England’s Coast to Coast Trail Reopens After £5.5m Upgrade

England's Coast to Coast trail, spanning 190 miles across three National Parks, has been upgraded with £5.5m investment improving accessibility, signage, and surfacing. Originally created by Alfred Wainwright over 50 years ago, the trail offers a challenging yet scenic walk from St Bees to Robin ...

Starting Point and Trail Overview

The tradition at the beginning of the Coast to Coast walk is to dip your boots in the sea near the village of St Bees.

This location, situated on the Irish Sea coast in West Cumbria, marks the start of a lengthy journey all the way to the North Sea.

The trail spans 190 miles (305 km) across three National Parks, extending from England's west coast to its east.

"It's got culture, it's got historical interest and it's got challenge, but it isn't too challenging," says Doug Sim, chair of St Bees Parish Council. "And by having a definitive start and finish at the beaches, it feels very complete."

The route has recently been designated England's newest National Trail following a £5.5 million upgrade. This project, led by Natural England and its partners, enhanced surfacing, signage, and accessibility along the path.

A map of the Coast to Coast trail from St Bees - on the Irish Sea coast - to Robin Hood's Bay - on the North Sea coast - showing Lake District National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park and North York Moors National Park along the way

Origins and Historical Significance

The Coast to Coast was originally devised and walked by the renowned fell-walker Alfred Wainwright more than 50 years ago.

Wainwright believed that the Pennine Way—a famous 268 mile (429 km) trail from the Peak District to the Scottish Borders—was too long for most walkers, requiring three weeks to complete. He envisioned a challenging yet scenic two-week trek instead.

In the early 1970s, Wainwright published a guidebook to the Coast to Coast, handwritten and illustrated with his sketches, which remains a celebrated work of art.

I personally walked the trail in 1991, carrying the guidebook. The weather was excellent, and I was fortunate to experience ideal conditions.

Chris Butterfield A red book entitled — Alfred Wainwright's guidebook to the walk alongside the pipe and glasses he took with him when he first completed it

Trail Difficulty and Route Details

The initial days through the Lake District are the most demanding, involving ascents and descents over multiple mountain ridges and remote valleys.

Reaching the village of Shap signifies completion of the most challenging section.

Previously, parts of the route crossed permissive paths on private land, which could be closed during certain times of the year.

In recent years, extensive legal efforts by local authorities and National Parks have secured official rights of way, ensuring year-round access.

Signage has also been improved, with way-markers now featuring the letters "aw" as a tribute to Alfred Wainwright, the trail’s originator.

A wooden signpost stands at a junction of paths, with two horizontal arms pointing in different directions. The right‑hand arm reads “Coast to Coast Path, Public Footpath” with a walking‑figure symbol. The left‑hand arm shows part of the same acorn‑shaped National Trail marker. Trees and grassland fill the background, and a gravel path runs behind the sign. In the centre of the sign post are the initials aw carved into it. — Alfred Wainwright's initials can now be seen on way-markers throughout the trail

Accessibility Enhancements

On the second day, most walkers proceed eastward up Ennerdale in the Lake District, an area that has seen significant improvements including new gates and bridges to enhance accessibility.

While it remains impossible for wheelchair users to traverse the entire trail, many sections are now accessible. This development is particularly meaningful for Annie Wallen, a local resident who uses a motorised wheelchair and can travel up to 15 miles (24 km).

She says Wainwright "might have walked in boots but I roll on rubber. I love it." Being able to complete parts of the trail is "really special" to her.

A woman using a mobility scooter with a dark blue jacket in the middle, travelling along a wide gravel track. Two men walk beside her, one on each side. The track runs through open countryside with grassy ground, scattered trees, and forested slopes rising on either side. Cloudy sky overhead. — Annie Wallen, who uses a motorised wheelchair, can now access more of the trail

Above the valley, the path extends over high ground where large flagstones have been installed to prevent erosion caused by decades of foot traffic from visitors worldwide.

Jo Willmott, a project ranger for the trail's upgrade, notes, "You often meet people from the US, Canada and other countries. It's showing the best of the UK."

Yorkshire Dales and Local Insights

After the Lake District, the trail continues through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The route passes from Kirkby Stephen over hills to Swaledale, past the ruins of old lead mines recently featured in the adaptation of Wuthering Heights, and through lush pastures to the villages of Reeth and Richmond.

This section is favored by Mark Reid, who has completed the Coast to Coast nine times and guides groups along the entire trail.

I met Mark on the village green in Reeth and accompanied him to the banks of the River Swale.

He says, "you've got a group of friends" after two weeks of walking, and visitors often return repeatedly. "You reach the North Sea and it's really emotional, there are people in tears. It's really quite a fantastic experience."

Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park . Two people, Danny and Mark , and a dog stand on a grassy riverbank beside a wide, calm river. A line of trees borders the water, and an old stone wall curves across the field behind them. The landscape rises into green hills with scattered trees and additional stone walls, leading towards distant higher ground under an overcast sky. — The stretch through the Yorkshire Dales National Park is guide Mark Reid's favourite stretch

The frequent returns by walkers contributed to the decision to invest £5.5 million in upgrading the trail, seen as an investment with clear future returns from visitor spending.

Final Stretch to the North Sea

From the Dales, the Coast to Coast proceeds to the North York Moors National Park.

In late summer, the moorland path is adorned with flowering purple heather. The route passes the iconic Lion Inn pub at Blakey Ridge, traverses wooded gorges, passes steam trains at Grosmont, and culminates at Robin Hood's Bay.

The finish is picturesque: a quiet, steep lane descends through fishermen's cottages with their distinctive orange pantile roofs to a waterside hotel and the sea, or to rock pools when the tide is out.

This is the location where walkers can dip their boots in the water for the final time and reflect on their journey.