Shap to Orton
Stage 6 of the Coast to Coast Path (16 stages, walked west to east from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay) is the day the high fells release their grip. Leaving Shap, the route crosses the M6 by footbridge and climbs gently onto the Westmorland limestone plateau, threading the empty, prehistory-rich moors of Crosby Ravensworth Fell before dropping into the unspoilt village of Orton. At around 5.4 miles (8.67 km) with only about 237 m of ascent, it is one of the easiest days of the whole walk and a deliberate recovery stage after the long Patterdale-to-Shap fell crossing. Somewhere east of Oddendale the path slips out of the Lake District and into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, whose 2016 extension drew in these Westmorland fells. The walking is springy turf, sheep pasture and the silver-grey limestone pavement of Orton Scar, scattered with concentric stone circles, a Romano-British settlement and Robin Hood's Grave. Birdlife is rich on the open ground. Underfoot it is mostly easy, but it is open, exposed country with few facilities between the two villages, so carry water and food, and Orton rewards arrival with a pub, a village shop and a celebrated chocolate factory. The Coast to Coast Path was designated a fully waymarked National Trail in 2026.

Shap to Orton