The Coast to Coast Path National Trail

Official facts on the 190-mile National Trail from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, based on Wainwright’s walk, including published time, terrain and sections.

The Coast to Coast Path is a 190-mile (306 km) National Trail through landscapes in northern England. The official visitor page, published on 24 June 2026, says it is based on the walk made famous by the author and fell walker Alfred Wainwright, and that it includes areas of coast, mountain and moorland.

Where it goes

The trail runs between St Bees, Cumbria and Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire. It goes through three National Parks — the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors — and the edge of the North Pennines National Landscape.

You can walk the entire trail, a specific section, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail. The trail is open all year. Some of the high-level sections may be difficult in winter or bad weather; the official page says you can choose low-level options to avoid some of these sections.

How long it takes

Length: 190 miles (306 km)
Time to complete: around 13 days with a rest day

You can walk the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route both ways. The official page says most people walk from west to east, so they have the prevailing wind behind them.

Waymarks

The trail is marked with the National Trail acorn or the trail name. You will also see “AW” on some of the wooden footpath signs, in recognition of Alfred Wainwright.

In the Lake District National Park, waymarking usually stops above the fell wall so it does not impact on the landscape. That is an official note worth taking seriously: do not expect acorns all the way across the high ground, and take a map.

Cyclists and horse riders can follow a trial riders route of the Coast to Coast Path between Orton and Richmond.

Terrain and access

Overall, this is described as a demanding trail. Several sections are hilly, steep and remote. The western section is the most demanding. There are some low-level options and easier sections across flat agricultural land.

In Ennerdale Valley, there are over 11.5 miles (19 km) of Coast to Coast Path and loop routes that are open to horse riders, cyclists and people with all-terrain wheelchairs.

The official page records some access improvements: 38 stiles have been replaced with gates; over 9 km of trail has been resurfaced or had flag stones installed, to improve accessibility and protect the peat on the higher ground; and the visibility and clarity of the signage has been improved in a project with Leonard Cheshire. The three National Parks on the route also publish “miles without stiles” and, in some cases, Tramper hire.

What the official page says you may see

Wildlife listed includes red squirrels in Ennerdale; curlew, lapwing and skylark in the pastures of the Yorkshire Dales; and seals near Ravenscar and Robin Hood’s Bay. Historic sites named include iron age hillforts, Richmond’s medieval castle and Nine Standards Rigg. Nature reserves named include St Bees Head and Little Beck. Towns and villages named include Grasmere, Kirkby Stephen, Richmond and Glaisdale.

Official example sections

These section descriptions are from the official visitor page. They are not walking times from this site.

St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge. The trail begins on the cliffs of St Bees Head before turning inland through farmland and quiet villages. It follows the King Charles III England Coast Path for about 4 miles, until Birkhams Quarry, then leads toward the Lake District fells and finishes in Ennerdale Bridge beside the River Ehen.
Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite. The route follows the length of Ennerdale Water, then a remote forest track and valley path toward Black Sail Pass, before descending into Borrowdale and Rosthwaite. There is a more accessible optional route along the northern side of Ennerdale Water.
Rosthwaite to Patterdale. A steep climb over Greenup Edge, a crossing of high ground, a descent into the Grasmere valley, then a climb over Grisedale Tarn and a long descent into Patterdale.
Patterdale to Shap. Described as one of the most challenging sections, beginning with a tough ascent to Angle Tarn and then up toward Kidsty Pike, followed by a long descent to Haweswater and a moorland stretch into Shap.
Shap to Kirkby Stephen. After the Lake District the landscape shifts to open limestone country and wide moors, with ancient stone circles and dry-stone walls, ending in Kirkby Stephen.
Kirkby Stephen to Keld. A steady climb up to Nine Standards Rigg, ending in Keld at the head of Swaledale.
Keld to Reeth. You can choose a high moorland route past old lead-mining remains, or a lower riverside path through Swaledale, ending in Reeth.
Reeth to Richmond. A lower-level walk following the River Swale through woodland, fields and small villages, described as one of the easier sections, ending in Richmond.
Richmond to Ingleby Cross. A long, flatter stage across agricultural plains and quiet lanes. The official route does not cross the A19 near Ingleby Arncliffe but follows a diversion north, to use the bridge near East Rounton, then south back to Ingleby Arncliffe.
Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top. A demanding section: a steep climb onto the Cleveland Hills and a ridge walk along the North York Moors, up and down several distinct peaks, ending at Clay Bank Top.
Clay Bank Top to Glaisdale. Heather moorland, old railway tracks and moorland paths, then a descent into Glaisdale. Parts of this section follow a bridleway on the Cleveland Way National Trail.
Glaisdale to Robin Hood’s Bay. A riverside walk to Grosmont, a steep climb onto the final stretch of moorland, then a drop toward the coast. The trail ends by descending into Robin Hood’s Bay, through the village and to the foreshore.

Maps and closures

The official page points to the National Trails website map and GPX data, and to other maps and guidebooks in print. If there are diversions or closures, they will be clearly signposted; follow the signs on the trail.

Because some high ground in the Lake District is deliberately lightly waymarked, this is a trail where the official packing advice — a map, and on some routes a compass you know how to use — is especially relevant. See maps, waymarks and staying safe.

The Pennine Way meets the Coast to Coast Path at Keld, according to the Pennine Way visitor page.

Sources

Checked 14 November 2026.