Coast to Coast Walk

Coast to Coast Walk

An iconic walk across England via the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

3 to 19 nights
18-190 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous

From £378 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

Created by Alfred Wainwright, the Coast to Coast Walk crosses the breadth of the North of England from St Bees on the west coast to Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast. Some of the most varied and beautiful scenery in the country lies ahead, spread over three National Parks.

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk clambers the rugged mountains of the Lake District to earn views over glittering tarns. It winds through the pretty valleys of the Yorkshire Dales and sets out across the expansive heather moorland of the North York Moors. Dramatic coastal scenery waits at the end, with a twisting descent to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Choose this country-crossing walking holiday and explore the best landscapes of Northern England.

At long last, this well-known walking holiday is on its way to recognition as a National Trail. The work is still in progress, but anyone walking the Coast to Coast will notice brand-new waymarkers going in, complete with the National Trail acorn. It’s an exciting time for one of Contours Holidays’ best-loved routes!

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Coast to Coast Walk
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Coast to Coast Walk - East Section
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Coast to Coast Walk - West Section
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Coast to Coast Short Break - Central Section
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Coast to Coast Short Break - West Section

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

Trail running tours available

We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.

About this route

6 to 9 nights
83 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous
1st April to 20th October
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £735 per person

Coast to Coast Walk - West Section

The west section of the Coast to Coast Walk traverses the Lake District National Park from the cliffs of St Bees Head to the old market town of Kirkby Stephen. The Lake District features rugged fells and quiet valleys filled with wildlife, offering variety and intrigue at every turn.

Each town and village along the route boasts its own unique charm and history. Some locations of note include the impressive priory church of St Mary and St Bega in St Bees, and the ‘bound devil’ found in St Stephen’s Church in Kirkby Stephen.

Walking Wainwright's Coast to Coast with Contours Walking Holidays

Outdoor Journalist Damian Hall takes a walk from St. Bees in the east to Robin Hood's Bay in the west, traversing the width of the North of England through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
Watch Now

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
CCWW0 From St Bees to Kirkby Stephen 6 nights, 5 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £735
CCWW1 From St Bees to Kirkby Stephen 7 nights, 6 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £851
CCWW2 From St Bees to Kirkby Stephen 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate / Demanding £966
CCWW3 From St Bees to Kirkby Stephen 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate £1082

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
CCWSBC From Keld to Richmond 3 nights, 2 days walking Moderate £378

Customer reviews from the Coast to Coast Walk - West Section

“This is our second time to use your company & plan to travel with you again in 2022 to complete final half of Coast to Coast.”
Mr McIntyre, UK
“Of the Contours holidays we take, we thought the accommodation standard was the best we have had, loved having so many baths!”
Mrs Taylor, UK
“Thank you for a great third walk with Contours!”
Mr Willcox, Australia
“Very well organised and smooth.”
Dr Bristow, UK
“We had a great time in Britain again and really enjoyed all of our accommodations.”
Mr Verschaeren, Netherlands
“We had a great trip despite very poor weather. The arrangements made by Contours Holidays were thorough and accurate. Some of the B&Bs were simple. But the variety of accommodation and the interactions with the home owners were a great part of the trip and we wouldn't change it.”
Mr Proudman, UK
“The first half of the Coast2Coast holiday was very well organised and planned and we had a fabulous time. Over seven days there was not one hitch and it was very memorable.”
Ms Mikkelsen, UK
“It was the most beautiful long distance walk we did so far (walking from St Bees to Kirkby Stephen, really fantastic scenery.”
Mr Drewe, Belgium
“Good walk; well organised.”
Mr Young, UK
Find your holiday