Coast to Coast Rambler Walk - 20 Days

Make your own way to the starting point, the resort of St Bees on the edge of the Irish Sea where you'll have views across to the Isle of Man (but that's another trip). In St Bees you should have time to visit the Abbey church, which has features on the local history and a display on a mummified knight that was discovered in a lead coffin from the graveyard. If you have booked with us an extra night here, you can follow the coastal path or quiet inland roads to the attractive town of Whitehaven, with its marina and great museum. Whitehaven is famous in the annals of the US navy as the site of an elaborate raid on the British mainland by one John Paul Jones during the American War of Independence. Accommodation: A family-run bed and breakfast in a large modernised Georgian farmhouse in the centre of St Bees.

Take the first steps on the epic Coast to Coast walk when you climb from the beach at St Bees. Follow the footpath along red sandstone coastal cliffs off St Bees Head, home to England’s only breeding colony of Black Guillemots, then head inland over hilly ground to the edge of the Lake District National Park and your overnight stop at Cleator. For this extended itinerary we've begun with a shorter day than most other itineraries so you can find your hiking legs. Accommodation: Overnight at a small hotel on the edge of the Lake District National Park. The day’s total ascent 485m / descent 430m.

Departing Cleator, your walk enters the Lake District National Park as you traverse Dent Hill via the lovely Nannycatch Gate and Beck. A delightful stroll which brings you to the final descent to leafy Ennerdale Bridge. Your second day on the trail is also a short hike so you can begin to relax into the trekking routine. Enjoy a coffee and cake at the cafe in Ennerdale (or a pint at the pub) when you arrive. Accommodation: Overnight at a friendly, family-owned hotel. A traditional feel is retained by the hotel, with its open fire, and the fully licensed bar serves a range of beverages including locally produced ale. If we are unable to book you into Ennerdale then we will secure accommodation for you at Cleator with a return taxi transfer that we will put in place for you (own expense). The day’s total ascent 463 / descent 424m.

Follow a quiet and scenic footpath along the shore of Ennerdale Water, with an easy scramble under Angler’s Crag at Robin Hood’s Seat. A long walk on a forest track continues to Black Sail Hut, which is the smallest youth hostel in England and originally a shepherd’s hut. A steep climb follows up Loft Beck before traversing some of the Lakeland fells with views down to Buttermere on a good day. Finally you reach the ‘drum house’, which marks the descent path to the Honister Slate Mine workings & cafe and Borrowdale. This is perhaps the most delightful valley in the Lakes with its crags and broadleaved trees. Borrowdale is an ensemble of hamlets: Seatoller (close to the wettest place in England), Longthwaite, Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite. Riverside paths connect these places and their pubs together - if you have sufficient energy left for the evening. You might be interested to know that ‘thwaite’ is old Norse for paddock. Note: there is the option to shorten the walk today by taking a taxi from Honister Slate Mine to your accommodation in Borrowdale. If you wish to take this option, please confirm with your booking. This would reduce the walk duration by 5km/3 miles and relieve your knees of the descent into the valley. There is also a bus service, but it does not go directly to most accommodations Accommodation: Your hotel tonight is located in the Borrowdale Valley near the hamlet of Seatoller. It has striking views over the local fells. The day’s total ascent 765m / descent 785m.

Enjoy classic Lakeland scenery over Greenup Edge to Easedale and Grasmere. Its a stiff 500m climb up to the edge via Lining Crag where you may get great views back down into Borrowdale. The once boggy trail over the pass has been improved with the laying down of hundreds of Flagstones. After the pass the trail becomes rough and descends steeply into the flower meadows on the outskirts of Grasmere. There is also a good weather variant to climb Helm Crag with good views over the town. Grasmere is one of Lakeland’s most celebrated villages and you might have time either this afternoon or tomorrow morning to visit the poet Wordsworth's home at Dove Cottage and drop into the famous Ginger bread shop! Accommodation: We use a number of different hotels and guesthouses in the busy village of Grasmere. Grasmere makes a great rest day stop if you'd like to extend your hike and take more time to enjoy the Lake District. Discuss the option of spending an extra night here with your travel consultant when you book. The day’s total ascent 750m / descent 760m

A great walk over Grisedale Pass (609m/2000ft) and around the small mountain lake of Grisedale Tarn to Patterdale. In good weather and if you are feeling strong, we recommend that you take the detour route up St Sunday Crag (add 1½ hours). It will give some exceptional views down across Ullswater on the descend to Patterdale, possibly the most breathtaking of the trip. Another detour option is via the summit of Helvellyn, for this add 2 miles and 2 hours. Accommodation: Tonight’s accommodation is a family-run guesthouse. It is located in the centre of Glenridding alongside Glenridding Beck, situated at the southern top of Ullswater - the second largest lake in the Lake District. The day’s total ascent: 525m / descent 443m or 900m / descent 805m (via the optional route over St Sunday Crag).

The standard Coast to Coast stage from Glenridding to Shap is widely regarded as the most challenging of the entire route. Instead, you may prefer our recommended alternative: a gentler, more scenic journey via Ullswater and Askham Fell. Begin by boarding the historic Ullswater Steamer for a one-hour cruise to Pooley Bridge, with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding fells. Many of these elegant vessels date back to the 1880s and remain in service today, adding to the charm of the experience. From Pooley Bridge, walk across the rolling expanse of Askham Fell, descending towards Bampton and the meandering River Lowther, before continuing on to Shap Abbey – a striking 12th-century ruin dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. Pooley Bridge to Shap via Askham Fell (16km/10 miles – 309m ascent, 199m descent) Standard Hike via Kidsty Pike (26km/16 m – 1175m ascent, 1009m descent) - details for this will also be provided should you choose to hike this day. Accommodation: A guesthouse or one of the local hostelries in Shap.