Coast to Coast (East)

Day 1: Arrive in Kirkby Stephen

This is your chance to get to the start of the holiday by making your way to Kirkby Stephen. We will have accommodation arranged for you so you just need to turn up and tell them your name. If you plan to get the train to Kirkby Stephen and would like a lift to your accommodation this can usually be arranged, just let us know. In the evening you will get the chance to meet the rest of your group as well as your guides at a local pub for a drink or two.

Accommodation Kirkby Stephen

Day 2: Walking to Keld - 13 miles

Today we will begin our journey along the Coast to Coast to the village of Keld. The walk begins gently by following a winding tarmac road out of Kirkby Stephen which soon turns into a good path in the Pennine Moors. Here we will ascend to the summit of Nine Standards Rigg, our highest point for the day at 662 metres, it is famous for its nine large cairns. The views from the top over the Eden Valley are well worth the climb. Our route down will vary depending on the time of year of your trek, three routes are used over the course of the season to help prevent erosion on the path. Regardless of our path be aware that this section goes over peat and can be very boggy in wet weather. We will finish the day by following the River Swale in to Keld. Today is around 13 miles, with 515m of height gain and should take about 7 hours to complete.

Accommodation Kirkby Stephen

Day 3: Walking to Reeth - 12 miles

We will begin by ascending out of Keld, passing Crackpot Hall and then follow The Swinner Gill and East Grain. This area is famous for its lead mining industry that disappeared towards the end of the 19th century. You will notice the ruins of the various mining works throughout the area. We will continue crossing over the moor to a height of 580 metres, before dropping down to Gunnerside Gill. We will soon be ascending again, this time up to Melbecks Moor at 550 metres before heading down to Surrender Bridge passing the ruins of Old Gang Smelting Mills along the way. We will complete the day by following farmland and The River Swale into Reeth. Today is just over 12 miles, with a little over 600m of height gain in total and should take us around 6-7 hours to complete.

Accommodation Richmond

Day 4: Walking to Bolton on Swale - 17 miles

Today we will be walking to Bolton on Swale, this is a great contrast from yesterday. While it is a long day in regards to miles, 17 in total, the terrain underfoot it much easier and the height gain much gentler. We would expect it to take longer than yesterday, around 8 hours, but in terms of difficulty it is actually often found to be easier. The scenery is one of rolling countryside, we will begin by following The River Swale to Marrick, passing the ruins of the 12th century Benedictine Priory along the way. After walking through the small village of Marske we will continue walking parallel to the river reaching Richmond for around lunchtime. Richmond Castle is one of the highlights of this day. Likely built in the 1070s by Alan Rufus, and extended considerably in the 12th century, Richmond Castle is the one of the best examples of an early Norman castle in England. We will cross Richmond Bridge (a 18th century bridge) and once again follow The Swale through Colburn and over Catterick Bridge before finally reaching our destination of Bolton on Swale.

Accommodation Richmond

Day 5: Walking to Ingleby Cross - 17 miles

Another long but gentle day today. Once again we have 17 miles to cover, however with only 100 metres of height gain we would expect today to take between 7-8 hours to complete. We will leave Bolton-on-Swale by saying goodbye to St Mary’s Church. An exquisitely built sandstone structure, built in the 14th century by Brothers of the Abbey of St Mary’s in York. After crossing some farmland we will soon arrive at Kiplin Hall, initially built as a hunting lodge in 1620. Once again we will follow small lanes and fields until we reach the village of Danby Wiske. From Danby Wiske the walking remains rural, over farmers fields and small country lanes with views of The Cleveland Hills as they get ever nearer. The day ends at Ingleby Cross, which also marks the start of the North York Moors National Park.

Accommodation Great Ayton

Day 6: Walking to Blakey Ridge - 20 miles

This is the most challenging day of The Coast to Coast (East) but is also perhaps the most rewarding. With 970 metres of height gain and 20 miles to cover, today will likely take us 8.5 – 9.5 hours to complete. However, the effort is well worth it as this day contains many highlights. We begin by ascending to Arncliffe Wood whereby the route of The Coast to Coast follows section of The Cleveland Way. Our next milestone is the summit of Gold Hill at 315 metres, followed by Carlton Moor at 408 metres. Once here will be descend 100 metres down to Green Bank. Our ascent isn’t over yet and this undulating day now continues by going over Cringle Moor and then to Hasty Bank before descending to the road at Clay Bank Top. We will likely have lunch somewhere around this area and continue by ascending up Carr Ridge followed by a gentle rise to the summit of Round Hill. Standing at 454 metres, Round Hill is the highest point on the North York Moors. From here we will descend to Bloworth Crossing, whereby The Coast to Coast separates from the Cleveland Way and instead continues on a disused railway line through Farndale Moor to Blakey Ridge.

Accommodation Great Ayton

Day 7: Walking to Grosmont - 15 miles

Today is a much easier day than yesterday and it should only take us around 6 hours to complete. While 15 miles long, there is very little height gain, only around 100 metres and therefore much easier for our tired legs! We begin on the high moorland road but soon gain a path through the beautiful heather that the North York Moors are so famous for. We will pass White Cross, quickly followed by Botton Cross. Moorland Crosses are a frequent feature on this part of the Moors, there is perhaps a larger collection here than anywhere else in the UK. These crosses, a symbol of Christ’s death, begun popping up during the 7th century in this region. They were largely used to guide people across the moors, marking ancient tracks and routes. After another short road section we will gain and large track to Glaisdale Moor into Glaisdale village. From the village we will head through East Arnecliff Wood before joining a road into Grosmont.

Accommodation Robin Hoods Bay

Day 8: Walking to Robin Hoods Bay - 15 miles

The last day of our journey will take us from Grosmont to Robin Hoods Bay. We have 15 miles to cover and around 450 metres of height gain. Therefore, we would expect today to take approximately 7 hours. We will begin by ascending out of the village to the tumulus (ancient burial mound) of Flat Howes. A gradual descent will lead us down to the hamlet of Littlebeck. We will continue alongside the beck through Little Beck Wood and we soon reach a huge boulder. This boulder, known as The Hermitage, was constructed from once piece of rock by George Chubb in 1790 for reasons unknown. As we continue on we will reach Falling Foss, a delightful waterfall, before reaching Old May Beck. After two short road sections we will contour around the hillside before descending down into Hawsker and then to the coast. Our final section of this world-famous trail takes us along the beautiful coastal path before reaching Robin Hood’s Bay itself. Once here you will of course follow tradition by dipping our boots into the sea and celebrating your accomplishment.

Accommodation Robin Hoods Bay

Day 9: Depature/Transfer back to Kirkby Stephen

Today we will pick you up from your accommodation in Robin Hoods Bay and drive you back to Kirkby Stephen. However, you may prefer to make use of the bus from Robin Hoods Bay that can take you to Scarborough train station for your onward travel. From here it is time to say goodbye and make your way home.