GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

St Bees Head

6 miles (9 km)

Enjoy a coastal walk on this beautiful headland near Whitehaven. The walk along the cliff top path from St Bees is an exhilarating experience with fabulous views of the Isle of Man and the Cumbrian mountains and coast. The area is also an RSPB Nature Reserve with the largest seabird colony in north-west England.  These include Guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and razorbills. You may also see dolphins and porpoises.
The walk starts near the village of St Bees at the coastal car park. You then head north to Fleswick Bay where you will find a nice shingle beach surrounded by high sandstone cliffs. You continue to North Head, the most westerly point of Northern England. Here you will pass St Bees Lighthouse with views towards Saltom Bay and Whitehaven. You can turn it into a longer circular walk by continuing along the coast and returning on country lanes through Sandwith and Rottington.
The Cumbria Way passes St Bees Head so you could extend your walk by following the path to nearby Whitehaven. Alternatively you could start the walk from the town which is just over 6 miles away. It's a great cliff top path with fabulous views and benches along the way to rest. The route runs for just over 6 miles with the option of catching the train back to Whitehaven at the end of the walk. See the Whitehaven to St Bees Coastal Walk for more details.
The headland is also the start point for the Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk where you can head into the Lake District.

Postcode

CA28 9UY - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

St Bees Head OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

St Bees Head Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head into the pretty village of St Bees for some post walk refreshments. The 17th century Queens Hotel has a cosy country pub atmosphere with oak beams and log fires in winter. They do good food which can be taken in the nice conservatory or the terraced garden bar on warmer days. They also provide accommodation if you need to stay over. You can find the hotel near the train station on 130 Main St, with a postcode of CA27 0DE for your sat navs.

Photos

St Bees South Head - geograph.org.uk - 417580

St Bees South Head. Four miles south of Whitehaven sits the village of St. Bees with its long sandy beach.

St Bees Head - geograph.org.uk - 769426

Looking towards Fleswick Bay from old military signal and look out point.

RSPB Viewing Point, St Bees Head - geograph.org.uk - 1345380

A birdwatcher at the RSPB Viewing Point

Old Coastguard lookout point at South Head, St.Bees - geograph.org.uk - 545816

Old Coastguard lookout point at South Head, St.Bees

Nesting Kittiwakes on North Head - geograph.org.uk - 1192633

Nesting Kittiwakes on North Head. The cliffs of North Head, from Fleswick Bay northwards, have ledges eroded in the sandstone, which provide ideal nesting sites for Kittiwakes, visible only from the sea. In April or May, a sea kayak trip from St. Bees to Whitehaven gives an opportunity to see the cliff nests at very close quarters.

StBeesLighthouse

St Bees Lighthouse

View from South Head St.Bees to St.Bees Village and Lifeboat station - geograph.org.uk - 545867

View from South Head St.Bees to St.Bees Village and Lifeboat station

Sheepfold on St Bees Head. - geograph.org.uk - 96290

Sheepfold on St Bees Head.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

St Bees Head.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

St Bees Head.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)