Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap)
~5 days · 60.2 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap) is known for
The western leg of Wainwright's Coast to Coast, from the Irish Sea cliffs at St Bees over the Lake District's passes — Ennerdale, Borrowdale, Grasmere and Haweswater — to the limestone village of Shap.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 23 ft to 2,520 ft over 60.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 15.1 mi · 25%
- Downhill 16.0 mi · 27%
- Flat 29.1 mi · 48%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap)?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap) scores 37/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap) take?
Most backpackers hike the Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap) in about 5 days (4 nights out) over its 60.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap)?
The Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap) climbs roughly 12,175 ft total — about 202 ft per mile, topping out near 2,569 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.