Walk the Coast to Coast Path through the Lake District
The Lake District section of the Coast to Coast Path follows the first 79 miles of the trail from St Bees on the Irish Sea to Kirkby Stephen, crossing Cumbria and the Lake District National Park from west to east.
From St Bees, the route initially follows the coast above the Irish Sea before turning inland across West Cumbria towards Ennerdale. The trail reaches Ennerdale Water and follows the valley eastwards into the mountains of the Lake District.
Beyond Ennerdale, the route crosses the high ground towards Borrowdale before continuing through the valley towards Rosthwaite. Mountain paths and passes then lead towards Grasmere, one of the principal stopping points on this part of the Coast to Coast.
From Grasmere, the trail climbs again towards Patterdale and the eastern fells. The crossing towards Haweswater takes the route over some of its highest ground before descending towards the eastern side of the Lake District.
Beyond Haweswater, the landscape gradually changes as the trail continues towards Shap. From here, the route crosses more open countryside through the Eden Valley towards Kirkby Stephen, where this section ends and the Yorkshire Dales section begins.
St Bees, Grasmere, Shap and Kirkby Stephen provide useful bases along the section, with accommodation also available in villages and settlements close to the route.
Overview
Distance: 79 miles / 127 km
Typical duration: 5–7 walking days
Difficulty: Challenging
Start: St Bees, Cumbria
Finish: Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
Terrain: Coastal paths, mountain paths, high passes, valleys, lakeside paths, farmland and moorland
Waymarking: National Trail waymarking along the route
EXPLORE THE COAST TO COAST PATH
Continue Exploring the Coast to Coast Path
Explore the complete Coast to Coast Path from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, or discover another section of the 187-mile trail.
Coast to Coast Path
Follow the complete Coast to Coast Path for 187 miles from St Bees across northern England to Robin Hood's Bay.
Coast to Coast Path Yorkshire Dales Section
Follow the Coast to Coast Path for 33 miles from Kirkby Stephen through the Yorkshire Dales, Keld and Swaledale to Richmond.
Coast to Coast Path North York Moors Section
Follow the Coast to Coast Path for 76 miles from Richmond across the Vale of Mowbray and North York Moors to Robin Hood's Bay.
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