10-Day Coast to Coast Route Itinerary — Fastpacker Pace

Hit the ground running with a big opening day. Dip your boots at St Bees, climb St Bees Head, and push through to Cleator before tackling Dent Hill. After descending to Ennerdale Bridge, continue along the shore of Ennerdale Water — one of the Lake District's most unspoilt lakes — with views to Pillar and Steeple all the way to YHA Ennerdale.

A demanding day through the heart of the Lake District. Follow the valley floor past YHA Black Sail, then climb steeply up Loft Beck to views of Great Gable. Descend via Moses Trod past Honister Slate Mine and through Borrowdale's ancient woodland. Push on through Stonethwaite, up the challenging climb to Greenup Edge, and down through Far Easedale into Grasmere.

A shorter recovery day over Grisedale Hause. Climb alongside Little Tongue Gill past the glacial Grisedale Tarn at 538m, then descend through the Grisedale Valley to Patterdale. Use the extra time to rest up — tomorrow is a big one.

The day's centrepiece is Kidsty Pike (780m), the highest point of the entire crossing. Climb to Angle Tarn, summit the Pike with expansive views, then make the steep descent to Haweswater. Follow the reservoir shoreline, pass the ruins of Shap Abbey, and cross limestone uplands to reach Orton.

A long crossing from limestone country into the Yorkshire Dales. Push through Kirkby Stephen, then climb to Nine Standards Rigg (662m) on the watershed. Descend across moorland past Ravenseat Farm and follow the River Swale to Keld.

A shorter day through the heart of Swaledale. Past Crackpot Hall and through the evocative lead mining landscape of Gunnerside Gill with its spoil heaps and stone arches. Descend through wildflower meadows to the picturesque village of Reeth.

Cover serious ground across the flat Vale of Mowbray. Follow the River Swale through Richmond — pausing to admire the Norman castle — then push on across agricultural land, past Bolton-on-Swale and through several small villages to Danby Wiske.

Cross the Vale of Mowbray and enter the North York Moors. Climb through Arncliffe Wood, then push across Beacon Hill, Carlton Moor and up to Cringle Moor with its distinctive profile. Scramble through the Wainstones rock formations on one of the most exhilarating sections of the entire walk.

Reach Round Hill (454m) — the Moors' highest point — then follow the old Rosedale Ironstone Railway across heather moorland past Fat Betty and Young Ralph. Continue to the remote Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge, then cross Rosedale Head and follow Glaisdale Rigg with views into Great Fryup Dale before descending to Glaisdale.

The final push. Cross Beggar's Bridge, follow the River Esk through ancient woodland to Grosmont and its steam railway. Climb over moorland to Littlebeck, visit Falling Foss waterfall, then cross High Bride Stones to Hawsker. Join the Cleveland Way along the clifftops for a triumphant finish at Robin Hood's Bay.