Planning for the Wainwright Coast to Coast Path

Coast to Coast map from Sherpa Van website

Here it is - the entire 190 mile path from St. Bee's on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea through 3 national parks featuring mountains, hills, dales, lakes, swales, flatland and moors. We plan to walk for 13 days, averaging 14-15 miles per day with one layover day in Richmond, a city just past Reeth, for a total of 14 days on the path. 

We worked with an outfitter, the Sherpa Van Project, to reserve our lodging accommodations and move our bags to the next B&B each day. We'll be staying in a variety of hostels, B&Bs, hotels, inns and private residences.

Route - this is the plan, we'll keep you posted with pictures and observations every few nights (when there's an internet connection):

1. Start at St. Bee's, 14 miles to Ennerdale Bridge
2. 9 miles to Longthwaite in Borrowdale
3. 8 miles to Grasmere
4. 16 miles to Patterdale
5. 16 miles to Shap
6. 21 miles to Kirkby Stephen
7. 12 miles to Keld
8. 11 miles to Reeth
9. 11 miles to Richmond
10. Layover day in Richmond
11. 23 miles to Osmotherley
12. 21 miles to Blakey
13. 10 miles to Glaisdale
14. 15 miles to Robin Hood's Bay

Equipment: Besides the aforementioned trekking poles, daypacks (with rain cover) and well-broke waterproof hiking boots, the miracle fabric (wool) socks and turquoise scarf, we've got [tested] waterproof rain gear, quick-dry hiking pants, waterproof gaiters, moisture-wicking shirts and long underwear. And, because they're small and easy to tuck in a pocket, a stocking hat and gloves. Sun glasses? Well, we'll have them along, but may not need them.

Weather: It's a bit wet in the Lake District, averaging 78 inches of rainfall a year. And, the whole of the island is kept cool and temperate by the oceans, average temperatures are in the 50s and 60s in September. The landscape varies from mountains to moorland bogs, so we're prepared for cool, wet walking. In the event it's warmer and drier than usual, we trained in the heat on the North Shore, so hopefully, we're ready for most any weather.