Many people are surprised to learn that the Coast to Coast route isn't an officially designated National Trail whereas the Pennine Way is. No matter what it's official status, Alfred Wainwright devised it in 1973 and it's now a popular walk stretching 190 miles from St. Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hoods Bay on the North York Moors coast.
Most people choose to walk it from West to East to make it slightly easier so the prevailing weather comes from behind.
It's not for the faint-hearted and if you walked the entire route, it would take you around 10-14 days. If you don't fancy doing the whole length, you might consider doing the part in the middle, which conveniently happens to be in the Yorkshire Dales...
You could start at Kirkby Stephen, which has a railway station a little outside the small town. The route from Kirkby Stephen to Keld is relatively easy - eleven miles. En route you'll see fine views and Nine Standards Rigg, giant cairns on the old Westmoreland boundary. From there the route goes across some boggy moorland on to Keld, where there some stunning waterfalls and good places to stay overnight.
From Keld the route continues through Swaledale towards Reeth. You can choose from a gentle route along the River Swale or through the ruins of the former lead mines. Wainwright suggested that walkers should choose to see the legacy of the leadmining on the landscape, which contrast strongly with the hay meadows. Crackpot Hall is a much loved local landmark, deteriorating over time but still in a beautiful setting. Arriving in Reeth, there are plenty of pubs, cafes and places to stay overnight, all clustered around the attractive green.
After a rest in Reeth, the Coast to Coast route continues to Marrick Priory, once home of Bendictine nuns. and now a curious mixture of priory ruins, run-down house and an outdoor activity centre. There are about 375 'Nun's Stairs' from the priory up to the hamlet of Marrick. After Marrick comes Marsk and eventually the views into Richmond, where you can easily spend a couple of days, resting, enjoying the Georgian architecture and castle.
All images by Guy Carpenter
Most people choose to walk it from West to East to make it slightly easier so the prevailing weather comes from behind.
It's not for the faint-hearted and if you walked the entire route, it would take you around 10-14 days. If you don't fancy doing the whole length, you might consider doing the part in the middle, which conveniently happens to be in the Yorkshire Dales...
You could start at Kirkby Stephen, which has a railway station a little outside the small town. The route from Kirkby Stephen to Keld is relatively easy - eleven miles. En route you'll see fine views and Nine Standards Rigg, giant cairns on the old Westmoreland boundary. From there the route goes across some boggy moorland on to Keld, where there some stunning waterfalls and good places to stay overnight.
From Keld the route continues through Swaledale towards Reeth. You can choose from a gentle route along the River Swale or through the ruins of the former lead mines. Wainwright suggested that walkers should choose to see the legacy of the leadmining on the landscape, which contrast strongly with the hay meadows. Crackpot Hall is a much loved local landmark, deteriorating over time but still in a beautiful setting. Arriving in Reeth, there are plenty of pubs, cafes and places to stay overnight, all clustered around the attractive green.
After a rest in Reeth, the Coast to Coast route continues to Marrick Priory, once home of Bendictine nuns. and now a curious mixture of priory ruins, run-down house and an outdoor activity centre. There are about 375 'Nun's Stairs' from the priory up to the hamlet of Marrick. After Marrick comes Marsk and eventually the views into Richmond, where you can easily spend a couple of days, resting, enjoying the Georgian architecture and castle.
All images by Guy Carpenter
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