Coast to Coast (Wainwright's): St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay
About this trip.
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St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay
Wainwright's Coast to Coast starts at St Bees and runs to Robin Hood's Bay. Along the way it crosses three national parks. From St Bees you follow the Irish Sea coast, then head over the Cumbrian mountains and through the Lake District and picturesque Borrowdale. After crossing the Westmorland plateau you reach the northern Yorkshire Dales and pass through Swaledale to Richmond, a bustling, historic Yorkshire town with an impressive castle. Next comes a flatter stretch across the Vale of York. The route then climbs into the North York Moors, the third and final national park, and runs through miles of isolated moorland before reaching the coast at Robin Hood's Bay.
This itinerary follows the National Trail route. That includes the new section between Richmond and Ingleby Arncliffe, which goes via East Rounton and the bridge over the A19.
Sixteen days on the trail
You arrive in St Bees on day one and leave after breakfast on day sixteen. The fourteen walking days in between range from 8.5 to 20 miles. You stay overnight at Ennerdale Bridge, Rosthwaite, Grasmere, Patterdale, Shap, Kirkby Stephen, Keld, Reeth, Richmond, Danby Wiske, Ingleby Arncliffe, Clay Bank Top and Glaisdale. The longest day is Shap to Kirkby Stephen at 20 miles. The shortest is Grasmere to Patterdale at 8.5 miles. The last two days are also long: 18.5 miles to Glaisdale, then 19 miles to the coast.
Terrain and navigation
The walk covers rugged mountains, rolling hill country, moorland and low-lying farmland. There are some strenuous, steep sections in the Lake District, but nothing a fit and agile walker can't manage. Some stretches are remote, and you can walk for miles without passing anywhere people live. The route is famous but not always well waymarked, so you need to be able to read a map and navigate, especially if the weather turns. The highest point is Rampsgill Head in the Lake District, at 771 metres. Total ascent is 7935 metres and total descent 7927 metres.
What's included
Your accommodation is en-suite bed and breakfast. If every en-suite option is booked, a room with a private bathroom is sought, and you're asked before anything non-en-suite is confirmed. Luggage is moved between overnight stops each day. This covers one bag per walker, up to 20kg, and extra bags can be moved at additional cost. You also get maps and guidebooks for the walk, plus route notes and maps showing how to find each night's B&B. If a B&B isn't within easy walking distance of the trail, transfers between the route and your accommodation are covered. You also get details of any special facilities your hosts offer, suggestions for where to eat each evening, telephone support and advice on getting to the start and home from the finish.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on the Coast to Coast. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
