Coast to Coast Walk
Description
- Name Coast to Coast Walk (C2C)
- Length of trail 306 km, 190 miles
- Length in days 15 days
- Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
- Hut tour grading T1, Walk
190 miles, 304 km, 15 days
The immensely popular Coast to Coast Walk is not officially a trail, but the creation of one man, the legendary Alfred Wainwright. The first edition of his guide book dates from 1973.
Why is this path so popular among hikers? Hiking the 190 miles, 304 km, you are treated to some of the most beautiful English landscapes: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales (part of the Pennines) and the North York Moors. It is by no means an easy walk, especially when you choose the alternative paths higher up, which is stimulating too. In addition, while walking you connect one sea to the next. In the end what really counts are symbolism and myth, though Wainwright must have foreseen it all: "Surely there can not be a finer itinerary for a long distance walk", he wrote.
As mentioned, you are free to choose your own path, which is what Wainwright suggested in the first place. Over time some sections of the trail have been moved.
The crowds of hikers have resulted in many local people offering B & B, and travel companies ready to transport your luggage and arrange accommodation. If all this is too modern for you, just carry along your tent and a copy of Wordsworth's poems.
Opinions
- Amy Lam August 2013
- Rate 8
- Positive A bed waiting for me every night.
- Negative Unclear trail markings
- pc22 March 2007
- Rate 8
- Positive A great walk that has three differnt flavours....the start in the lakes is amazing....the pull over the Pennines is a tough slog and then into the north york moors and the yorkshire coast....Robin hoods bay (the finish) is a great little spot, full of old world charm
- Negative I did it at the wrong time of year...hoping spring had sprung i went too early and got hit by feirce storms and some snow over the Pennine section.....BUt that only made the finish feel more rewarding
Map
Hike Reports
Links
Facts
- The Coast to Coast Walk - the complete resource centre for the Coast to Coast route
Home page of the trail.
- The Coast to Coast Walk on Walking Places
C2C Homepage on Walkingplaces.
- A Coast to Coast Walk - Alfred Wainwright
The Wainwright Society's aim is to keep alive the things which AW promoted.
- Coast to Coast Walk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Coast to Coast Walk on AboutBritain.com
Sectionwise description
Reports
- A blog of my travels » Coast to Coast – booked
Fine blog for you.
- Coast to Coast Walk
Generations of hikers enjoyed Wrainwrights walk. Take this website: John walked the trail in 2004 and 2009 (east-west), after his father took the challenge in 1980 and his son in 2002. You'll find all their stories and more!
- Coast to Coast Walk Journals
List of reports
- coast to coast walk, walk, Coast to Coast, wainwright, C2C, photo diary, Brian Downing and Gail Downing
Excellent photo diary.
- Far 2 Go Family on Walking Places
The family walked the C2C in 2009.
- John's Coast to Coast Walk, July 2008
This is John Gillatt's report of the hike.
- Lonewalker's Coast to Coast Journal 2006
Walking from St. Bees to Robin Hood Bay along the C2C in twelve days. Lots of maps and pictures.
- The Coast to Coast Walk on Walking Places
List of reports
- The Lost Walker on Walking Places
Coast to Coast September 2009. Journal, slide shows and fundraising for St Andrews.
- Tough As Young Boots Tour 2005
Catherine and Kate report of their crossing in 2005.
- Trail Journals, Backpacking and Hiking Journals
All trail journals from the popular www.trailjournals.com regarding the Coast to Coast Walk.
- Walking Bass on Walking Places
The Coast to Coast journal of these two people is a must see, because the photographs are beautiful indeed.
- Ashley Heeley's Coast to Coast Diary
Ashley doesn't use too many words, so you might start reading his account of the C2C trail.
- Coast to Coast Footpath
Report by Janice and Alastair Lightlys, who did the hike together with their dog.
- Coast to Coast Walk
day to day report (menu upper-left) and facts, by Ian Fisk.
- Deborah & Gwen's Coast to Coast Diary
Fine day to day account of this grand walk, by mother and daughter: "My name is Deborah (to my Mum) Debbie, Debs or Deb (to my friends). My Mum, Gwen, is 75 (she won’t mind me telling)".
- Famous Five Grannies on Walking Places
The Five famous Grannies might be 63 years old on average, they finished the C2C in just 13 days.
- Footloose Librarians' Homepage on Walking Places
The journal of two Texans ("unrepentant about it"). Their final thoughts: ""Great satisfaction, of course. A sense of accomplishment that will likely never be erased. But also a sadness that the adventure has come to an end".
- Gregg Neilson's Coast to Coast Diary
Report of part of the trail, 2004.
- Gregg Neilson's Coast to Coast Diary 2009
This is Gregg's second time on the C2C, and he concludes the walk was unforgettible. His pictures bear witness!!
- Journeyman's C2C 2008 Journal
Journeyman returned to the Coast to Coast Walk. Here is his trip diary.
- Journeyman's C2C Journal
Including a section on geocaching.
- Kev and Liz's Coast to Coast Diary
Links, photo gallery, day to day descriptions, and a C2C equipment list.
- Lonewalker's Coast to Coast Journal 2009
Also Lonewalker returned to the Coast to Coast Walk. Here is the full account of his second journey.
- M.A.D. on the C2C - A Walking Places Journal
Two middle aged teeners hiking the Coast to Coast Walk back in 2009.
- Nathalie Penders'Hiking Page
Nathalie Penders put her story of several long distance hikes - GR5, GR10, GR20, C2C - online.
- Pete's Coast to Coast walk - July 2011
Trip report and pictures from Pete Lockey's solo C2C walk in July 2011
- Stottie Walks on Walking Places
Day to day description from Pete Stott, 2007.
- The Coast to Coast Walk - online journals of Coast to Coast walks
List of journals
- The Savage's Homepage on Walking Places
Journal of the C2C in mid August. "The Dad and the Teen hit the trails", to conclude: "Good luck with your C2C adventure, I hope you enjoy as much as we did".
- The Savage's Other Homepage on Walking Places
Another account of the Coast to Coast Walk by the Savages family, noting "Never go back. It’s a golden rule that’s served me pretty well down the years. But here I am doing the C2C again; just a year after it had been ticked off the must do list".
- Walk & Bike on Walking Places
Diary from 1991, every episode starting with picture of the day.
- Wally Trimble on the Coast to Coast Walk
Day to day short description and pictures.
Guides and maps
- A Wainwright's A Coast to Coast Walk - Striding Edge
The BBC broadcasted the walk in six episodes, with historic material of Wainwright himself.
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
- A Coast to Coast Walk - Online Petition
The Missing National Trail! Yes, Wainwrights followers are getting serious.
Books
United Kingdom
2018
- The Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk
- From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic through the Baetic Mountains Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids The Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk - Andalusie | Cicerone
- Guidebook to the Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk, a 440km, 21-day route from Maro on the Mediterranean coast to Bolonia, on the Atlantic. The route, which passes through 7 Natural Parks, links some of Andalucía's most beautiful villages and passes historical sites of both Roman and Moorish origins, including Ronda and Tarifa. Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids Coast to Coast the Wainwright Route | Rucksack Readers
- St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay Read more
United Kingdom
2018
- The Southern Upland Way
- Scotland's Coast to Coast trail Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
United Kingdom
2018
- Southern Upland Way
- The Southern Upland Way is Scotland`s coast-to-coast walk and the longest of the nation`s Great Trails. 215 miles long, it links the pretty harbour village of Portpatrick on the west coast with Cockburnspath, a little south of Dunbar, in the east. The walk is at times a strenuous one, crossing the remote high moorland of the Galloway Hills,... Read more
Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids The Southern Upland Way | Cicerone
- Guidebook to the Southern Upland Way, a coast to coast walk through Galloway and the Scottish Borders. One of Scotland's Great Trails, the 347km (215 mile) route links Portpatrick on the west coast to Cockburnspath on the east, through diverse landscapes and rich natural and historical interest. It can be completed in around a fortnight. Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
United Kingdom
- Mission Afoot Volume 1
- A Journey of Discovery about Life Itself Inspired by the 200 Mile Coast to Coast Walk Across Britain Read more
United Kingdom
- Coast to Coast with Wainwright
- This is a new edition of the classic photographic book containing the walk A. Wainwright devised in 1973, covering rights of way and areas of open access between the Irish sea and the North Sea. The route starts at St Bees Head and finishes at Robin Hood Bay, passing through three National Parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the... Read more
United Kingdom
- Coast to Coast Path (Trailblazer British Walking Guide): 109 Large-Scale Walking Maps & Guides to 33 Towns & Villages - Planning, Places to Stay, Places to Eat - St Bees to Robin Hood`s Bay
- All-in-one, practical guide to walking the Coast to Coast Path across northern England inspired by Alfred Wainwright, the most popular of the 18 long-distance UK paths. Fully revised 9th edition of this classic 191-mile walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Crossing three national parks - the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the... Read more
United Kingdom
- North York Moors Harvey British Mountain Map XT40
- North Yorkshire Moors National Park at 1:40,000 on a GPS compatible, contoured map from Harvey Map Services printed on light, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper, with a geological map of the region on the reverse, advice on safety and first aid, etc.The map covers most of the area on one side, but with the northernmost and... Read more
United Kingdom
2018
- Coast to Coast Path: St Bees to Robin Hood`s Bay
- All-in-one, practical guide to walking the Coast to Coast Path across northern England inspired by Alfred Wainwright. Fully revised 8th edition of this classic 191-mile walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Crossing three fabulous national parks - the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors - it samples the very best of... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
2018
- Coast to Coast Path (Trailblazer British Walking Guide)
- All-in-one, practical guide to walking the Coast to Coast Path across northern England inspired by Alfred Wainwright. Fully revised 8th edition of this classic 191-mile walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Crossing three fabulous national parks - the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors - it samples the very best of... Read more
Belgium
2018
- Coast to Coast Path (Trailblazer British Walking Guide)
- All-in-one, practical guide to walking the Coast to Coast Path across northern England inspired by Alfred Wainwright. Fully revised 8th edition of this classic 191-mile walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Crossing three fabulous national parks - the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors - it samples the very best of... Read more
Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids Coast to Coast Path: St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay | Trailblazer
- All-in-one, practical guide to walking the Coast to Coast Path across northern England inspired by Alfred Wainwright. Fully revised 8th edition of this classic 191-mile walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Crossing three fabulous national parks - the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors - it samples the very best of... Read more
Netherlands
- In the Footprints of Wainwright
- Derry Brabbs spent the best part of a decade taking the photographs for the large-format illustrated walking guides which A. Wainwright wrote from 1984 to 1992, when his legendary series of Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells was complete. This is a fascinating account of Derry's training and adventures from his early days as a photographer,... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- In the Footprints of Wainwright
- Derry Brabbs spent the best part of a decade taking the photographs for the large-format illustrated walking guides which A. Wainwright wrote from 1984 to 1992, when his legendary series of Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells was complete. This is a fascinating account of Derry's training and adventures from his early days as a photographer,... Read more
Netherlands
2010
- The Andalucian Coast-to-coast Walk
- This is a stunning 21-day walk to do as a whole or in part, taking you through the heart of Andalucia. The Andalucian Coast-to-Coast Walk is the fruit of acclaimed author and walking expert Guy Hunter-Watts' quest for a walking route that would link the region's most beautiful and ancient footpaths. The walk winds its way through six of... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2010
- The Andalucian Coast-to-coast Walk
- This is a stunning 21-day walk to do as a whole or in part, taking you through the heart of Andalucia. The Andalucian Coast-to-Coast Walk is the fruit of acclaimed author and walking expert Guy Hunter-Watts' quest for a walking route that would link the region's most beautiful and ancient footpaths. The walk winds its way through six of... Read more
United Kingdom
- The English Coast to Coast Walk
- What it's really like and how to do it Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
Netherlands
- The English Coast to Coast Walk
- England - a country rich in landscape, history and tradition. John Davison takes you on one of the most famous hikes in the world: the English Coast to Coast Walk. Start at one sea and finish at another on Wainwright's classic route across England. 192 miles over mountain and moorland, alongside rivers and lakes, across three National Parks.... Read more
Belgium
- The English Coast to Coast Walk
- England - a country rich in landscape, history and tradition. John Davison takes you on one of the most famous hikes in the world: the English Coast to Coast Walk. Start at one sea and finish at another on Wainwright's classic route across England. 192 miles over mountain and moorland, alongside rivers and lakes, across three National Parks.... Read more
Netherlands
2016
- Coast to Coast path
- Fully revised 7th edition of this classic191-mile walk across northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea,inspired by Alfred Wainwright. Crossing three fabulous national parks - theLake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors - it samples thevery best of the English countryside - rugged mountains and lakes, gentle... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2016
- Coast to Coast path
- Fully revised 7th edition of this classic191-mile walk across northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea,inspired by Alfred Wainwright. Crossing three fabulous national parks - theLake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors - it samples thevery best of the English countryside - rugged mountains and lakes, gentle... Read more
Maps
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
United Kingdom
- Coast to Coast West - St Bees to Keld Harvey National Trail XT40
- The western part of the Coast to Coast hiking route between St Bees and Keld presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map shows this section of the route on six overlapping panels from the Irish Sea coast of Cumbria to Keld and the intersection of the Coast to Coast Walk and the Pennine... Read more
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart Coast to Coast west | Harvey Maps
- The western part of the Coast to Coast hiking route between St Bees and Keld presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map shows this section of the route on six overlapping panels from the Irish Sea coast of Cumbria to Keld and the intersection of the Coast to Coast Walk and the Pennine... Read more
United Kingdom
- Yorkshire Dales Harvey Touring & Planning Map
- Yorkshire Dales on a road map at 1:100,000 from Harvey Map Services with several enlargements showing main roads across local towns, plus descriptions of interesting locations, advice on public transport, etc. The map shows the Dales region with altitude colouring to indicate the region’s topography. Long-distance trails such as the Dales Way,... Read more
Netherlands
Netherlands
United Kingdom
- Coast to Coast East - Keld to Robin Hood`s Bay Harvey National Trail XT40
- The eastern part of the Coast to Coast hiking route between Keld and Robin Hood`s Bay presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map shows this section of the route on six overlapping panels, starting at the intersection of the Coast to Coast Walk and the Pennine Way, and leading across the... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart Coast to Coast East | Harvey Maps
- The eastern part of the Coast to Coast hiking route between Keld and Robin Hood's Bay presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map shows this section of the route on six overlapping panels, starting at the intersection of the Coast to Coast Walk and the Pennine Way, and leading across the... Read more