Overview
Itinerary Odin’s Last Rune: England’s classic Coast to Coast walk is a 307 km route that takes walkers across farmlands, through the idyllic, yet challenging Lake District, the famous Yorkshire Dales, and the wild North York Moors. A wonderful walking journey.
In addition to the scenery, the journey along the Coast to Coast trail also offers walkers the opportunity to travel through history. The route passes through sites and settlements which once the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and then Normans made their own. Parts of Britain’s tumultuous history were played out in this region.
A.W. Wainwright was the creator of this popular walk which he described his 1973 book “A Coast to Coast Walk”. Although the path has changed a little since Wainwright designed it, his book is still regarded as the Holy Bible amongst walkers.
- Begin at: St Bee’s, Cumbria.
- How to get there: Take a train from London’s Euston station to Carlisle, then change trains for St. Bees (5 ½ hours).
- How to get back from Robin Hood’s Bay: Taxi to Whitby and trains to London via Middlesborough. Another option is: Bus or taxi to Scarborough railway station. Train to York, then change trains for London King’s Cross (3½ hours).
Fleswick Bay, St Bees Cairn on Dent Ennerdale Bridge Buttermere Stonethwaite Dove Cottage, Grasmere
1. Lake District
Day 1. St Bees – Cleator (14.5km) A pleasant seaside start to the walk. Remember to dip your boot toe in the Irish Sea to officially start your walk.
Day 2. Ennerdale Bridge (8km)
– From Cleator you gradually approach Lakeland, the province of poets and walkers. Ennerdale Bridge is the first of the Lake District villages we stay in.
Day 3. Stonethwaite (22.5km)
– Some good ascents today. Up near ‘Haystacks’, Wainwright’s beloved peaks, over to Seatoller and down to the picturebook village of Stonethwaite.
Day 4. Grasmere (14.5km)
– More valleys and hills to ascend, but with great views. Down to Grasmere and a visit to Dove Cottage, one of William Wordsworth’s homes.
Day 5. Patterdale (13km)
– The aspiring walker can choose to walk along the ridge of Helvellyn or along the valley to reach the picturesque village of Patterdale.
Day 6. Bampton Grange (20km)
– Kidsty Pike, the highest point for Coast to Coast walkers is encountered today, along with the old Roman road called High Street.
Day 7. Orton (19.5km)
– We leave the Lake District behind and make our way over the rolling plains to arrive at the quiet village of Orton.
Kidsty Pike Kirkby Stephen The Nine Standards Viking territory Reeth Richmond Castle
2. Yorkshire Dales
Day 8. Kirkby Stephen (21km)
– Lush, green countryside. Sunbiggin Tarn with its waterfowl, and then to Kirkby Stephen. Visit St. Stephen’s church with its famous Loki Stone. We suggest an extra day at Kirkby Stephen, if you need a rest.
Day 9. Keld (19km)
– We now enter the Yorkshire Dales and a steady climb up to the Nine Standards, a group of stone cairns. Then down to the village of Keld, our half way point.
Day 10. Reeth (17.5km)
– Along the Swale Valley, passing old Viking settlements such as Gunnerside and arrive at the solid village of Reeth.
Day 11. Richmond (17.5km)
– Walking along Applegarth Scar and Whitcliffe Woods we arrive at one of William the Conqueror’s towns – Richmond. We suggest an extra day here, to explore Richmond Castle, the narrow medieval lanes and the restaurants.
Day 12. Danby Wiske (22.5km)
– From Richmond it is a long and flat walk to Danby Wiske, situated at the lowest point on the walk.
Day 13. Osmotherly (16km)
– A fairly level walk. Visit the churchyard at Bolton-on-Swale to view the memorial to 169 year old Henry Jenkins.
Urra Lion Inn, Blakey Robin Hoods Bay Finally there!
3. North York Moors
Day 14. Urra (19.5km)
– The beginning of the North York Moors and the interesting, yet demanding valleys of the area.
Day 15. Blakey (14.5km)
– From Urra we proceed through the open moors to the wonderful Lion Inn dating from around 1553.
Day 16. Egton Bridge (14.5km)
– From Blakey, there are more moors to cross, so make sure you have a map and compass, in case of heavy fogs. Egton Bridge is a pleasant village to arrive in after the moors.
Day 17. Little Beck (10km)
– Take the opportunity to travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Goathland where you can visit the TV village of Aidensfield (from the Heartbeat series).
Day 18. Robin Hood’s Bay (22.5km) – our destination!
– Nearly there. More moor walking and then a three mile walk on the cliffs above the North Sea, before arriving at your destination and a welcome drink at the Bay Hotel.
odin’s last rune – walking the coast to coast
Rewards
Food: Cumberland sausages, full English breakfasts, local ciders, tea and scones, jacket potatoes, gammon steaks – all the foods that Northern England is famous for.
When to go? The northern spring or autumn seasons are recommended as accommodation is easier to obtain and the tourist numbers are lower.
Walking Gear: Good walking boots and socks are critical. Your boots should have been worn in. Take appropriate rain gear. Make sure it’s made from a breathable material such as Gore-Tex.
Our Take: Walking west to east is the recommended way as you have the prevailing winds behind you. Robin Hood’s Bay is a beautiful village with good facilities and staying there for an extra couple of days at the end of the walk is an option.
Odin’s Last Rune: ISBN -0-9578968-0-8 (169pp):
A personal account of 17 days on the fascinating Coast to Coast Walk.
History, walking and Viking tales
We’ve put together our experiences of life on the Coast to Coast Walk to help you plan your journey. We walk in the footsteps of the Romans and visit Viking villages. Odin’s Last Rune includes:
- Anglo-Saxon History.
- English Culture and Food.
- The Story of the Vikings.
- The Invasion of the Normans.
- Sites to Visit.
- Walking Gear.
- Suggested Itinerary.
- Challenges and Rewards.
- Price includes Post.
We post you a copy of Odin’s Last Rune once we have received your payment through Pay Pal.
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