13-Day Coast to Coast Route Itinerary — Hiker Pace

Your adventure begins with the traditional boot-dip in the Irish Sea at St Bees. Climb up St Bees Head past the lighthouse with its dramatic cliff views, then traverse the RSPB nature reserve — home to England's only colony of black guillemots. After turning inland through Sandwith, the route tackles Dent Hill (352m), your first real ascent, rewarding you with panoramic views of the Lake District fells ahead. Descend through the peaceful Nannycatch Beck valley to Ennerdale Bridge.

A magnificent day skirting the shore of Ennerdale Water with views to Pillar and Steeple, then following the valley floor past the remote YHA Black Sail hostel. The climb up Loft Beck on rough, often wet ground leads to views of Great Gable and the Buttermere valley. Descend via Moses Trod, an old miners' route, past the Honister Slate Mine and through Borrowdale's ancient woodland to Rosthwaite.

A shorter but rewarding day through verdant Borrowdale meadows to Stonethwaite, then climbing steadily alongside Greenup Gill to Greenup Edge (620m). The steep ascent can be challenging in poor weather but reveals magnificent views of Borrowdale behind you. Descend through Far Easedale into Grasmere — Wordsworth's village — with its famous Gingerbread Shop, cosy pubs and lakeside setting.

The biggest day of the walk, taking in some of its finest terrain. Climb to Grisedale Hause past the glacial Grisedale Tarn before descending to Patterdale. Then tackle the steep ascent to Angle Tarn and up to Kidsty Pike (780m) — the highest point on the entire Coast to Coast — with expansive views across the eastern Lake District. The steep descent to Haweswater is followed by a long but beautiful walk along the reservoir shoreline.

The landscape shifts from lakeland to limestone as you pass the ruins of Shap Abbey and cross into pastoral farmland. Through Shap village with its amenities, then onto Crosby Ravensworth Fell with its characteristic limestone pavements and prehistoric remains including the Oddendale stone circle. Orton offers a café, the artisanal Kennedy's Chocolates shop and The George Hotel.

Cross expansive limestone moorland past Sunbiggin Tarn nature reserve, an important habitat for waterfowl. Enjoy sweeping views of the Howgill Fells before crossing Smardale Bridge and descending into Kirkby Stephen — the 'Cathedral of the Dales' — a welcoming market town with pubs, cafés and a well-stocked Co-op.

Climb steadily to Nine Standards Rigg (662m), where mysterious ancient stone cairns sit on the watershed between the Irish and North Seas. Traverse expansive moorland with panoramic views across Swaledale, descending through sometimes boggy terrain past Ravenseat Farm — home of the Yorkshire Shepherdess — before following the young River Swale to the quiet village of Keld.

A long but absorbing day through Swaledale. Pass the atmospheric ruins of Crackpot Hall, then traverse the haunting industrial landscape of abandoned lead mines at Gunnerside Gill — spoil heaps, stone arches and chimney remains from the 19th-century mining boom. Through the picturesque village of Reeth centred on its large green, then follow the River Swale past Marske to Richmond with its imposing Norman castle, cobbled streets and Georgian Theatre Royal.

Leave Richmond's medieval splendour and cross into a dramatically different landscape of flat agricultural land. Pass through Bolton-on-Swale with its church containing the memorial to Henry Jenkins, who allegedly lived to 169 years. This gentle section provides a welcome interlude for the legs between the Dales and the North York Moors.

Continue across the Vale of Mowbray with the Cleveland Hills growing larger on the eastern horizon. At Ingleby Cross, the Blue Bell Inn marks the transition into the North York Moors National Park. The trail enters Arncliffe Wood and begins climbing — walkers can detour to Osmotherley village with its three pubs and shops.

A demanding but spectacular day across the North York Moors. Climb steeply up Beacon Hill and across Carlton Moor to Carlton Bank (408m), stopping at Lord Stones Café. Continue over Cringle Moor, scramble through the Wainstones rock formations, and reach Round Hill (454m) — the highest point of the Moors. Follow the old Rosedale Ironstone Railway across heather moorland, passing the medieval Fat Betty cross, to the remote Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge.

Cross Rosedale Head with panoramic views, then follow Glaisdale Rigg with views down into Great Fryup Dale. Descend to Glaisdale village, cross the historic Beggar's Bridge, and follow the River Esk through ancient oak woodland. Pass the charming Horseshoe Hotel at Egton Bridge before arriving in Grosmont with its preserved steam railway station.

The final day. Climb past the North Yorkshire Moors Railway engine sheds, cross open moorland, and descend through woodland to Littlebeck. Visit The Hermitage — a room carved into sandstone — and the impressive Falling Foss waterfall. Cross High Bride Stones moor to Hawsker, then join the Cleveland Way along dramatic North Sea clifftops. Robin Hood's Bay gradually comes into view — red rooftops spilling down to the sea. Dip your boots in the North Sea and celebrate.