ENGLAND
Coast-to-Coast +
Lake District Loop
Created by the illustrious fell walker Alfred Wainwright, the Coast to Coast is an unofficial and often unsigned nearly 200-mile path that passes through three contrasting national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors. I added another 50 miles peak-bagging in the Lake District.
C2C: day 1, getting to the start
I wear throwaway clothes on the plane for comfort and pack my hiking clothes for the trail.
C2C: day 2, Manchester to St. Bees
A long flight to Manchester is followed by a train ride to St. Bee’s and a beer in a Wainwright glass.
C2C: day 3, St. Bees to Ennerdale Water
The Coast-to-Coast begins with a dunk in the Irish Sea and picking up a pebble to drop in the North Sea.
C2C: day 4, Ennerdale Water to Wasdale
From Ennerdale Water, it’s off route up and over the hills towards Wasdale, climbing capitol of the Lake District.
C2C: day 5, Wasdale to Seathwaite
The climb up Sca Fell is in a white out which finally clears for great views and a cobble-stone walkway.
C2C: day 6, climb on and have fun
It’s climbing on some gnarly crags before thunder comes and we escape in pouring rain.
C2C: day 7, Seatollar to Keswick
The day is misty, but the climb is still lovey under the cloud to Keswick and a good meal.
C2C: day 8, Keswick to below Blencathra
The mist continues and views are limited, but ends in a magical night next to a stream.
C2C: day 9, Blencathra to Mosedale Beck, below Clough Head
The Coast-to-Coast continues through villages where a meal can be had before wild camping.
C2C: day 10, Mosedale Beck to Grisedale Tarn
It’s one of the best days on the walk with clear skies across the Dodds and no wind on Striding Edge.
C2C: day 11, Grisedale Tarn to Haweswater
Rugged and beautiful all the way to Haweswater where the midges kept me in tightly sealed in my tent.
C2C: day 12, Haweswater to Orton
The way is easier as it rolls into farmland and tiny villages appear.
C2C: day 13, Orton to Ravenseat Farm
A wrong turn causes a detour to the lovely farm at Ravenseat where children greet me with smiles.
C2C: day 14, Ravenseat to Reeth
It’s a shortcut over the moor, easy now in dry weather, until a storm builds and I lose my bearings.
C2C: day 15, Reeth to St. Giles Farm
Farmland continues as well as unusual stile to climb over rock walls holding flocks of sheep.
C2C: day 16, St. Giles Farm to Ingleby Arncliffe
The trail is absolutely flat, broken up only by charming churches and friendly horses.
C2C: day 17, Ingelby Arncliffe to Blakey Ridge
The trail is so eroded in Yorkshire that stones have been placed to save it like a garden path.
C2C: day 18, Blakey Ridge to Grosmont
In Grosmonth, the Hogwarts Express arrives to much delight and picture taking.
C2C: day 19, Grosmont to Robin Hood’s Bay
The wind picks up to gale force and the skies look black, but it’s easy walking if you can stay upright.
C2C: day 20, epilogue
The Coast to Coast is a lovely path, made better with more time in the Lake District.
Creatures of the C2C
The sounds of the Northern English countryside are new to my ears.
more deets on aliloop-of-the-lakes, Northern England
This is my track adding six days to the Coast to Coast. Hit me up for the GPX.
