England: Hiking the Coast to Coast Trail

Location: Europe
Duration: 8 Days
Price: From $6,295
Activity Level: High Energy

England: Hiking the Coast to Coast Trail

Location: Europe
Duration: 8 Days
Price: From $6,295
Activity Level: High Energy

Overview

Hiking the “Coast to Coast Trail” across England guides you through three stunning National Parks. Begin in the Lake District, England’s largest and most well-known national park, with its diverse landscapes of mountain peaks and glacial lakes. Continue to Yorkshire Dales, a beautiful expanse of valleys, moors, and hills. Finally, explore the North Yorks Moors, home to vast moorland heather and the charming fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay with its coastal cliffs and quaint pubs. Along the way, you’ll meet the first female winner of the TV show “One Man and His Dog” to learn about sheepdogs and shepherding, and indulge in local specialties – chocolate, tea, and scones. Over the course of the trip, you’ll traverse 46 miles of rolling hills, pastures, and stone fences, connecting the east and west coasts.

Main Attractions

Experience the splendor of England

Trek the famous Coast to Coast Trail, experiencing its beauty in stages.

Discover the breathtaking landscapes of three National Parks

You’ll visit the Lakes, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North Yorks Moors.

Learn the art of shepherding

Meet the first female winner of “One Man and His Dog” who will share her passion for working with dogs and demonstrate some of the techniques she uses as a shepherdess.

Map of northern England showing a route from St. Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay with icons for transportation methods and a zoomed inset of the UK highlighting the area.
Two women smiling and standing together, wrapped in a blue cloth, in front of a stone tower on a rocky outdoor setting.
A person stands smiling in front of a delicatessen with hanging baskets of colorful flowers. Cars and a church tower are visible in the background.
A group of people hike down a grassy hill with a stone wall, trees, and a winding path in the background under a clear blue sky.
Two people in hiking attire stand behind a wooden signpost on a grassy path, with a lighthouse in the background.
Two people walk along a grassy path beside a stone wall in a rural landscape under a cloudy sky.
Group of hikers resting on a grassy hillside under a clear blue sky, with one person reclining and others seated nearby.
Two people in hiking gear rest on rocks, holding trekking poles. They are surrounded by rocky terrain, with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.
Two people hiking through grassy terrain, one wearing a hat and holding trekking poles, and another following behind.
A tall cairn made of stacked stones is situated on a rocky hilltop under a clear blue sky, with distant mountains in the background.

Itinerary

A group of hikers holding a banner at the start of Coast to Coast Walk, standing on a paved area with the sea and hills in the background.

Arrive in England

Arrive at Penrith (North Lakes) railway station by noon, where your guide will greet you and transfer you to St. Bees. Begin your adventure with a hiker’s tradition—a short hike along the beach and up to the cliffs of St. Bees Head, the trail’s most westerly point. After your coastal walk, drive for an hour to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, enjoy a lively welcome dinner, getting to know your fellow travelers and sharing excitement about the coast-to-coast hike. Total hiking today: 1-2 hours with 500 feet elevation gain.

Meals dinner
A group of people hiking up a grassy and rocky hillside, dressed in outdoor gear and carrying backpacks.

Reach the Peak of Dale Head

After a short transfer to the Coast to Coast trail, embark on the trip’s most challenging hike with a 1,300-foot ascent to a broad ridge. Continue up Littledale Edge, reaching the peak of Dale Head at nearly 2,500 feet. Enjoy a bagged lunch on the trail. Descend 2,300 feet into the picturesque Borrowdale valley. After the hike, transfer back to your hotel. End the day with a group dinner, sharing stories of your adventure. Today’s hike: 6.5 miles, 4-5 hours, with 2,350 feet of elevation gain and 3,200 feet of descent.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A stone path leads through a lush green landscape toward a village, with a sunset visible on the horizon. Stone walls and trees line the path.

Sheepdog Demonstration

Begin your day with a short walk to Derwent Water and board a boat to Keswick. From there, travel to Orton in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Meet Katy Cropper, the first woman to win “One Man and His Dog,” and watch her sheepdog demonstration. Visit a local chocolate shop for some treats before enjoying lunch at a local café. In the afternoon, hike across the moors to your hotel in Ravenstonedale. End the day with a group dinner. Today’s hike: 7 miles, 4-5 hours, with 600 feet of elevation gain and 500 feet of descent.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Six people stand together in a grassy field with wildflowers, wearing hats and backpacks. A stone wall and a hillside with trees are in the background.

A hike through Swaledale and Classic English Tea

Start with a short transfer to the charming hamlet of Ravenseat for a hike through Swaledale, Alfred Wainwright’s favorite stage of the Coast to Coast route. Pass through picturesque fields and flower meadows, enjoying a bagged lunch amidst the beautiful scenery. Visit a local tearoom for classic English tea and scones and explore the nearby Art Gallery and Craft Center before returning to Ravenstonedale. Conclude the day with a group dinner at your hotel. Today’s hike: 9 miles, 5-6 hours, with 700 feet of elevation gain and 1,300 feet of descent.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
People sitting on a grassy hill, facing a vast landscape with fields and hills under a clear blue sky.

North York Moors National Park

After breakfast, drive for an hour and a half to North York Moors National Park. Begin your hike at Sneck Yate Bank, following a scenic trail along the escarpment to Sutton Bank, renowned by James Herriott as “England’s finest view.” Continue to the “White Horse of Kilburn,” a striking hillside carving. Enjoy a bagged lunch during the hike. Afterward, transfer to Helmsley, where you’ll visit the historic 12th-century Helmsley Castle and meet June Tainish, Garden Manager at Helmsley Walled Garden. End the day with a group dinner at your hotel. Today’s hike: 5-6 miles, 3-4 hours, with 300 feet of elevation gain and 700 feet of descent.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Coastal cliffside view with ocean and sky in the background. A signpost points to Cleveland Way and Robin Hood's Bay public footpaths. Sparse vegetation covers the rocky cliffs.

North York Moors National Park

After a 30-minute drive to Clay Bank, embark on a memorable high-level traverse of the North York Moors. Start with a short ascent onto the wild moors and traverse low hilltops along the whimsical “rollercoaster” section. Enjoy a bagged lunch during the hike, which concludes at the famous Lion Inn, the highest point on the North York Moors. Celebrate the day’s end with a drink before a quick drive back to Helmsley. End the day with a group dinner at your hotel. Today’s hike: 9 miles, 5-7 hours, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A person in sunglasses holds a black and white dog outdoors on a grassy area, with a stone wall and blue sky in the background.

Hike to the Coast

Drive to Littlebeck to begin your hike to the coast. Pass the picturesque Falling Foss waterfall and continue eastward, cresting a ridge for your first views of the North Sea. Enjoy a bagged lunch during your hike. The final stretch features a breathtaking coastal path leading to the charming harbor of Robin Hood’s Bay. Celebrate your achievement with a drink at a local inn. Conclude the day with a farewell dinner, reflecting on the stunning landscapes and remarkable hikes that have marked your journey from one coast of England to another. Today’s hike: 7 miles, 5-6 hours, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain and descent.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Two smiling people hugging in a sunny street near boats. One wears a hat and sunglasses, the other a blue long-sleeve shirt. Stone steps and a group of people in the background.

Depart England

After breakfast this morning, begin the 2-hour drive to York where you can get a train to Manchester or Edinburgh for your flights home.

Meals breakfast
A group of people walk along a grassy coastal path with sheep grazing on a hillside under a clear blue sky.

Accommodations

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

A rural landscape with a road, stone buildings, and green fields surrounded by hills under a cloudy sky.

Borrowdale Hotel

The Borrowdale Hotel is nestled in Borrowdale Valley and is one of the first coaching inns that began taking guests in the mid 1800’s. Enjoy the warm and comfortable atmosphere after a day of hiking in the Lake District.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, Wi-Fi

A stone building with warm lights, labeled "The Black Swan," has outdoor seating and is set against a twilight sky.

The Black Swan Ravenstonedale

Located right between the Lake District and the North Yorkshire Moors, The Black Swan is a family-run property that dates back to the 1800s but has been refurbished to add a touch of the modern to the traditional.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi

Exterior of a warmly lit hotel at dusk, with a mix of stone and timber architecture and towers in the background.

The Black Swan Helmsley

The Black Swan dates to the 15th century. With an Elizabethan building on one end, a Tudor one to the other, and a Georgian House in the middle, the Black Swan is wonderfully higgledly-piggledy, with bags of character.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, Wi-Fi

A large stone building with red roofs labeled "Victoria Hotel" featuring a public bar and tearooms, set against a clear blue sky.

Victoria Hotel

With stunning views of the North Yorkshire Coast, the Victoria Hotel offers the perfect base to explore the North York Moors National Park and the coastline.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, Wi-Fi

What People Are Saying

“Hiking the “Coast to Coast Trail” across England was an absolute thrill! From exploring three stunning National Parks to meeting the incredible sheepdog champion, and savoring local treats like chocolate, tea, and scones, this trip was a true adventure. Can’t wait for the next one!”

Dates & Pricing

Start Date End Date Availability Pricing Booking Link
Jun 23 Jun 30
Space Available
$6,295*
Standard Room, Single
$7,295 total, $800 deposit
Standard Room, Double
$6,295 total, $800 deposit

*Additional Pricing Information: 2025 Optional Single Accommodation: $1,000

Arrival: Arrive at Penrith (North Lakes) railway station in Penrith, UK on Day 1 before 12:00 PM.

Departure: Depart Manchester, England (MAN), or Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) on Day 8 after 6:00 PM.

What's Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on double occupancy
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • One group transfer on arrival and departure
  • Drinking water to refill personal bottles
  • Gratuities for hotel staff, luggage porters, and waitstaff

What's Not Included

  • International airfare to/from the United Kingdom
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, or travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Optional activities
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers

FAQs

Absolutely! We happily welcome all women regardless of race, creed, or sexual preference, as long as you are physically capable of doing the activities on your chosen trip. Our guests range from 18-85+! It is important to us to talk to each guest to make sure each woman chooses the right trip for her physical ability and interest.

You can process your registration on our online booking system or over the phone. Most deposits are $800. In many cases, and unless otherwise indicated, your deposit is transferable if you notify us in writing 120 before your trip departs.

Be sure to check the ‘What’s Included’ section of the trip you are interested in. Once you get to the departure city and meet the group, we often include most meals, all accommodations, all activities (although there might be an optional activity at an additional cost), transportation while on the adventure, qualified local guide(s) and some trips also include an AdventureWomen Ambassador. Our trips do not include airfare to/from the arrival and departure cities. However, internal flights are included in some itineraries so please read the itinerary carefully.

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it! Many of the women who travel with AdventureWomen come solo. For those that do not choose a single supplement, we pair you with a roommate. Usually, when we change accommodations on a trip, we will change roommates if we can, so you get a chance to know others in our group. A limited number of single supplements may be available for an additional charge.

That depends entirely on the trip! AdventureWomen adventure travel trips are rated according to the physical fitness level demanded by the included activities.

  • Moderate: These adventures exercise your mind more than your body and are designed for women who prefer a leisurely, less rigorous experience. For example, you could walk up to 2 miles per day through cities and villages, stand in museums for a few hours, relax on a boat, or view wildlife from a vehicle.
  • Active: Adventures that get you on your feet! You should be in good physical condition where you are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestone streets, biking manicured nature trails or kayaking calm waters.
  • High Energy: These adventures are designed for women who enjoy a physical challenge and crave being on the go! You should be prepared for itineraries that include (but are not limited to): a full day of biking on a rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing.
  • Challenging: Adventures that get your heart rate pumping, these are demanding yet deeply rewarding and designed for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. You should be in excellent physical condition, and be able to hike up to 10 miles, in steeper, more rugged terrain.