Self-Launched Coast to Coast Walk: St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay

Travel to St Bees by train — it sits on the Cumbrian Coast Line with connections from Carlisle (change at Whitehaven). Check into your B&B or guesthouse, most of which are a short walk from St Bees railway station. Spend the afternoon exploring the village and the red sandstone beach where your epic walk begins tomorrow. Pick up any last-minute supplies from the local shop. A celebratory dinner at the Queens Hotel pub is a Coast to Coaster tradition.

🚌Train to St Bees via Carlisle and Whitehaven. National Rail tickets from ~£20–30 depending on origin.

🛏Stonehouse Farm B&B or Fairladies Barn Guest House, St Bees — from ~£45–55pp per night B&B

• →Arrive by train via Carlisle and Whitehaven to St Bees (~£20–30 from most northern cities)
• →Explore St Bees village and beach
• →Check in and rest up for the walk ahead
• →Evening meal at the Queens Hotel, St Bees

Before setting off, collect your stone from St Bees beach — tradition demands you carry it all the way to Robin Hood's Bay. Head along the coast before turning inland through the villages of Sandwith, Moor Row and Cleator. Your first real climb of the trip is Dent Fell before descending to Ennerdale Bridge. Navigate using OS Maps app (free basic tier) or download the route on Komoot. Distance: 23 km / 14.3 miles.

🚌Walking only — 23 km / 14.3 miles on foot.

🛏Shepherd's Arms Hotel or Low Cock How B&B, Ennerdale Bridge — from ~£45–55pp B&B

• →Collect a stone from St Bees beach — the classic Coast to Coast tradition
• →Walk coastal path then turn inland through Sandwith and Cleator
• →Climb Dent Fell (353m) for first panoramic views
• →Arrive in Ennerdale Bridge — evening pint at The Fox & Hounds

You're now firmly in the Lake District National Park. Walk alongside beautiful Ennerdale Water then choose your route: the high-level option via Red Pike, High Stile, iconic Haystacks and Wainwright's beloved Inominate Tarn, or the gentler valley route via Black Sail Youth Hostel and Loft Beck. Both converge at the fascinating Honister Slate Mine — England's last working slate mine — before descending to Rosthwaite in Borrowdale. Distance: 24 km / 14.9 miles.

🚌Walking only — 24 km / 14.9 miles on foot.

🛏Yew Tree Farm B&B or The Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite — from ~£50–60pp B&B

• →Walk alongside Ennerdale Water with stunning fell views
• →High route option: Red Pike, High Stile, Haystacks and Inominate Tarn (Wainwright's memorial spot)
• →Low route option: Black Sail Youth Hostel and Loft Beck
• →Visit Honister Slate Mine — England's last working slate mine
• →Descend to picturesque Rosthwaite in Borrowdale

A shorter day in terms of distance but demanding on the legs — the ascent to Greenup Edge is steep and the terrain can be boggy. The reward is another spectacular Lake District panorama. Overnight in pretty Grasmere, literary home of William Wordsworth. Visit Dove Cottage (Wordsworth's former home, ~£10 entry) and the Wordsworth Museum. Grasmere gingerbread from Sarah Nelson's shop is non-negotiable. Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles.

🚌Walking only — 15 km / 9.3 miles on foot.

🛏Grasmere Hostel or Raise View House B&B, Grasmere — from ~£40–60pp B&B

• →Steep ascent to Greenup Edge with iconic Lake District views
• →Descend into Grasmere
• →Visit Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum (~£10 entry)
• →Buy Grasmere gingerbread from Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop

Climb up to Grisedale Hause for gorgeous views back over Grasmere. Choose your route: the high-level option takes in the famous Helvellyn summit (950m, one of England's finest mountain walks) or St Sunday Crag with views stretching to Ullswater; the direct route follows Grisedale Valley down to Patterdale village. Distance: 17 km / 10.6 miles.

🚌Walking only — 17 km / 10.6 miles on foot.

🛏Patterdale Hotel or Side Farm B&B, Patterdale — from ~£45–55pp B&B

• →Climb to Grisedale Hause with sweeping Grasmere views
• →High route option: summit Helvellyn via Striding Edge (950m) — one of England's classic ridge walks
• →Alternative option: St Sunday Crag with views to Ullswater
• →Descend Grisedale Valley to Patterdale
• →Evening at the White Lion Inn, Patterdale

A big day with a rewarding high-level crossing. Climb to Angle Tarn then follow the ancient Roman road of High Street before reaching Kidsty Pike (780m) — the highest point on the entire Coast to Coast route with breathtaking views down to Haweswater. Descend to Haweswater reservoir, walk along its shores and through Bampton, then follow field paths past the atmospheric ruins of 13th-century Shap Abbey into the small town of Shap. Distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles.

🚌Walking only — 19 km / 11.8 miles on foot.

🛏Shap Wells Hotel or local B&B in Shap — from ~£45–55pp B&B

• →Climb to Angle Tarn and the Roman road of High Street
• →Summit Kidsty Pike (780m) — the highest point of the Coast to Coast
• →Walk the shores of Haweswater reservoir
• →Explore the ruins of Shap Abbey (free, English Heritage)
• →Overnight in Shap

A more gentle day compared to recent high-fell crossings. The route crosses into the Westmorland Fells on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the landscape shifts dramatically from dark granite crags to open, pale limestone country. Pass through the quiet hamlet of Oddendale and follow field paths to the tiny village of Orton — famous among Coast to Coasters for its artisan chocolate shop. Distance: 21 km / 13 miles.

🚌Walking only — 21 km / 13 miles on foot.

🛏Local B&B in Orton or nearby — from ~£45–55pp B&B

• →Cross Westmorland Fells into the Yorkshire Dales National Park
• →Notice the dramatic shift from granite to limestone landscape
• →Arrive in Orton and visit the Kennedys Chocolate shop — a local legend

A varied day through open countryside with scattered remote farms and wide panoramas towards the Howgill Fells and the distant Pennines — tomorrow's challenge. Pass the impressive Smardale Viaduct, a striking piece of Victorian railway engineering now on a nature reserve. Arrive in the lively small town of Kirkby Stephen in the Eden Valley, with its welcoming independent pubs, cafes and restaurants. Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles.

🚌Walking only — 20 km / 12.4 miles on foot.

🛏The Kings Arms or Redmayne House B&B, Kirkby Stephen — from ~£45–60pp B&B

• →Walk open countryside with views to the Howgill Fells and Pennines
• →Cross Smardale Viaduct — a Victorian railway viaduct on a nature reserve
• →Explore Kirkby Stephen town centre — pubs, cafes and a fine parish church
• →Fuel up on a proper pub dinner for the Pennines ahead

Leave Kirkby Stephen through the charming village of Hartley then brace for the climb up and over the Nine Standards — a dramatic series of ancient cairns on the fell top, marking the boundary between Cumbria and Yorkshire and the watershed between the Irish Sea and the North Sea. A deeply symbolic moment on the walk. Descend into remote, peaceful Keld, a former lead-mining village tucked into a narrow dale. Distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles.

🚌Walking only — 19 km / 11.8 miles on foot.

🛏Keld Lodge or Park House B&B, Keld — from ~£45–55pp B&B

• →Walk through the picture-postcard village of Hartley
• →Climb to the Nine Standards — ancient cairns marking the England watershed
• →Cross from Cumbria into Yorkshire
• →Descend to peaceful Keld — explore the nearby waterfalls (Kisdon Force, East Gill Force)

Choose your route out of Keld: the high-fell option crosses remote grouse moors dotted with atmospheric ruins from the lead-mining era, while the lower valley route follows beautiful Swaledale with its iconic stone barns and drystone walls. Both converge in Reeth, a quintessential Dales village with a large green surrounded by cosy pubs and tea shops. Distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles.

🚌Walking only — 19 km / 11.8 miles on foot.

🛏The Burgoyne Hotel or Arkleside Guesthouse, Reeth — from ~£50–65pp B&B

• →High route option: remote grouse moors and lead-mining ruins
• →Low route option: scenic Swaledale with traditional stone barns and drystone walls
• →Arrive in Reeth — explore the village green and local pubs
• →Visit the Swaledale Museum in Reeth (small donation entry)

A more leisurely stage crossing verdant meadows and passing through charming villages. Take time to visit Marrick Priory, ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine nunnery abandoned during the 16th-century Dissolution of the Monasteries. Arrive in the handsome market town of Richmond with its cobbled market place, independent shops, and the imposing 11th-century Norman castle (£7 entry via English Heritage). Distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles.

🚌Walking only — 19 km / 11.8 miles on foot.

🛏Frenchgate Hotel or local B&B, Richmond — from ~£50–65pp B&B

• →Walk verdant meadows and pretty villages of Swaledale
• →Visit the ruins of Marrick Priory (free access)
• →Explore Richmond's cobbled market square
• →Richmond Castle — 11th-century Norman fortress (~£7 entry, English Heritage)
• →Evening meal in one of Richmond's excellent pubs or restaurants

Today's walk is an easier, flatter contrast to the fell days — a crossing of the Vale of Mowbray through fertile farmland and quiet country lanes. Pass through Bolton-on-Swale and its medieval St Mary's Church, where a memorial marks Henry Jenkins, allegedly England's oldest man (buried 1670, aged reportedly 169). End the day in Danby Wiske, a small cluster of cottages around a village green. Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles.

🚌Walking only — 22 km / 13.7 miles on foot.

🛏White Swan Inn, Danby Wiske (limited rooms — book early!) or B&B nearby — from ~£45–55pp B&B

• →Cross the flat Vale of Mowbray on quiet country lanes
• →Visit St Mary's Church, Bolton-on-Swale, and the Henry Jenkins memorial
• →Arrive in Danby Wiske — the pub here is a lifesaver for tired walkers

A flat approach day towards the North York Moors National Park along footpaths and farm tracks, passing brightly coloured rapeseed fields (in season) and gentle pastoral scenery. The distant outline of the North York Moors begins to build on the horizon — a welcome sight after the Vale of Mowbray flatlands. Overnight in either Ingleby Cross or nearby Osmotherley depending on accommodation availability. Distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles.

🚌Walking only — 18 km / 11.2 miles on foot.

🛏Blue Bell Inn, Ingleby Cross or Queen Catherine Hotel, Osmotherley — from ~£45–60pp B&B

• →Walk flat farm tracks and footpaths approaching the North York Moors
• →Spot the Moors on the horizon — motivation for the days ahead
• →Arrive at Ingleby Cross or Osmotherley — explore the market cross and village

Enter the North York Moors National Park proper, climbing through woodland before reaching the open heather moorland above. Superb views stretch back to Richmond and forward towards the North Sea on clear days. The distinctive rocky Wain Stones and wide moorland plateaus mark a dramatic change in landscape character. Note: accommodation at Clay Bank Top is very limited — most walkers take a short taxi or pre-arranged pickup transfer to nearby Great Broughton or Chop Gate for the night. Distance: 21 km / 13 miles.

🚌Walking 21 km, then short taxi transfer (~£10–15) to accommodation. Pre-book a local taxi or ask your B&B host.

🛏B&B in Great Broughton or Chop Gate near Clay Bank Top — from ~£45–55pp B&B

• →Enter the North York Moors National Park
• →Walk through woodland and onto open heather moorland
• →Views back across the Vale to Richmond and ahead to the North Sea
• →Spot the distinctive Wain Stones rocky outcrops
• →Short taxi transfer (~£10–15) to accommodation near Clay Bank Top

Get a taxi or lift back to Clay Bank Top to resume the route (pre-arrange with your B&B host). From here it's a steady walk across the moorland plateau along the trackbed of a former ironstone railway — flat, remote and atmospheric. The destination is Blakey Ridge and The Lion Inn, a 16th-century former hunting lodge that is the third highest pub in England and the only building for miles around. It's a welcoming sight. Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles.

🚌Short taxi back to Clay Bank Top (~£10–15). Walking only thereafter — 16 km / 9.9 miles.

🛏The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge — from ~£55–70pp B&B (book months ahead — it fills up fast!)

• →Taxi back to Clay Bank Top to restart the route (~£10–15)
• →Walk the moorland plateau along the old ironstone railway trackbed
• →Arrive at The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge — one of England's most remote pubs
• →Overnight at The Lion Inn (rooms available — book well in advance)

A mainly flat and downhill day — a relative treat after the fell days. The route runs beside Great Fryup Dale and drops into Glaisdale before one final sting: the climb up and drop down into Egton Bridge. End the day in the peaceful village of Grosmont (pronounced 'Growmont'), one of the stops on the famous North York Moors Steam Railway. Consider an evening ride on the heritage steam train (~£15 return to Pickering). Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles.

🚌Walking only — 22 km / 13.7 miles. Optional steam railway ride from ~£15.

🛏Eskdale House B&B or Grosmont House, Grosmont — from ~£50–65pp B&B

• →Walk beside Great Fryup Dale with open moorland views
• →Pass through Glaisdale and Egton Bridge
• →Arrive in Grosmont — a stop on the North York Moors Steam Railway
• →Optional evening steam train ride (~£15 return)

The final and triumphant day. A steep road climb onto the moor at the start, then a glimpse of the sea and the dramatic silhouette of Whitby Abbey on the horizon — an emotional moment for every walker. Through the magical Falling Foss woods, across the last section of moorland, then a walk along the top of the Jurassic cliffs from High Hawsker with breathtaking coastal scenery. The descent into Robin Hood's Bay is one of the finest finales in British walking. Don't forget to throw your St Bees stone into the North Sea! Celebrate at The Bay Hotel overlooking the sea. Distance: 25 km / 15.5 miles.

🚌Walking only — 25 km / 15.5 miles on foot.

🛏Victoria Hotel or Boggle Hole Youth Hostel, Robin Hood's Bay — from ~£45–65pp B&B

• →Climb onto the moor and spot Whitby Abbey on the horizon
• →Walk through beautiful Falling Foss woods
• →Coastal clifftop walk from High Hawsker with Jurassic Coast scenery
• →Descend into Robin Hood's Bay — you've crossed England!
• →Throw your St Bees stone into the North Sea
• →Celebrate at The Bay Hotel pub with sea views

Depart after a well-earned breakfast. The nearest train station is Whitby (take the Arriva bus 93 from Robin Hood's Bay, ~£3.50, 20 mins) or Scarborough (bus then train). From Whitby or Scarborough there are rail connections onward to York and the national rail network. Consider spending a day in Whitby to explore the famous Abbey, the old town and the harbour — you've earned it.

🚌Bus 93 from Robin Hood's Bay to Whitby (~£3.50). Train from Scarborough or Whitby to York/home from ~£15–30.

🛏No accommodation needed — depart today.

• →Breakfast and farewell to Robin Hood's Bay
• →Catch the bus 93 to Whitby (~£3.50, 20 mins)
• →Optional: explore Whitby Abbey (English Heritage, ~£9.50 entry) and the famous harbour
• →Train from Whitby or Scarborough onward to York or home