Coast to Coast

Check Cumberland Council's St Bees cliff-path closure plan and local diversions before the opening coastal section toward Fleswick Bay (checked 28 September 2026). Coastal cliffs give way to inland fields and villages. Allow for any diversion and the approach from your accommodation to the beach start; the reference distance is not a verified diverted mileage.

Follow Ennerdale Water into a remote valley before the mountain crossing into Borrowdale. Carry your day's provisions; lake-shore and high-level alternatives change the distance and effort.

Climb through Greenup Gill and over Greenup Edge, then descend through Far Easedale. The shorter mileage hides rough, sometimes boggy mountain ground; the Helm Crag ridge is a separate, more exposed alternative.

A sustained climb leads to Grisedale Tarn, followed by the valley descent to Patterdale. Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag are optional high routes with extra climbing and exposure, not included in this section distance.

A demanding crossing via Angle Tarn and Kidsty Pike, followed by the descent to Haweswater. Plan an early start and carry food and water for a long mountain day.

Cross the M6 on the footbridge and enter open limestone country toward Orton. An easier recovery section after the Lakes, but the exposed plateau still calls for food, water and weather protection.

Open moorland and pasture replace the steep Lakeland fells. The gentler gradients still add up to a full walking day before Kirkby Stephen; stock up here before the Pennine crossing.

Climb to Nine Standards Rigg and cross wet Pennine moorland into upper Swaledale. Follow the signed seasonal route to protect the peat; mist and boggy ground can slow progress substantially.

Choose the higher mining-country route or the gentler Swaledale riverside alternative. They have different distances and climbing; select your line before using the mileage as a daily target.

A gentler day through woodland, fields and villages toward Richmond. This is a useful place to allow extra time for the town and to organise the next accommodation and resupply.

A long, lower-level crossing with farmland and stretches of quiet lane. Lower ascent does not make this a short day; carry lunch and confirm your Danby Wiske dinner arrangements ahead.

Continue across the Vale of Mowbray toward the Cleveland Hills. Use the official A19 bridge diversion via East Rounton, then continue toward Osmotherley; check current mapping because this changes older itineraries.

Expect repeated climbs and descents on the Cleveland Hills rather than a level ridge stroll. Confirm the Clay Bank pickup point and arrival window before setting off if staying down in Great Broughton.

Climb Carr Ridge onto Urra Moor, then follow the old railway track from Bloworth Crossing toward the Lion Inn. Gradients ease after the initial climb, but the moorland remains exposed with few facilities.

Leave the open moors for Glaisdale and the wooded Esk Valley, continuing via Egton Bridge to Grosmont. This is a changing mix of moorland, lanes and valley paths; allow time beyond the downhill sections.

The final day still has a steep climb out of Grosmont, moorland and Little Beck woodland before the coastal approach. Finish down in the old village at Robin Hood's Bay; an upper-village bed means climbing back afterward.

Trail finish. Allow time for the old village and seafront, then the uphill return to accommodation on Station Road. A finish-night stay is separate from onward transport.