Walking from Coast to Coast East

Walking from Coast to Coast East

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Walking from Coast to Coast East

12 Days Starting in Kirkby Stephen and ending in Robin Hood's Bay

Visiting: Kirkby Stephen, Keld, Reeth, Richmond, Market Place, Danby Wiske, Ingleby Cross, Clay Bank Car Park, Blakey Ridge, Grosmont, Robin Hood's Bay

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W11LY

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

12 to 99

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

History, Wildlife Tours

Activities:

Trekking, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

The world famous Coast-to-Coast is an exhilarating long-distance walking route originally described by the writer Alfred Wainwright in his book of the same name. First published in 1973, the book has grown in renown and today is as popular as ever, with the walk itself featuring on the bucket list of all keen walkers.This 11 night trip follows the route from the lively market town of Kirkby Stephen in the Yorkshire Dales to the pretty fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea coast. Inbetween you head up hill and down dale, over the Pennines and heather covered moorland, passing through lush meadows and quintessential pastoral landscapes, dotted with ancient stone barns and sleepy hamlets.The walking is recommended for experienced walkers, as the route will take you over remote moorland which can at times be boggy, but the sense of achievement when you arrive in Robin Hood's Bay makes it all worth while.Your accommodation each night is in carefully picked B&Bs, with either ensuite or private facilities, where friendly smiles and warm welcomes to weary walkers are guaranteed!

Highlights

  • Based on our popular 17 night, Walking from Coast to Coast

  • Follow in the footsteps of Wainwright through the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moor National Parks

  • Heather clad moorland, quintessential Yorkshire villages, traditional cosy pubs, panoramic rocky crags, ancient hilltop cairns

  • 2 nights in the pretty market town of Richmond: 11th century Norman castle, evocative abbey ruins, Georgian theatre

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Kirkby Stephen
Location: Kirkby Stephen
Meals Included: No Meals

There's time to explore this pretty market town before your briefing.

Day 2 : Kirkby Stephen To Keld
Location: Kirkby Stephen, Keld
Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Kirkby Stephen via the picture postcard village of Hartley, then the
route gets hillier once again as you climb up and over the Nine Standards - a
very distinctive feature on the fell, where Cumbria crosses into Yorkshire
and the watershed between the Irish Sea and the North Sea meets. End the day
in peaceful Keld, a former lead-mining village.

Day 3 : Keld To Reeth
Location: Keld, Reeth
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you have the choice between a route over the high fell or the lower
route along the valley. The former crosses a remote landscape of grouse
moors, dotted with ruins from the lead-mining era; the latter takes you via
Swaledale, with its traditional stone barns and drystone walls. Whatever you
choose, you arrive in Reeth, another quintessential Dales village with cosy
pubs.

Day 4 : Reeth To Richmond
Location: Reeth, Richmond
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today's more leisurely stage takes you across verdant meadows and through
pretty villages. Take time to explore Marrick Priory, a 12th century
Benedictine nuns' monastery, abandoned during the 16th-century religious
wars. Overnight in the pretty market town of Richmond.

Day 5 : Free Day In Richmond
Location: Market Place
Meals Included: Breakfast

A day off from walking today so there's plenty of time to explore Richmond
with its quaint cobbled market place, historic winding alleyways, 12th
century abbey and imposing Norman Castle - which will celebrate its 950th
birthday in 2021!

Day 6 : Richmond To Danby Wiske
Location: Market Place, Danby Wiske
Meals Included: Breakfast

An easier, flatter walk again today, taking you across the Vale of Mowbray,
through fertile farmland and along quiet country lanes, via Bolton-on-Swale
and its 14th century St. Mary's Church. Your final destination is Danby
Wiske, a cluster of pretty houses huddled around the village green.

Day 7 : Danby Wiske To Ingleby Cross/Osmotherley
Location: Danby Wiske, Ingleby Cross
Meals Included: Breakfast

Continue your approach towards the North York Moors National Park - and its
hills! - along flat footpaths and farm tracks, passing brightly coloured
rapeseed fields and sleepy livestock. Depending on accommodation
availability, you overnight in either Ingleby Cross or Osmotherley.

Day 8 : Ingleby Cross/Osmotherley To Clay Bank Top
Location: Ingleby Cross, Clay Bank Car Park
Meals Included: Breakfast

Walk through woodland then head uphill for superb views back to Richmond and
ahead towards the North Sea. You are finally in the North York Moors National
Park with its wide expanses of heather covered moorland, contrasting with the
distinctive rocky crags of the Wain Stones. There is a short transfer at the
end of today's walk to your accommodation for the night.

Day 9 : Clay Bank Top To Blakey Ridge
Location: Clay Bank Car Park, Blakey Ridge
Meals Included: Breakfast

After you are dropped off back at Clay Bank Top, it feels like you are on a
high mountain, but the North York Moors is only 4-500m above sea level.
Today's stretch brings you across the plateau, along the route of an
abandoned mine railway to The Lion Inn pub. Originally a 16th-century hunting
lodge, it's the third highest pub in England and the only building for miles
around.

Day 10 : Blakey Ridge To Grosmont
Location: Blakey Ridge, Grosmont
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today's route is mainly flat and downhill beside Great Fryup Dale and into
Glaisdale. There's one sting in the tail to get up and down into Egton Bridge
before you end the day in peaceful Grosmont (pronounced 'Growmont'), one of
the stops on the famous North York Moors steam railway.

Day 11 : Grosmont To Robin Hood's Bay
Location: Grosmont, Robin Hood's Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast

Start the day with a steep road climb up onto the moor before descending into
beautiful Littlebeck - but not before catching a glimpse of the sea and the
breathtaking Whitby Abbey! Through Falling Foss woods with its hidden
follies, walk over the last section of the Moors. The final stretch takes you
from High Hawsker along the top of the Jurassic cliffs - with stunning
coastal scenery and the sight of a dolphin if you're lucky. There are
gorgeous vistas of Robin Hood's Bay as you descend to this beautiful old
fishing village.

Day 12 : Leave Robin Hood's Bay
Location: Robin Hood's Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart Robin Hood's Bay after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

  • Route directions and maps 

  • Guide book with route information

  • 11 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 2 star hotels

  • All breakfasts

  • GPS tracks and maps

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Transfers to and from hotels

  • Visas & vaccinations

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

  • Hotel upgrades

Accommodation

INNS AND BED AND BREAKFASTS, COAST TO COAST We use well selected bed and breakfasts or traditional village inns, that are HH or HHH rated and which are generally family owned and with lovely views over the surrounding fells and dales.Many come with their own restaurant, cafe or pub; otherwise options for refreshments and dinner are available locally.All are comfortable, with ensuite or occasionally private facilities, with your hosts well accustomed to welcoming weary coast to coast walkers! Hearty English breakfasts are included as standard.

Food

Enjoy the local cuisine in quintessentially British pubs, cafes and delicatessens - The Lake District is home to many regional specialities including Cumberland Sausage, Kendal Mint Cake and Grasmere Gingerbread. However, there are also newer twists on traditional flavours to enjoy, with Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur and damson ketchup to name but a few.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    12+ age people can go on this tour.

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    A mix of 2 star hotels

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    No vaccinations are obligatory.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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