Coast to Coast: The Lake District – 9 Days
United KingdomCoast to Coast

Coast to Coast: The Lake District – 9 Days

9 Days
Moderate to Challenging

Coast to Coast: The Lake District – 9 Days

from $2,725 / person

Overview

Experience the finest and most dramatic section of England's legendary Coast to Coast walk on this nine-day journey through the Lake District and beyond. Starting at the red sandstone cliffs of St Bees on the Irish Sea, the route covers 131 kilometres to the old market town of Kirkby Stephen on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, spending the majority of its time in the Lake District — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of rugged fells, glacial lakes and lush green valleys. This is the most challenging section of the full Coast to Coast, and the most spectacular. For those who want a week of serious fell walking without committing to the full route, this is the one.

Highlights

  • Rolling green hills, drystone walls, and fluffy sheep in the hypnotic Yorkshire Dales
  • Picturesque country villages and farms, and nesting seabirds on the cliffs at St Bees in spring
  • Sensational views of Scafell Pike, England's highest peak
  • Old churches with stunning stained-glass windows
  • Walk through the Grasmere Valley which the poet Wordsworth famously called, ‘the loveliest spot that man hath found’
  • Stunning high routes for good weather days and easier low-level alternatives for those inclement weather days
  • Stay 8 nights in charming B&Bs or iconic country pubs

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Guest House (5 nights), Country Inn (2 nights), 3-star Hotel (1 night)

Meals

8 breakfasts, and 7 lunches

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

4

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

7

Days on the trail

12-25 km

Daily distance range

218-1105 m

Daily ascent range

8/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Nights are spent in traditional English bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and characterful country pubs — and they are a genuine highlight of this walk. Hosts are warm, knowledgeable and in many cases have walked the route themselves. All rooms are ensuite and consistently comfortable, with the crisp local ales and country hospitality that the English do better than anyone. Occasional substitutions may be made where properties are unavailable, always with equivalent quality in mind.

What You'll Eat

A hearty cooked breakfast is included each morning to set you up for the day, along with a packed walkers lunch on all but one day. Dinners are yours to choose each evening, with pubs and local restaurants along the route offering plenty of good options — this is all part of the experience of walking through the heart of England.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in St Bees and finishes in Kirkby Stephen. The most popular option is to fly into London and take the train from Euston to St Bees, a journey of around five to six hours with one or two changes. Manchester and Newcastle airports are closer and well-connected by train, taking approximately four hours. At the end of the walk, Kirkby Stephen sits on the Carlisle to Leeds line, with onward connections to London Kings Cross taking around four and a half hours total.

If driving, we recommend leaving your car in Penrith, with a private transfer to St Bees at the start. Contact our team to arrange secure car storage. To return to St Bees from Kirkby Stephen at the end of the walk, a direct train takes approximately three hours.

The Coast to Coast is best walked between April and October. Late spring and early summer bring wildflowers and nesting seabirds along the cliffs at St Bees, while September and October offer quieter trails and excellent visibility across the moors. Summer is the most popular period. We are unable to offer this walk in winter due to weather conditions and the closure of accommodations.

This section of the Coast to Coast is graded moderate to challenging and is best completed over a minimum of eight days. Daily distances range from around 14km on shorter days to 23km on longer ones, with enough elevation throughout to keep things interesting. The terrain is varied and entirely passable without any scrambling, though some sections can be boggy depending on the season and recent weather. The Lake District in particular demands a good level of fitness and solid waterproof gear. Rest days can be incorporated if needed — speak to your destination consultant to adjust your schedule.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this itinerary. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Coast to Coast reviews

5.0
9 reviews
5 Star
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Tom G
2 months ago

The C2C with Auswalks is a sensational walk! Seamlessly organised along the perfect route.

Geoff B
2 months ago

Auswalk booking and planning were all seamless. The Coast to Coast track is scenic and the accommodation was all as expected.

Deborah G
last year

Auswalk made our C2C walk so much easier, not having to worry about accommodation and luggage transfers. The walking app was fantastic, easy to use and highlighted places of interest. Thanks

Deborah G
last year

Auswalk made our C2C walk so much easier, not having to worry about accommodation and luggage transfers. The walking app was fantastic, easy to use and highlighted places of interest. Thanks

Julie M
last year

Having a range of accommodation types was lovely. Crookabeck farm B&B at Patterdale was our top pick. Having lunch organized for us every day was a great bonus and much appreciated. Great walk - fabulous, thorough organization. Thank you

Wendy W
last year

We have been very happy with our overall experience in using Auswalk. The staff have been excellent throughout with their communication . The information provided prior to our walk was very thorough and useful. We found the app particularly useful during our walk. In all, the accommodation was excellent, and the transport of our luggage each day was seamless. We have been very happy with our experience overall and would highly recommend Auswalk to anyone planning a hiking holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mobile coverage is generally good in towns and villages along the route, though more remote stretches across the moors and fells can be patchy. Auswalk provides a walking app with GPX files that can be downloaded and viewed offline, making navigation straightforward even without reception. Comprehensive walk notes and maps are also provided for each day.

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations each day, so you only need to carry a daypack on the trail. Please note that luggage must be a single piece; multiple bags cannot be accommodated. Your bag must be left at your accommodation's reception before you set off each morning. The maximum weight is 20kg. Please label your luggage clearly with your name and contact details.

The Coast to Coast crosses some of England's most exposed and changeable terrain, including the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. Weather can shift rapidly at any time of year, so always be prepared for rain, wind and cold temperatures regardless of the season. Layering is essential, and a quality waterproof jacket and over trousers should always be in your daypack.

Key items include waterproof walking boots with good ankle support and grip, a quality waterproof jacket and over trousers, warm layers, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a 25 to 30 litre daypack for daily essentials. A basic first aid kit including blister treatment is strongly recommended. Walking poles are useful on the steeper and rougher sections. A full packing list will be included in your information pack sent approximately six weeks before departure.

Yes. While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most pubs, hotels and towns along the route, smaller establishments and village shops may prefer cash. ATMs are available in larger towns but can be less frequent in more rural areas. The currency throughout the UK is the Great British Pound.

Yes. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can inform your accommodation hosts. The Coast to Coast passes through many excellent village pubs and restaurants, and most are well accustomed to catering for common dietary needs. On check-in, always reconfirm your requirements directly with your host.

Local taxis are available in most towns and villages along the route and are a practical option if you need to skip a section or shorten a day.

Want to Know More?

The Coast to Coast Experience

Wonder
Cross the Pennines to Nine Standards Rigg’s 800-year-old drystone cairns
Explore Richmond Castle, Marrick Priory and old churches with stained-glass windows
Pause at Dove Cottage in Grasmere, Wordsworth’s beloved Lake District home and stay in character-filled English B&Bs & guesthouses
Wellness
From Sea to Sea, Find Yourself Along the Way - 192 Miles of Raw, Restorative England
Walk pack-free via varied high and low routes let you match each day’s conditions
The rhythm of the repeated footfall is meditative & regulates the nervous system
Nature
Follow Ennerdale Water past glacier-carved valleys to Black Sail Hut through the Grasmere Valley, fells, moors and Esk Valley
Wander Yorkshire Dales past drystone walls, meadowlands, woodlands and the Swale
Finish beneath North Sea cliffs via Falling Foss Falls and heather moorland