The Coast to Coast hike is one of the most famous walks in England, and it’s easy to see why. You can start the route by taking the paddle in the Irish sea and finish in the North Sea along the east coast of England.

To make things better:

You’ll cover over 190 miles of the most stunning landscapes England has to offer. Yep, that means you take on three National Parks, with each one providing a unique experience.

While walking, you’ll pass through:

• The Lake District – Known as “paradise on earth” to many hikers and home to the largest lakes and highest mountains in England.
• The Yorkshire Dales – Rolling hills are separated with stone walls. It’s also home to historic castles, classic country pubs, and beautiful villages.
• North York Moors – Providing a fitting end to the hike, the area provided classic moorlands that will stand out in your memory.

The hike begins in the beautiful seaside village of St Bees, in the district of Cumbria. You’ll then take on Lake District, Pennine Hills, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors before eventually finishing in Robin’s Hood Bay.

It’s also known as Wainwright’s Way after the renowned walker and writer created the stunning trail in 1973. Since its creation, it has become one of the most famous hikes in the UK.

Although many parts of the hike are pretty easy going, it’s not a hike that you should underestimate. The Mountain rescue teams can tell hundreds of stories to back it up.

The best thing about this hike is no two days feel the same; there’s so much variety to the route that anyone will like they are in heaven.

Buy The Coast To Coast Hike Guide

What does it look like?

How Long Does It Take?

Okay, as with any hike, it depends on how hard you want to take. Most people can complete the walk in 12-16 days.

This is a pretty comfortable time frame for most average hikers, and there are stories for 70-80-year-olds taking on the challenge.

If you want to take on the route in 12-days, you’ll have to walk around 16 miles per day. But you also have the option of taking a bit more time; there’s a lot to see in the area:

1. 13 days – 14.5 miles per day
2. 14 days – 13.5 miles per day
3. 15 days – 12.6 miles per day
4. 16 days – 11.8 miles per day

Before moving on to the next section, I want to leave you with some wisdom. If you look at guide books, there’s a 23 mile stretch between Richmond and Ingleby Arncliffe, which is far too much to walk in one day.

Work out a route on the path where you feel comfortable stopping off for the night.

How To Get There And Back?

There are parking facilities at the Coast to Coast Packhorse, which also runs daily minibus services.

But the best option is to use the train services. The service can leave you in St Bees using the Cumbrian coastline, but some people say the train is pretty slow.

Unfortunately, when you finish the hike in Robin Hood’s Bay, you will struggle; there’s no more train station. Luckily you do have a few options. You can use the X93 bus service to Whitby or Scarborough.

• Whitby is closer but less connected.
• Scarborough is further but has a lot more rail links.

It’s probably best to check the connections to see which station will work best for you.

The Best Time To Go

The trail gets very busy in the summer, which can make it pretty off-putting, especially if you don’t like crowds of people.

The best time to go is in spring as the weather starts to warm up. You’ll also see freshly birthed animals and plenty of wildflowers.

If you’re looking to increase the intensity of the hike, then winter is excellent; just be prepared for cold winds and snowstorms.

Where To Stay On Your Journey

As you can imagine this walk can get very busy due to its popularity, making it had to find accommodation. For this reason, it’s best to book well in advance, but what options do you have?

Along the walk, you’ll find plenty of B&Bs, hotels, and bunkhouses, so there’s something for everyone’s budget. Again, it’s about booking in advance to make sure you get the locations and places you want.

If you want to camp, you have a few options. Although you have no legal right to wild camp, there are a few places along the way that tolerate it; just make sure you leave no trace that you were there.

There’s also a few camping sites, although maybe not as many as you’d like. Luckily some pubs and farms allow hikers to stay there; make sure you ask first.

Where To Get Food And Drink Along The Way

Getting food and drink is always a worry when you’re going away for so long… it’s just feasible to carry two weeks’ worth of supplies.

Luckily you do have plenty of options.

The hike passes through many villages and towns with local restaurants and pubs for you to try out. The classic country pubs provide excellent food at reasonable prices.

As for restaurants, you have a wide variety of options throughout the hike, which means you never feel lost for food.

You can also check out small cafes for lunch, where you can pick up a quick sandwich and cup of tea.

If you’re camping and prefer to cook your own food, then you’ll have no issues either. There’s plenty of local shops where you can stock up. You might even pass an outdoor shop which supplies boil-in-a-bag meals.

Final Thoughts

This famous walk provides a stunning adventure for anyone that’s up for taking on the task. You’ll find fabulous landscapes, mountains, lakes, and much more during the hike, so what are you waiting for?