Coast to Coast Path: St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay

From St Bees to the Lake District fells

St Bees sits on the shores of the Irish Sea, and this itinerary walks the whole Coast to Coast route from there in 12 days. It is the shortest of the full-length versions. The longest day is 23 miles and no day is shorter than 11, so you need a good level of fitness. From St Bees the path climbs the sandstone cliffs of the headland, then turns inland over farmland and foothills to Ennerdale Bridge, where the Lake District begins. It runs up Ennerdale beneath Pillar Rock and climbs to Brandreth, with views of Great Gable and the Buttermere valley, before dropping into Borrowdale via Honister.

The next stage climbs up remote Greenup Gill, then comes down to Grasmere, either through the valley of Far Easedale or over the Lion and the Lamb, with Lakeland fells in view all round. From Grasmere you cross the pass at Grisedale Tarn, or go over the summit of Helvellyn, England's third highest mountain, and descend to Patterdale on the shore of Ullswater. The remotest walking of the route follows, over Kidsty Pike and down to Haweswater and on to Shap.

Limestone, moorland and the Yorkshire Dales

After the Lakes, the walk from Shap to Kirkby Stephen is undulating rather than mountainous. It follows limestone scarps and moorland paths through Orton and past many prehistoric sites. Beyond Kirkby Stephen the route climbs to Nine Standards, high above the Eden valley, and goes on into Swaledale, one of the longest and quietest parts of the Yorkshire Dales. Here you cross open moorland marked by drystone walls and field barns, with stretches of riverside path through the farming villages of Keld and Reeth. Near Richmond the moors give way to woodland. Richmond is the largest town on the route, with a cobbled market place below its castle, first built in the 11th century, and it's worth a day off.

The Vale of Mowbray and the North York Moors

After Richmond comes the only long low-level stretch of the route. It crosses the farmland of the Vale of Mowbray, often on country lanes. The North York Moors begin at Ingleby Arncliffe, where the path climbs through woodland and follows the steep northern edge of the moors, with wide views north over gritstone outcrops and grouse moor. After Great Broughton/Urra the last big climb takes you up to Urra Moor and round the head of Farndale. From there the long descent to the coast begins. The route follows the River Esk from Glaisdale to Egton Bridge and Grosmont, which many people think are the prettiest villages on the walk. It then passes through Littlebeck and its woodland and crosses farmland to the sea cliffs. These lead south to Robin Hood's Bay, a fishing village known for its narrow, steep streets.

Terrain, navigation and weather

Most of the walk is on clear paths, tracks and lanes, but some sections are muddy, wet, rough or steep. Expect a lot of ascent and descent in the Lake District, and the first half is the harder one. Work on the Coast to Coast Path National Trail is improving the signposting, and the route is due to be fully signed once that work is complete in 2026. Even so, the weather can turn quickly, even in summer, so you need to be able to navigate. Comfortable footwear and reliable waterproofs are essential. Thousands of ordinary walkers finish the route every year with reasonable fitness, the right kit and common sense.