Grassington to the East & West Coasts
Two fine, uncrowded walks from the middle of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, each walk is almost exactly 100 miles. Both directions are fully supported by our baggage transfer and accommodation booking services.
The walks can be completed in 7 days or you can take 9 or 10 or 11 days. There are two colourful guidebooks that lead you across the country to the West or East Coast. Each book describes every part of the route and plots it on the best Ordnance Survey Maps (1:25000 scale) which show all the paths and the field boundaries.
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Walk Information
The Grassington to East Coast Walk
A 100 mile walk from Grassington to Robins Hoods Bay which can take 7 days. Incorporating stages across two National Parks, as well as the rural beauty of the Vale of Mowbray.
Day 1 - Grassington to Middlesmoor in Nidderdale. 12 miles. Up through Mossdale and the watershed between Wharfedale and Nidderdale, at Sandy Gate. This is fine dales walking on wide tracks or moorland sheep trods. The first day ends at the stunning hilltop village of Middlesmoor. Close by and well worth a visit is How Stean Gorge.
Day 2 - Middlesmoor to Snape 15 miles. Up onto the high ground of Fountains Earth for a steady stroll across the moors until mid afternoon arrival at Masham. The second day could end here, or carry on to Snape four miles down the road.
Day 3 - Masham/Snape to South Otterington 14/10 miles. Plan a break in the lovely town of Bedale. Follow the River Swale as it meanders south to the village of Maunby.
Day 4 - South Otterington to Hawnby, the second half of the Vale of Mowbray followed by a climb up on to the Cleveland Ridge which offers stunning views back to the dales. Down hill all the way to Hawnby. 15 miles
Day 5 - Hawnby to Hutton-le-Hole, this day crosses the ends of the rigs so it is a series of short climbs and descent with a variety of landscape including some woodland paths. 14 miles
Day 6 - Hutton-le-Hole to Levisham. Beyond the village across low moor to Hartoft Inn for an early lunch. Then up into Cropton Forest, through Stape before dropping down to Levisham Station and a final climb up to the village of Levisham. 13 miles
Day 7 - From Levisham the recommended route is to walk down into the Hole of Horcum but it is also a fine walk round the eastern edge - they both come out on the road at Saltergate. Across the main Whitby Road and into the open moor beyond Fylingdales, past Lilla Cross and then due East all the way to the cliffs above Ravenscar. Down to Boggle Hole, and if the tide is right, walk along the foreshore to arrive at Robin Hoods Bay. 17 miles
The Grassington to West Coast Walk
The West Coast walk is also 100 miles of fine country walking. It is set out to be completed in 7 days, but because there are more places to stay it can be extended to as many as 12 days. This walk takes in a lot of the most popular natural features in the Yorkshire Dales, but heads out into some really wonderful wild places as well. The crowning glory is the brilliant light that always seems to shine out of the wide open sea and sand of Morecambe Bay.
Day 1 - From Grassington across Boss Moor to the The Weets above the Craven Fault beyond which is Goredale Scar - well worth a visit. Then Malham for lunch and a steady walk up Malham Cove followed by a traverse of land all the way to Settle. 15 miles
Day 2 - An gentle morning through Feizor to Clapham for lunch, followed by an ascent of Ingleborough and the long down hill path into the village of Ingleton. 15 miles.
Day 3 - Although Ingleborough on Day 2 is the highest climb, Gragareth on this day, is the steepest. Up Ingleton Glen or the alternative side road, along Kingsdale to Yordas Cave, then to the top of Gragareth and a choice of routes - round the high ridge, with very little extra effort, to Great Coum, from where the path drops down into the top end of Barbondale and the impressive fells of Old Westmorland. This is a 'two pack lunch' day and ends in Kirby Lonsdale. 16 miles (or plus 1 mile for the Great Coum route).
Day 4 - And so to the sea..... But a bit of gentle walking first. Over Farleton Fell and the edge of Hutton Roof to Burton-in-Kendal for lunch. Then, after crossing the M6, enter the fine open woodland which provides a haven and sanctuary for many birds. There is a reserve at Leighton Moss and the wildlife must spill out into these woods. The coastal village of Silverdale is just ahead.
Day 5 - This is a different day for long distance walkers because it includes a short train ride over the sands from Burnside to Grange-over-Sands for lunch. On the other side of the hill behind Grange is the amazing village of Cartmel with its priory and racecourse. Only 7.5 miles (walking) but for those who want more it is easy enough to continue to Haverthwaite.
Day 6 - Up the hill behind Cartmel and suddenly there is an expansive view across the Leven estuary, which on a clear day, will show the unmistakeable silhouette of the Castle on Piel Island. There is a good ridge walk before coming down to sea level, at which altitude the remaining miles are walked to Ulverston. 14 miles
Day 7 - The whole day is walked with the sea and sand on the left. It will be a bright day, even in rain or dull weather - Morecambe Bay is really all about the light of the sky. At Roa Island (which is no longer an island but joined by a modern road), there is an open boat out to Piel Island where the pub has undergone a major three year refurbishment. Piel Island is a jewel in the sparkling sea of Morecambe Bay. This charming little fifty acre island has a King, a Castle and a Pub, all steeped in history. 11 miles or 16.5 to Barrow.
Day 8 - If an extra day is possible it is worth staying for the night and then walking across from Piel Island over the estuary sands onto Walney Island (this is the way all the beer and supplies get to the pub on Piel Island, by truck!), and from there round into Barrow-in-Furness. 9 miles to Barrow.
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