Lake District & Eden Valley · Dog-Friendly · With Bag Carrying
Coast to Coast St Bees → Kirkby Stephen
Wainwright's great walk — six days of Lakeland wilderness with one faithful hound.
25 August → 31 August 2026
~82Walking Miles
7Nights
6Walking Days
🐾Dog Friendly
Day by Day
Tue 25 AugDrive to Kirkby Stephen
→
Wed 26 AugSt Bees → Ennerdale
→
Thu 27 AugEnnerdale → Borrowdale
→
Fri 28 AugBorrowdale → Grasmere
→
Sat 29 AugGrasmere → Patterdale
→
Sun 30 AugPatterdale → Shap
→
Mon 31 AugShap → Kirkby Stephen 🏁
ArrivalTue 25 AugPre-Walk
Drive to Kirkby Stephen
Drive to Kirkby Stephen and leave your car securely at Pennine View Park (~£7/day, locked compound with permanent staff). Check in to the Pennine Inn on the Market Square — walker-friendly, central, 5-min walk from car park. Good dinner and early night — the Packhorse minibus departs at 08:00 sharp tomorrow.
🎒 Bag carrying starts tomorrow — leave your main bag at the Pennine Inn reception clearly labelled before you leave. ⚠️ Important: Pennine Inn check-out is 08:00–11:00 and Packhorse collects at ~08:30. Leave the bag at reception when you check out, then walk to the Packhorse pick-up point.
🛏 Pennine Inn, Market Square, Kirkby Stephen ✓ Booked
Alternative: The Black Bull on Market Street. Always confirm dogs welcome when booking. Leave main bag clearly labelled for Packhorse collection in the morning.
Day 1Wed 26 Aug⛺ Camp
St Bees → Ennerdale Bridge
📍 ~14 miles⏰ Packhorse bus departs KS 08:00, arrives St Bees ~10:00
Collect your pebble from the Irish Sea beach and dip those boots — tradition demands it, and your dog will love every second. Clifftops past St Bees Head, farmland through Sandwith and Moor Row, the first big climb up Dent Fell, then down through the beautiful Nannycatch valley to Ennerdale Bridge.
🎒 Bag move 1 of 6 — Your bag travels from Pennine Inn reception, Kirkby Stephen → Fox & Hounds, Ennerdale Bridge. ⚠️ Check-out is from 08:00 — hand bag to reception before heading to Packhorse pick-up.
⛺ Fox & Hounds Inn Garden, Ennerdale Bridge ★4.6
Camp beside the river in the pub garden. No advance booking — arrive early in August. Your main bag will be waiting. Great pub food, dogs very welcome. Café around the corner has showers.
Day 2Thu 27 Aug⛺ Camp
Ennerdale Bridge → Borrowdale
📍 ~15 miles🏔 High route via Haystacks or low via Honister
One of the great days of the whole walk. Follow Ennerdale Water east through ancient forest. Choose the high route via Haystacks and Innominate Tarn — where Wainwright's ashes were scattered — or the gentler lower route through Honister Pass. Both descend into magical Borrowdale.
🎒 Bag move 2 of 6 — Fox & Hounds, Ennerdale Bridge → Chapel House Farm, Borrowdale. ⚠️ Note: Packhorse cannot service Ennerdale Cat Crag or Black Sail directly — your bag travels from the Fox & Hounds pub.
⛺ Chapel House Farm Campsite, Borrowdale ✅ Confirmed
Confirmed by Andrea Doyle · Dogs welcome ✓ · Hot showers 50p · No mobile signal in Borrowdale — tell someone before you go in. Langstrath Country Inn for wifi and a pint.
Day 3Fri 28 Aug🏡 B&B Night
Borrowdale → Grasmere
📍 ~9 miles🛁 Shorter day — arrive early, enjoy Grasmere
A shorter, beautiful day — up through Stonethwaite, over Greenup Edge, along the Helm Crag ridge and down into Grasmere, one of England's most beloved villages. Tonight you earn a proper bed, a hot bath and a real dinner.
🎒 Bag move 3 of 6 — Chapel House Farm, Borrowdale → Lake View Country House, Grasmere.
🏡 Lake View Country House, Grasmere ★4.8 ✓ Booked
✅ Booked · Ref 6720523841 · Holly Room · Check-in Fri 28 Aug 16:00–21:00 · Check-out Sat 29 Aug 09:00–10:30 · Breakfast included · Dog-friendly, no charge. Dog towels, poo bags and treats provided. Distiller's Arms pub 2 mins walk.
Day 4Sat 29 Aug⛺ Camp
Grasmere → Patterdale
📍 ~8 miles⛰ Helvellyn and Striding Edge views from the hause
Short but spectacular. Climb to Grisedale Hause with the Helvellyn massif towering above, then a long lovely descent through Grisedale valley to Patterdale at the foot of dramatic Ullswater.
🎒 Bag move 4 of 6 — Lake View Country House, Grasmere → Side Farm Campsite, Patterdale.
⛺ Side Farm Campsite, Patterdale ★4.3
Stunning Ullswater views. Arrive early for flatter pitches. Check in at tearoom 8am–9pm. White Lion Inn is 5 mins for food. Your bag will be waiting at the farm.
Day 5Sun 30 Aug⛺ Camp
Patterdale → Shap
📍 ~16 miles⚠️ Longest day — early start · New Ing Lodge full → Scar Side Camping
The big Lake District finale. Climb to Kidsty Pike with panoramic views of Haweswater below, then limestone plateau and rolling moorland carries you out of the Lakes to Shap.
🎒 Bag move 5 of 6 — Side Farm Campsite, Patterdale → New Ing Lodge, Shap.
⛺ Scar Side Camping, Shap
A C2C favourite — warm welcome, excellent facilities, great breakfast. Call ahead to confirm dog camping availability. Crown Inn in village is a good fallback.
Day 6Mon 31 Aug🏁 Finish!
Shap → Kirkby Stephen
📍 ~20 miles⚠️ Start by 07:30 — long but on easier terrain
The final push — limestone pavement, the pretty village of Orton, rolling Eden Valley farmland, and into Kirkby Stephen where your car is waiting at Pennine View Park. Celebrate at one of the town's great pubs. You did it!
🎒 Bag move 6 of 6 — New Ing Lodge, Shap → Pennine View Park / your car, Kirkby Stephen. Your bag arrives back where the journey began!
🚗 Pennine View Park — collect your car, Mon 31 Aug
Optional: if 20 miles feels too much after 5 hard days, camp at Orton (~10 miles, halfway) and finish on a 7th day — a much nicer final stretch.
Bag Carrying Service
Coast to Coast Packhorse run the bag transfer service along the full route. Your main bag moves between each overnight stop while you walk with just a light day pack. Absolute game-changer — highly recommended.
Your 6 Bag Moves — 25–31 August 2026
6Total bag moves
£102Total cost (6 × £17)
£17Per move (booked in advance)
20kgMax weight per bag
Move
Date
From
To
1
Wed 26 Aug
Pennine Inn, Kirkby Stephen
Fox & Hounds, Ennerdale Bridge
2
Thu 27 Aug
Fox & Hounds, Ennerdale Bridge
Chapel House Farm, Borrowdale
3
Fri 28 Aug
Chapel House Farm, Borrowdale
Lake View Country House, Grasmere
4
Sat 29 Aug
Lake View Country House, Grasmere
Side Farm Campsite, Patterdale
5
Sun 30 Aug
Side Farm Campsite, Patterdale
Scar Side Camping, Shap
6
Mon 31 Aug
Scar Side Camping, Shap
Pennine View Park, Kirkby Stephen
How It Works
Packhorse will send you luggage tags and labels in advance. Each morning, leave your labelled bag at reception or outside your accommodation before you set off (bags must be ready for collection between 08:30–09:00). Your bag will be delivered to that evening's accommodation before you arrive.
You walk with just a light day pack — water, waterproofs, snacks, phone, first aid and dog essentials. Everything else travels ahead.
⚠️ Important: Make sure each accommodation knows a bag is being dropped for you and that drivers can access the property between 08:30–16:30. Confirm access details with Packhorse when booking. The Fox & Hounds, Chapel House Farm and Side Farm are all on the Packhorse regular route.
Bag Carrying + Passenger Transfer — Book Together
Coast to Coast Packhorse Ltd
📞 01768 371777 | c2cpackhorse.co.uk | info@c2cpackhorse.co.uk
Passenger transfer (KS → St Bees): £50/person | Bag transfer: £17/move (6 moves = £102)
Tags & labels sent in advance · Bags collected 08:30–09:00 · Delivered before you arrive
The western half of Alfred Wainwright's legendary Coast to Coast — from the Irish Sea at St Bees across the full Lake District to Kirkby Stephen in the Eden Valley. ~82 walking miles over 6 days, 25–31 August 2026.
Car / Base
Camp night
B&B night
Kirkby Stephen
Mon 25
Night 0
St Bees Beach
Tue 26
Start
Ennerdale Bridge
Tue 26
Night 1 ⛺
Borrowdale
Wed 27
Night 2 ⛺
Grasmere
Thu 28
Night 3 🏡
Patterdale
Fri 29
Night 4 ⛺
Shap
Sat 30
Night 5 ⛺
Kirkby Stephen
Sun 31
Finish 🏁
Along the Route
St Bees Head — Wed 26 Aug Start
Ennerdale Water — Thu 27 Aug
Haystacks — High Route Day 2
Grasmere — Fri 28 Aug B&B
Ullswater — Sat 29 Aug Camp
Eden Valley — Mon 31 Aug Finish
Camping in the Hills
Coastal Cliffs — Opening Miles
Daily Distances
Day
Date
Route
Miles
Day 1
Wed 26 Aug
St Bees → Ennerdale Bridge
~14
Day 2
Thu 27 Aug
Ennerdale Bridge → Borrowdale
~15
Day 3
Fri 28 Aug
Borrowdale → Grasmere
~9
Day 4
Sat 29 Aug
Grasmere → Patterdale
~8
Day 5
Sun 30 Aug
Patterdale → Shap
~16
Day 6
Mon 31 Aug
Shap → Kirkby Stephen
~20
Total walking miles
~82
Bookings Checklist
Walk starts Wednesday 26 August 2026. Five confirmed — two still to arrange. Use ✉ Draft Email to compose ready-made enquiries for each.
Packhorse transfer + bags Wed 26 Aug · Confirmed by Sonia · £201
✅
Chapel House Farm, Borrowdale Thu 27 Aug · Confirmed by Andrea · dogs ✓
✅
Lake View, Grasmere Fri 28 Aug · Ref 6720523841 · £192.50
✅
Pennine View car park Tue 25 – Mon 31 Aug · Booked with Packhorse · £49
⏳
Side Farm Campsite Sat 29 Aug · Patterdale · still to book
⚠️
Scar Side Camping, Shap Sun 30 Aug · New Ing Lodge full — awaiting reply
🎒 Bags + Transfer — Book Both Together
Coast to Coast Packhorse Ltd
📞 01768 371777 | c2cpackhorse.co.uk | info@c2cpackhorse.co.uk
• Passenger transfer KS → St Bees, Wed 26 Aug 08:00: £50/person
• Bag transfers 26–31 Aug, 6 moves × £17 = £102 total
• Tags & labels sent in advance | Max 20kg per bag
📞 +44 1768 597002 | 23 Market Square, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4QT
✅ Confirmed · Ref: 6199254351 · Double Room with separate bathroom · Check-in Tue 25 Aug 15:00–21:00 · Check-out Wed 26 Aug 08:00–11:00 · £92.65 · Breakfast £9 extra · Dog confirmed, no charge
⚠️ Note: Check-out from 08:00 — Packhorse bag collection is 08:30 so leave bag at reception before heading to bus · Cancel free until 22 Aug 2026
📞 01946 861373 | foxandhoundsinn.org | ⚠️ No advance booking — first come, first served. Bank Holiday weekend — arrive early!
🌐 WebsiteNo booking taken — arrive as early as possible on the Bank Holiday.
Night 2 — Thu 27 Aug — Borrowdale
Chapel House Farm Campsite
chapelhousefarmcampsite@gmail.com | chapelhousefarmcampsite.co.uk
✅ Confirmed by Andrea Doyle · Thu 27 Aug · Dogs confirmed ✓ · No formal ref — booking confirmed by email exchange · Hot showers 50p · No mobile signal in Borrowdale
All costs for the full trip: Tuesday 25 – Monday 31 August 2026. Toggle between 1 and 2 walkers — shared costs (car park, Grasmere room) split equally. Food & drink is an estimate; actual spend will vary.
£201Transport & Bags
£338Accommodation
£225Food & Drink
~£764Grand Total (1 person)
🚌 Transport & Logistics
Subtotal: £201
Pennine View Park car parking7 nights × £7/day (Mon 25 – Mon 31 Aug)
£49
Packhorse passenger transferKirkby Stephen → St Bees, Wed 26 Aug 08:00 · £50 per person
£50
Packhorse bag carrying6 moves × £17 per move (26–31 Aug) · fixed cost regardless of walkers
£102
Transport subtotal
£201
🏕 Accommodation — 7 nights
Subtotal: £222
Pennine Inn, Kirkby Stephen — Night 0Tue 25 Aug · Booked ✓ · dog-friendly
£93
Fox & Hounds camping, Ennerdale Bridge — Night 1Wed 26 Aug · No advance booking, first come first served
£10
Chapel House Farm camping, Borrowdale — Night 2Thu 27 Aug · ⚠️ Book ahead — popular campsite
£12
Lake View Country House, Grasmere — Night 3 🏡Fri 28 Aug · Booked ✓ via Booking.com · breakfast included
£193
Side Farm camping, Patterdale — Night 4Sat 29 Aug · Stunning Ullswater views
£15
New Ing Lodge camping, Shap — Night 5Sun 30 Aug · Call ahead to confirm dog camping
£15
Finish day — drive homeMon 31 Aug · No overnight cost
—
Accommodation subtotal (per person)
£222
🍺 Food & Drink — estimate per person
Subtotal: ~£225
Monday — dinner in Kirkby StephenPub meal on arrival evening
🗺 Maps, Gear & Extras
One-off costs — not in total above
Harvey Maps C2C Strip Map (1:40,000)Highly recommended — covers full western section
~£15
OS Maps or Komoot appOr use free version — download route offline before you go
~£0–30
Dog supplies for tripExtra food, treats, tick treatment, collapsible bowl, spare lead
~£20
Emergency contingency fundTaxi if needed, extra night, blisters, unexpected costs
~£50
Estimated Total — 1 Person
Transport + accommodation + food & drink. Maps, gear & extras not included.
~£764
💡 Money-saving tips: The camping nights are wonderfully cheap — the big costs are the Packhorse bag carrying (£102 fixed) and the Grasmere B&B. If walking as 2 people the Grasmere room and KS hotel split in half, saving ~£85 per person. Bringing a camp stove and making your own camp breakfasts saves another ~£30 across the week. And the Grasmere gingerbread is only about £1.50 a piece, so there's really no excuse not to have several. 🍪
Kit List
Click any item to tick it off as you pack. Your main bag goes with Packhorse — keep it under 20kg. Everything else travels in your day pack while you walk.
0 of 0 packed
🥾
Walking Gear
Walking boots — waterproof, broken inessentialWear these on travel day — don't pack them
Walking poles (optional but recommended)Huge help on Day 5 descent from Kidsty Pike
GaitersUseful in Borrowdale and boggy sections after Shap
Boot liners / vapour barrier socksKeep feet dry on wet days
Blister kit — Compeed, needle, tapeessentialTreat at first hot spot, don't wait
Spare lacesMurphy's Law on a 6-day walk
Camp shoes / sandalsGive your feet a rest in the evening — lightweight Crocs ideal
👕
Clothing
Merino wool base layer × 2Odour resistant — can wear 2 days before washing
Mid layer fleece or softshellessentialAugust mornings on the ridge can be cold
Walking trousers × 2Quick-dry fabric. One pair on, one spare
Walking shorts × 1For the warm days — you'll be glad of them
Merino socks × 4 pairsChange daily — feet are everything on a long walk
Underwear × 3Merino if possible — no-wash for longer
Warm hat and glovesHaystacks ridge and Kidsty Pike can be bitter
Sun hat / capFor the ridge days with no shade
Evening / pub clothesLight — just enough to look human in the Fox & Hounds
Pyjamas / camp sleep layerDoubles as an extra insulation layer in the tent
🌧
Rain Gear
Waterproof jacket — fully seam sealedessentialNot shower proof — proper waterproof. Goes in day pack every day.
Waterproof overtrousersessentialAugust rain in Borrowdale is no joke
Pack cover / dry bagsessentialFor your day pack contents — map, phone, lunch
Waterproof bag liners for main bagPackhorse carries outside — bag can get wet in rain
Waterproof gloves or liner glovesWet cold hands on a ridge are miserable
⛺
Camping Gear
Tent — lightweight, freestandingessential4 nights camping. Under 2kg ideally — it goes in main bag
Sleeping bag — rated to 5°CessentialAugust nights in the Lakes are cold. Don't underrate it.
Sleeping mat — inflatableFar better than foam for comfort and pack size
Pillow — compressible camp pillowOr stuff a fleece into a dry bag
Headtorch + spare batteriesessentialFor midnight dog walks. Borrowdale has zero light pollution.
Tent repair kit — spare pegs, tape, pole sleeveAugust storms are possible
Small towel — microfibreChapel House Farm showers are 50p — bring your own
EarplugsSide Farm can be lively on a Saturday night
🍳
Cooking & Food
Camp stove — MSR Pocket Rocket or similarBreakfast + hot drinks on camping mornings
Gas canister × 2 (100g)essential4 mornings of cooking. Don't run out in Borrowdale.
Titanium pot / mug comboBoil water for porridge, coffee, noodles
Spork or spoonTitanium or long-handled — for eating from the pot
Lighter × 2essentialKeep one in day pack, one in main bag
Instant porridge sachets × 4One per camping morning — quick and filling
Coffee / tea bagsNon-negotiable. Also Grasmere gingerbread (buy on Day 3)
Trail snacks — nuts, bars, jerky, dried fruitessentialMinimum 2,500 calories/day when walking. Keep some in day pack.
Packed lunch suppliesMake up each morning — wrap, cheese, oatcakes
Washing up — tiny soap, small spongeClean pot properly — smells attract flies (and dogs)
Water bottle × 2 (1L each) or hydration bladderessentialDay 5 Patterdale→Shap is remote — carry plenty
🐾
Dog Kit
Dog food × 7 daysessentialSplit between main bag and day pack. Walking dogs need extra calories.
Collapsible water bowlessentialGoes in day pack — dog drinks when you drink
Lead × 2essentialOne short, one long. Livestock everywhere — leads on in farmland.
Dog poo bags × plentyessentialLake View provide some but bring your own supply
Dog towel × 2 — microfibreFor river crossings, wet grass, muddy paws in tent
Dog first aid kitessentialPaw wax, bandage, tweezers (for thorns), antiseptic
Tick removal toolessentialCheck dog every evening. Lake District has high tick density in August.
Flea & tick treatment — up to dateApply before you go if due
Dog sleeping mat / blanketTent floors are cold — dog will appreciate it
Dog harness (for scrambles)Useful if taking the high Haystacks route on Day 2
Dog treats × lotsReward for good livestock behaviour. Also bribes.
Vet insurance details / vet contactScreenshot your policy. Nearest vet to route: Keswick (Day 2–3 area)
🗺
Navigation & Safety
Harvey Maps C2C Strip Map (1:40,000)essentialThe definitive map. Keep in day pack in a waterproof sleeve.
OS Maps or Komoot — route downloaded offlineessentialNo signal in Borrowdale. Download before you leave.
CompassFor if mist comes in on the Haystacks high route
Phone + charging cableessentialIn waterproof case or dry bag at all times
Powerbank — 10,000mAh+essential4 camping nights with no plug. Charge at pubs when you can.
First aid kitessentialPlasters, ibuprofen, antihistamine, antiseptic wipes, blister kit
Emergency whistleOn day pack shoulder strap
Emergency bivvy bagLightweight — for unexpected weather on the ridge
Sunscreen SPF50No shade on Kidsty Pike or Nine Standards Rigg
Midge repellentAvon Skin So Soft or DEET. Ennerdale evenings can be brutal.
Small penknife / multitoolUseful for cooking, gear repairs, cutting cheese for lunch
Booking confirmation numbersScreenshot both: Pennine Inn 6199254351 · Lake View 6720523841
Packhorse contact + luggage tagsThey'll post tags in advance — don't lose them
🎒
Day Pack Contents
Day pack — 20–25 litreessentialMain bag goes with Packhorse. This is all you carry while walking.
Waterproof jacketessentialGoes in day pack every single day without exception
Water (2L minimum)essentialPlus dog water. Day 5 is long and remote.
That day's packed lunch + snacksessentialMake it the night before or early morning
Map (Harvey C2C) + phone with routeessential
Dog lead, bowl, treats, poo bagsessential
First aid kit (small)essential
Powerbank + cables
Sunscreen, midge repellent, lip balm
Warm hat + gloves (even in August)Ridges can be 10°C colder than the valley
Camera or phone charged to 100%Haystacks views are unmissable
£20 cashChapel House Farm showers are 50p — cash only at some sites
Essential Tips
🐾 Walking with Your Dog
Keep on leads through farmland and near livestock — plenty on this route. Carry a collapsible bowl and water. August can be hot — watch for paw pad burns on rocky paths and check for ticks every evening.
🎒 Your Day Pack (Bag Carried Ahead)
With bags going ahead, your day pack just needs: water (2L+), waterproofs, snacks/lunch, phone & powerbank, dog essentials, first aid, sunscreen, midges repellent, and a layer. Pack main bag to 20kg max for Packhorse.
📱 Navigation
The C2C is now an official National Trail (March 2026) — much better waymarked. Still carry the Harvey Maps C2C strip map and download the route on OS Maps or Komoot beforehand. No signal in Borrowdale.
🌦 August Bank Holiday Weather
Bank Holiday weekend — expect busy paths and potential rain. Pack full waterproofs every day. Midges in sheltered valleys at dusk. Sunscreen on ridge days. August nights in the Lakes get cold — sleeping bag to 5°C.
💰 Budget Summary
Car park ~£49 (7 days). Packhorse transfer £50/person + bags £102. Camping ~£10–15pp/night × 4. B&B Grasmere ~£80–120/room. Food/drink ~£25/day. Solo walker approx £450–550 all in for the week.
🥾 The Tradition
Pick up a pebble from St Bees beach. Traditionally you'd carry it to Robin Hood's Bay — since you finish at Kirkby Stephen (halfway), keep it as a memento. You'll have walked the harder, more spectacular half!
⚠️ Day 6 Warning (Mon 31 Aug)
Shap → Kirkby Stephen is ~20 miles. Start by 07:30. If you're done in, camp at Orton (~10 miles, halfway) and split into a 7th day. Your bag can be rerouted with a quick call to Packhorse the evening before.
🍺 Bank Holiday Pubs
Bank Holiday weekend means pubs and campsites will be busy. The Fox & Hounds at Ennerdale Bridge is first-come-first-served — arrive early. Book any pub dinners in advance where possible. The Langstrath in Borrowdale is legendary.
