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.