipping your boots in the sea you'll head west following the Eskdale Way as it parallels the River Esk. Once an old monk’s way between the Abbey at Whitby and the Chapel in Grosmont, the route still bears the flagstones laid to protect the monks’ habits from the mud. You will end your day back in the village of Goathland. Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Goathland to Rosedale Abbey:
From Goathland, you begin the day hiking a short section of the Wheeldale Roman Road, one of the best-preserved Roman roads in England. Heading out across the heather-covered expanses of Wheeldale Moor, White Moor, and Shunner Howe, we’ll pass the standing stone of Blue Man-i'-th'-Moss, ending our day in the old mining town of Rosedale Abbey. Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Rosedale Abbey to Great Broughton
Today you cross the High Blakey, Farndale, and Urra moors. Here you'll encounter the Cleveland Hills, where the route parallels two other well-known British walks, the Cleveland Way and the Lyke Wake Walk. After crossing Clay Bank Top, also known as Hagg’s Gate, we’ll reach the curious stone outcroppings of The Wainstones before descending into Great Broughton. Meals Included: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 5: Great Broughton to Richmond
Hiking along the impressive Boughton and Kirby banks, you’ll rise to the crest of Cringle Moor with its views of the surrounding Cleveland Hills. Continuing along an undulating escarpment, you cross Carlton Moor, a popular area for the sport of gliding, and then Live Moor before descending through the Clain and Arncliffe Woods, ending your day in the village of Osmotherley, a picturesque village of old stone buildings. 

From Osmotherley, you will transfer by van across the Vale of Mowbray to Richmond. Still possessing an air of quaint antiquity, Richmond is dominated by an 11th century Norman cliff-top castle and boasts a large cobbled marketplace with the ancient church of Holy Trinity as its centerpiece. A mixture of stone and brick buildings spread down the hillside in a maze of narrow streets. Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Richmond to Reeth
You will have a chance to explore the lovely market town of Richmond before beginning your walk. Just outside Richmond, you enter the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and from here, the walk to Reeth is one of variety. The landscape of limestone escarpments, rich meadows, and "leafy becks" serves as a backdrop for the two lovely villages and priory you will pass along the way. You will end your day with a short transfer to your country inn. Meals Included: Breakfast 

Day 7: Reeth to Thwaite
Today you’ll have a wonderful riverside walk along the River Swale. Meandering beside the river’s edge and then turning up through rich, green pastures checked with dry stonewalls, your route will take us to the villages of Gunnerside and Muker before ending in the tiny hamlet of Thwaite. Transfer from Thwaite back to the inn. Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Thwaite to Hawes
Departing the classic Wainwright route, today you'll head south to the beautiful valley of Wensleydale. Leaving Thwaite, you join another well-known long-distance footpath, “The Pennine Way,” and begin our climb up the north side of Great Shunner Fell. After reaching the summit at 2,363 feet, you’ll have a long, gradual descent into Wensleydale. Here you will be staying at the Stone House Hotel, a fine Edwardian country house set amidst old English gardens, offering expansive views of the Valley. Meals Included: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 9: Hawes: Rest day in Hawes
The day can be spent exploring the nearby market town of Hawes or relaxing at a wonderful Edwardian hotel. Located at the upper end of the Wensleydale Valley in the Northern Yorkshire Dales, Hawes is an active livestock market town. Its attractive main street is lined with old stone buildings, cafes, pubs, and shops. The Wensleydale Creamery, famous for its cheese, is located here, as is the Dales Countryside Museum. Meals Included: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 10: Hawes to Haweswater Reservoir
From the Stone House Hotel, you will transfer to the trailhead just past the town of Orton to begin your hike to Haweswater Reservoir. You join the course of an ancient Roman road, following it over open, rolling terrain. A short detour brings you to the site of the remains of a mysterious stone circle. Hiking through the village of Shap, you will continue through a well-preserved and protected countryside of lakes and high fells. You will stop to visit the remains of Shap Abbey before continuing on to the Haweswater Reservoir and your hotel. Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11: Haweswater Reservoir to Glenridding
You are now entering what some consider the finest section of the Coast-to-Coast route, the Lake District. Leaving the Haweswater Hotel, your hike continues along the reservoir, passing several falling “becks,” or streams, before beginning our climb up Kidsty Peak (2,600′), the highest point of the route. The downhill path then leads along a four-mile stretch with expansive views. You’ll skirt the mountain lake of Angle Tarn on your way to the pass at Boredale Hause, descending to Glenridding and our stopping place for the night. Meals Included: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 12: Glenridding to Grasmere
This is Wordsworth country, an area of classic English beauty, for decades attracting artists and poets. Your route takes you up the valley of Grisedale along Grisedale Beck, past the lake of Grisedale Tarn, and over Grisedale Hause (pass). Just before Grisedale Tarn is a plaque commemorating the “Brother’s Parting.” This is where Wordsworth bid his brother, John, a memorial goodbye in 1800. His brother was lost at sea in 1805. On a clear day, you should have your first glimpse of the Irish Sea from Grisedale Hause.

Day 13: Grasmere to Wasdale Head
Today will be a long and challenging day, beginning with a transfer to the end of Great Lansdale Valley. Following the valley to its terminus, you then begin your climb up to Rossett Pike (1,980′). From here you'll descend slightly to Angle Tarn and climb again to the pass at Esk Hause (2,500′). The descent will take you past Sparkling Tarn and Sty Head, then just beneath the buttresses of Great Gable, Kirk Fell, and the highest fell in England, Scafell Pike (3,209’), ending at Wasdale Head. Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 14: Wasdale Head to Ravenglass:
Leaving Wasdale Head, you hike up over Eskdale Moor. After passing Burnmoor Tarn, which lies between Eskdale Fell and Illgill Head, you will descend to the little hamlet of Boot. Here you can stop for lunch at the pub before continuing to Ravenglass. 

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway runs from Dalegarth, a short distance from Boot, to Ravenglass. One of the oldest and longest narrow-gauge railways in England, it first began transporting iron ore in 1875 and later took on passengers. Today it’s a heritage railway overseen by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society. 

After walking the short distance from Boot to Dalegarth, you’ll board the train, affectionately called “Old Ratty.” A 15-minute train ride will bring you to Irton. From here you’ll hike up over the high bluff of Muncaster Fell and on to Muncaster Castle. After walking through the grounds of Muncaster Castle with its impressive rhododendron groves, you will have your first glimpse of the Irish Sea.

On your way to Ravenglass, you will pass the ruins of a Roman settlement before arriving at the shore. Dipping your boots in the sea will officially mark the end of your journey. From Ravenglass, you'll start making your way back to the Manchester area, stopping for the evening Austwick on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Meals Included: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 15: Depart
Independent travel onward.