Date: Sunday, 12 July 2026
Day: 6
From: Bampton To: Tebay via Orton
Start Walking: 841am End Walking: 220pm
Distance (Planned): 19km Distance (Garmin): 20km
Progress: 108/306km
Ascent: 443m Descent: 385m
Weather: The worst of the heat has gone and we had a lovely breeze cooling us all day.
Stayed At: Westmoreland Hotel, Tebay
General Comments:
• You would not think such a short distance would make such a difference to the terrain. We have gone from serious mountain climbs to rolling hills, from sharp, rocky ridges to heavily grassed paddocks which are lovely and soft under foot.
• We left the Lake District National Park behind us and are now in Yorkshire Dales National Park. Speaking with some walkers yesterday, they are finding this new landscape a bit boring already, but to me, it’s just different.
• We started the day with a 2-3km walk through back roads to get back onto the official Coast to Coast Path. We didn’t see many other people early on as we finished yesterday at Bampton and most other walkers pushed on to Shap. So, they were ahead of us.
• Shap Abbey was a highlight. Basically the ruins of a flourishing monastery that happily flourished until Henry VIII shut them down, cleaned out their coffers, and the locals started pulling it down to reuse the stone in their own construction projects. The last word in recycling…
• The small town of Shap was the only village we walked through today and the rest of the time was spent in the wide open spaces. Unfortunately we had to cross the M6 at one stage and the traffic noise was incredibly jarring after so much peace and quiet.
• Tonight we have had to stay about 5km off the trail. We walked to a small village called Orton and caught a taxi from there. The Westmoreland Hotel is a bit fancy for a couple of daggy hikers like us, but we will take it.
• Check out their amazing farm shop next door, if you are interested. It’s the Lake District Farm Shop at Tebay. You could spend hours and a small fortune in there.
Top Tips:
• Signage: has improved dramatically in both quality and quantity in one day. It’s very easy to follow the trail.
• Footwear: The PiC changed into her trail runners today and set a cracking pace. If you are not a fan of hiking boots, then this section is for you.
Have a good day, everyone!
Life...one big adventure 
So many charming buccolic scenes (other than the highway). Another nice day. Maggie
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Yes, the highway really put a dampener on the joy factor, but once it was out of earshot, it was happy days again. Thanks for following along, Maggie.
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Enjoy the Dales Mel, I think you have struck gold with the weather! 😁
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Yes, hats off to you for organising the weather for us, Jim. You must have good connections upstairs! 😊😉
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You really have got the weather for it – most people to C2C and end up drenched to the bone on at least one day, with muddy feet and miserable winds. You’re now on the flat, mountains in the rear view – the walking is definitely easier from here on in.
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We are trying not to count our chickens as far as the weather is concerned as we read that things can change very quickly. We do know how lucky we are as anyone keeps telling us!😆🤣
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my acrophobia did not enjoy that bridge over the M6. It wobbled when big trucks went under it! You seemed to have no problem. Well done keeping up with the blog!
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Thanks, Peter. Luckily height, ladders, stairs etc don’t bother me, but I couldn’t wait to get away from the awful noise. And Yes, doing my best to stay on top of the blog. I realise a lot of people have gone before me and may appreciate the trip down memory lane…in fine weather! 🤣
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You are enjoying perfect weather, the Dales are lovely I think. And the M6 was very quiet. It never looks like that in the Midlands 😂
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It was a Sunday, but still so noisy. Maybe the valleys funnel the noise? And Yes, the weather is spot on.🌞🌞
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What wonderful views!
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Yes, it’s all so different, but still beautiful in comparison to the first 5 days…
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And suddenly everything seems more beautiful and greener now that it’s a bit cooler, right? Hey, what’s a hike without a picturesque bridge – lovely. And I see the PiC is still smiling – so, all must be good 😁.
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Yep, we are both still smiling and still talking to each other! Only another 9 days to go!😄😄
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Lovely smiley photo of H! A friend’s sister lives in Shap so I was pleased to see the Abbey xx
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Glad I could show you a little corner of the UK you are familiar with. The history there was fantastic. xx
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I’m a recent convert to trail runners, they are so damn comfortable. I got some in a sale in winter and promptly forgot I had them but they have been wonderful this summer.
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And I am kicking myself that I didn’t pack a pair too. The boots were perfect for the first part of the hike, but a lighter option now, would be perfect too. Note to self…
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Yorkshire Dales boring? What is wrong with people?
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I’m with you, Anabel. There is beauty everywhere, but each to their own…
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The limestone scenery around Shap and Orton is beautiful I think. X
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And the endless dry stone walls. Absolutely fabulous.
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Looks like excellent hiking. Beautiful countryside.
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It has been a wonderful experience to date and we have 8 more days in front of us. We are very lucky! 🤩
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Enjoy each moment!
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We are!😊😊🚶♀️🚶♀️
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