Coast to Coast Walk in England

Logistical advice is to try to fly into Manchester Airport.

From there an almost hourly rail service runs to Barrow in Furness, for at least hourly connections to St Bees.
Ignore all rail ticket booking websites. When you arrive just buy a Northern Explorer 55 ticket- currently priced at £19.20.
That will cover any Northern train on that route (and further) after 9.30am weekdays/any time at weekends. No railcard needed, available to anyone over 55.
For the fine coastal views sit on the left hand side of both trains.

Bring layered clothing for all 4 seasons- it can do anything in terms of weather (short of snow) especially on the Lake District sections, even in August.

At St Bees most guide books probably still talk about Hartley 's Beach Cafe. It has now closed as such and is now under new management as the Beach Road Bakehouse- far better than Hartleys was.
On Day 2 before you start off from Ennerdale do stock up at the shop and cafe at The Gather. It is a long way down Ennerdale with no facilities before Honister Mine. On the last Friday of each month there is a Community film club there at 7pm for £5.

Hi Grier -

My through hike on the Coast to Coast was way back in 1985, so not terribly relevant now. That said, I completed some of the Lake District sections last year and was on it on the North Yorkshire Moors (and coast) where it runs in tandem with the Cleveland Way a couple of months back. Like you, I am approaching seventy from the wrong direction!

In terms of preparation I would be getting in lots of regular walks and, if possible, including plenty of hills in them. While the peaks in England are admittedly not high in terms of sheer altitude on the Coast to Coast the ascents and descents are relentless throughout the walk. For that reason alone I would be taking walking poles - they really do take some stress off the knees especially, on both ascents and descents, plus they provide additional balance on the more rocky trails especially in the Lake District for instance.

So what do I wear on an English long distance trail? I should state that I tend to ‘run hot’ so am happy in thin layers. Thus I wear a wicking t-shirt and if I need to be warmer I wear a thin long sleeved half zip base layer on top of the t-shirt. I have added a couple of hooded versions of these to my wardrobe. In summer I try to wear shorts but have longer hiking pants in my main luggage as back up if the weather conditions require it. (This I ascertain by reading the weather forecast and looking out the window first thing of a morning - this doesn’t always work and thus I found myself in shorts at the highest point of the North Yorkshire Moors on a day when some folk were helicoptered off with hypothermia, although we were ostensibly in the grip of what Brits refer to as a ‘heatwave’! It was a bit brisk around the knees, but if needed - I didn’t feel the need as it happened - I had my full length waterproof trousers in my day bag.)

I always carry full body cover waterproofs in my day bag as a matter of course. In August I would think you would get away with a lighter weight waterproof jacket and waterproof pants. On the Cleveland Way I wore a very light windproof jacket which I also had - your waterproof would double as a windprooof if you wanted to save weight. I had both but never wore the waterproof as the weather was (remarkably) dry. That said, because weather conditions are so changeable and localised here, the waterproofs were in my bag every day without fail. I wear a baseball cap or ‘flat ‘at’ on my head if conditions allow but have a lightweight beanie for when the wind gets up. There’s also a pair of gloves and a Buff (or similar) in the day bag, every day.

I wore lightweight hiking boots on my latest Coast to Coast section hikes. What works for me are a pair of liner socks and a thicker merino pair on top of those. My boots therefore are a size larger than my regular footwear. I arrived at this system by trial and error over a long period - works for me, but I recognise that everybody is different and it may not work for them. I know the tendency these days is to hike in ‘trail shoes’ and if you can get away with that, fine. Mostly, whether to go with boots or shoes depends on a) how wet or dry it is underfoot, b) how rugged your trail shoes are in comparison to boots, and c) whether you feel the additional ankle support offered by even a lighter weight boot is necessary/desireable (on balance I think I do).

I am normally a fan of knee length gaiters but noted my lightweight boots don’t have the indent in front of the heel section to accommodate the underfoot strap, so left them at home. If the weather had been especially wet, I would have switched to a heavier duty boot and taken the gaiters but as it was I was prepared to risk the vagaries of the British summer!

(Continues below……)

I carry a minimum of a litre plus (two and a half pints) of water which I flavour with electrolyte tablets and I have some trail snacks in my bag. On the Coast to Coast there are some days where you don’t come across any opportunities to buy lunch or snacks en route, so it’s wise to have something to fall back on. Many days though there is something en route - check with your guide/organiser what the daily options are, in advance, at least the day before.

In addition to my wallet and phone, I also carry a small head torch, compass map and guide, although if you are in an ‘organised’ group you may not need to. Anything that might be adversely affected by water I put in either sealable - ziplock? - plastic bags or dry bags within my day bag. The phone has its own dedicated waterproof pouch.

I think that’s it. Hopefully there’s something here you might find useful. If you need further info, don’t hesitate to ask! Hope you have a great trip along the C2C - it remains my favourite English trail, and I’ve done plenty of them!

Ian

P.S. Also a minimal First Aid Kit - band aids, antiseptic cream and wipes, tweezers (ticks!), and Paracetamol. I’m told Ibuprofen takes the edge off aching muscles at the end of a long day, but for medical reasons I’m not allowed to take it, so paracetamol in the day bag and a tube of Voltarol in my main bag wash ups!

I've done this walk twice, in 2006 and 2022 both times were self planned and self guided, although in 2022 I did arrange luggage transfer (2006 I carried all my stuff) and stayed in B&Bs both times. Others have given excellent advice. You will experience all weather so pack with layers and don't skimp on the rain gear (as already mentioned). I'm a strong proponent of waking poles and used them on both of my trips.

Think about bringing two pairs of hiking shoes. I had both boots for the more rugged portions, like the lake district, and also a pair of low top trail running shoes to wear on days where there was more road walking or the trail was less rugged, like the days you're crossing a lot of fields. It gave my feet a break and I learned miles and miles of road walking in hiking boots can be murder on my feet.

When you are planning your days, don't forget about rest days! In 2006, I only had one rest day in Richmond. In 2022 my friends and I, acknowledging we were older with more aches and pains, we also did any earlier rest day in Grasmere as well as one in Richmond. Also, accommodation can fill fast in the smaller towns/villages so your planner should start reaching out now to see if places are taking bookings yet for 2026. Some will some won't.

Leave time to stay in, and explore the area of Robin Hood's Bay at the end. Tell the folks back home when you're about to finish so they can watch you on the RHB webcam on the Bay Hotel as you head for the shore line. We did that and I believe someone at home saved a screen shot of us briefly standing and waving towards the camera.

I've used OS maps, the Steadman book and the Far Out app for wayfinding. All were good all have pluses and minuses.

It's a fun, hard, enjoyable hike. Keep an eye out for the various honesty boxes and keep some change in your pocket to pay for any treats. You may not realize just how amazing a kit kat sounds until you open an honesty box in a farm yard and see it there, calling to you. Have fun!

Thank you very much for your replies. I have a year to prepare and plan to be in good shape for the walk. I welcome other tips or advice on preparing for the walk, and will refer to this post again as I prepare for the trip.

A friend also suggested bringing two pairs of hiking shoes/boots so it's good to have that advice confirmed. I do use trekking poles and dress in layers (I'm cold-natured) and I have good waterproofs. Flying into Manchester is a good idea.

A friend says that the best thing about the Coast-to-Coast is the people you meet along the way. I'm looking forward to it.

We flew into Manchester and recommend it. It is an interesting place in itself. Since you'll likely check a bag if taking your walking poles, give yourself an extra day prior to the start of the walk...just in case there's a luggage delay, and also it gives you a chance to get your legs before the start of the walk. We try to schedule at least 2 days ahead of a walk's start.

Clothes, including boots, depend so much on your preference as well as the weather you get. We had heavy rain...so much that the water was over the top of our boots. Luckily, the stops are well-equipped with drying rooms. You can try to go with waterproof boots or those that may dry more quickly. A pair of "trainers"/running shoes for the road/flat sections can be helpful. Some people swear by sturdier hiking boots, others by lightweight trail runners. Mainly, it's just being prepared with what works for you and taking preventative measures (we use Compeed or Glide on our feet to help prevent blisters; Compeed makes lots of great products, easily acquired at a Chemist's shop in Manchester). We are complete advocates for wool socks and shirts/tops.

We took snack bars and never ate a single one. The breakfasts were so big, we usually just had a piece of fruit or snack for lunch, which weren't hard to come by (honesty boxes, shops, pubs). We had a takeaway lunch the first day but not afterwards, as we didn't really need it, but most places will offer a sack lunch option.

In terms of walking prep, just getting comfortable with long walks and particularly hills, is important, particularly since you'll be headed right into the Lake District at the start. We walked 14 days (we were in our 60s at the time); we would likely add a rest day in Richmond, as some do.

The fact that many people do this walk more than once is a testament to the experience. There's a ton of info online, especially now that it's a National Trail. The C2C Facebook group is friendly and full of good tips, too.

Some people walk Hadrian's Wall?

Some people walk Hadrian's Wall?

Yes, lots of people do, not that it has been mentioned on this thread. Walking west some end at Carlisle (as they think there is nothing more to see), although that may become less prevalent after this summer's dig at Drumburgh - which found major 'new' remains of the wall there.
It'll be 30 years or more since the Ordnance Survey produced a special map of the walk.
Hundreds of people turned out last week to see the results of the Drumburgh dig.
At 'Bowness on Solway' there is a proper and rather pleasant formal end point to the Hadrian's Wall walk although a whole chain of Roman fortifications continues down the coast (with gaps) past St Bees to Ravenglass. If you do the wall first then the C2C it is quite possible to do C2C2C!!

A friend, age 75, did it last year. He walked and hiked in LA’s Griffith Park every day for a year to build endurance.

He leaves this weekend for the Canary Islands. He’s going sail from there across the Atlantic.

Good advice so far. I have hiked parts of this trail the last two years (near the Lakes District and Whitby/RHB) and it’s lovely. I recommend you download maps of the full walk to your phone. Cellular service could be spotty and nice to have a device showing you where you are at any given time.

The Hadrian's Wall walk is amazing! We did it a few years ago (yes, even west of Carlisle- in fact we started from Bowness on Solway). Part of the walk actually overlaps with Coast to Coast, which also means you do get a bit of the wall on the Coast to Coast itself.

For general walking advice, I would invest in really good hiking socks. The best ones are also quick dry which means if it's raining or you accidentally step in a puddle your feet are dry again in minutes (I once stood a bit too close to an incoming wave on a beach in Dorset and was shocked how quickly my feet were dry). Even if they are a bit expensive it is worth it.

Cat - you must be confusing paths. The Hadrian's Wall and Coast to Coast walks do not overlap - the latter is 20-50 miles south of the former.

I recommend you download maps of the full walk to your phone. Cellular service could be spotty and nice to have a device showing you where you are at any given time.

Relying on an electronic device always makes me nervous, and is not really what the Mountain Rescue Teams would suggest either. If not as your primary navigation tool, then as a secondary tool there is nothing to beat paper mapping, even if walking in a group. But it is also important that you can read the map! It seems to happen much less than it used to, but it is not uncommon for people to descend into the wrong valley entirely. It shouldn't really happen if you are looking at a map of good enough scale to count the stone walls or fences down, or the becks. Even if not on a marked path those are the kind of waymarks which can be invaluable.

Oh, you are absolutely right, I was thinking of the Pennine Way!

Regarding maps, if you buy OS maps now they come with a free download on their app which you can access even if you don't have service. That way you have both which is quite handy.

Also a minimal First Aid Kit - band aids, antiseptic cream and wipes, tweezers (ticks!), and Paracetamol.

Grier, that sounds absolutely wonderful! Just an FYI (and you may know this already) to let you know that Paracetamol is the British term for our acetaminophen (Tylenol).

I had to buy some in Romania, and it works just the same. And there, it only cost me 95 cents for a box of 20 tablets!

Mardee - 95 cents? You were robbed! I must say, I tried Tylenol (bought on travels) and didn’t get on with it. Prefer and would use for preference Paracetamol as it has no appreciable side effects, for me at least.

Hadrian’s Wall is a good walk but you walk for at least a couple of days before seeing any evidence of it, and it’s sorely lacking in Newcastle city environs! Also because the Romans were so good at building roads, we are still using the military supply roads that run south of the wall for much of it, so it does detract from the wilderness experience of it a bit. That said, in its central section (especially where it runs concurrently with The Pennine Way) it’s magnificent and it’s never less than interesting.

Ian

Interesting, Ian. I wonder if Tylenol has some fillers that are not friendly to you. Some of the Tylenol tablets seem to have a heavily colored coating, too.

Mardee - well, something in it made me feel off which was the opposite effect of what was required! Possibly just the ‘shock of the new’!

I'm enjoying the comments and making notes, thank you. Mardee, I have taken paracetamol (thank you, Doc Martin) and am aware that it is similar to acetaminophen. Unfortunately, I also can't take ibuprofen. I've flown into Manchester and agree that it is an interesting city and a good choice when traveling to northern England.

We've booked with Northwest Walks and they have booked our accommodations and have arranged for luggage transfer.

I'll walk in the Lake District for three weeks in February with HF Holidays to get a feel for the fells. I live in a hilly area and do hikes with elevation here in Oregon. What I'm not used to is walking for 14 miles for 14 days in a row, but I'm sure I can do it if I prepare properly. I plan to arrive a week or so early in August and walk in the Brecon Beacons with HF Holidays to get acclimated to longer walks.

I appreciate the comments about shoes, socks, clothing, food, and other "what to take" responses, as well as the "I've done it" comments.

Last May my husband and I (late 60s) walked the Cotswold Way (102 miles in 11 days). The only change we would have made would have been to build in at least one rest day - it wasn't overtaxing at all do it the walk without it, but in hindsight it would have been really nice to just kick back for a day, both to relax and to explore the towns we stayed in and the nearby sites.