Coast to Coast Part 2 Self Guided Walking Holiday

Holiday Information

Tour Availability
This walking holiday is available from April to October.

Holidays include

• Selected accommodation with en-suite rooms (as available) and full English breakfast.

• Luggage transfer between overnight accommodation.

• Backup accommodation to accommodation transfer (see support vehicle note below).

• Route information and itinerary.

• Detailed instructions to find your accommodation.

• Guidebook and Harvey map for the group Leader.

• Emergency contact.

Grade of walking

This is a moderate to challenging route.

Start of route
Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

End of route
Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire.

Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in selected comfortable B&B’s, Guest Houses, Hotels and Inns. Nearly all double and twin bedrooms are en-suite. Single room accommodation is in a mix of shared facility, en-Suite and private facility rooms.

Meals
A full English breakfast is included. Packed lunches can be purchased from your overnight accommodation or from local convenience stores. Evening meals can be purchased in pubs and overnight accommodation when a pub is not available.

Luggage transfer
For the duration of the walk your luggage is transferred between overnight accommodation so all you need to carry is a day rucksack and its contents.

Support vehicle
We hope that everyone who walks the Coast to Coast route will complete their challenge, however illness and injury sometimes occur. For this reason you are supported by a daily transport service, which can drive you from accommodation to accommodation if needed.

Guide Books and Maps
A guidebook and Harvey map are included.

Travel

By train
Train timetables can be viewed and tickets purchased online at www.thetrainline.com
Reduced price ‘Advanced tickets’ can be purchased from approx 12 weeks prior to departure. Prices can vary greatly and the cheaper tickets sometimes only become available approx 6 weeks prior to travel.
To St Bees
The train station in St Bees is a short walk from your accommodation.
Approximate journey times – From Manchester Airport 4 hours. From London 5 hours.
To/From Kirkby Stephen (for coast to coast part 1 and 2 walkers)
The train station in Kirkby Stephen is a short taxi journey (1.5 miles) from your accommodation.
Approximate journey times - Manchester Airport 3.5 hours. London 4.5 hours
From Robin Hoods Bay
Scarborough train station is a 40 minute bus or taxi journey from Robin Hoods Bay.
Approximate journey times – To Manchester Airport 3 hours. To London 3 hours.

By Car
If parking and transfers are required please request at the time of booking.
Options available -
Parking in St Bees
Off road parking in St Bees. Price £3.00 per day.
Transfer from Robin Hoods Bay to St Bees - price £90 per person (this transfer is over two days and therefore the price includes a night’s accommodation in Kirkby Stephen).
Alternatively taxi from Robin Hoods Bay to St Bees - price £160.
Parking in Kirkby Stephen
Secure parking in Kirkby Stephen. Price £3.10 per day.
Transfer from Kirkby Stephen to St Bees - price £26 per person (depart 08:30 – arrive 10:15).
Transfer from Robin Hoods Bay to Kirkby Stephen - price £26 per person (depart 16:00 – arrive 18:15).

By Air
The most convenient major International airport with rail links is Manchester Airport.

Equipment List

Please remember to
1. Keep the weight of your day pack and walking/hiking equipment to a comfortable weight for you to carry

2. Keep your suitcase/luggage under the maximum transfer weight (Maximum: 20kg (44lbs)).

The following checklist is an aid to help you with your packing
Required
Walking/Hiking boots (worn in before your holiday)
Technical walking socks e.g. liner and thick outer socks
Trekking trousers (not jeans/denim)
Waterproof over trousers
Baselayer T-shirts and/or casual shirts
Fleece or warm jumper
Waterproof jacket
Spare warm layer (to carry in your rucksack)
Warm gloves
Warm hat
Sunhat
Rucksack (25 to 35 litres) and waterproof cover
Rucksack liner e.g. large plastic bag
Water bottles 1 litre (x2)
Basic First Aid Kit and personal medication
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Torch / flashlight
Whistle

Optional
Spare Laces
Gaiters
Shorts
Thermos flask for hot drinks
Antibacterial hand wash/wipes
Camera, film, batteries
Trekking poles
Sunglasses

Dossier

The Coast to Coast Part 2 walk is a 110 mile route crossing the North of England. The route was devised by renowned fell walker and writer Alfred Wainwright and has become one of the most inspiring long distance walks in the world. The following is intended to provide further information about the route and points of interest. Please note that all distances and heights in this document are approximate and along with all the other information are provided as an aid to describe the route. Several guide books providing more detailed route descriptions and information are available.

Start of route Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

End of route Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire

Note it is possible to start or finish a self guided holiday in any village on the route if you would like to follow an alternative itinerary to those listed on our website.

Direction of walk West to East

Grade This is a moderate to challenging route with some steep gradients and long days.

Terrain
The terrain varies from rocky paths (especially in the National Parks), to farmland and country lanes. The National Parks provide the added challenges of some steep ascents and descents (perfect if you like walking in the mountains and hills).

Waymarking
Despite its popularity the route is not a National Trail. Waymarking is very scarce and therefore map reading and compass skills are essential.



Guide books and maps
A Trailblazer guidebook and Harvey maps are included. Additional guide books and maps are available for the route, please see our online shop. The Ordnance Survey Explorer maps covering the route and surrounding countryside are OL19, OL30, 304, OL26, OL27.

Luggage transfer
For the duration of the holiday your luggage is transferred from accommodation to accommodation by a luggage transfer agent. Luggage allowance is 1 bag/person weighing not more than 20kg (44lbs).

Support vehicle
We hope that everyone who walks the Coast to Coast route will complete their challenge, however illness and injury sometimes occur. For this reason you are supported by a daily transport service, which can drive you from accommodation to accommodation if needed.

Accommodation description
Accommodation is booked in comfortable B&Bs, Guest Houses, small Hotels and Inns. Types and standards of accommodation vary from village to village, and room sizes and facilities vary within accommodation. Many properties are hundreds of years old, and although many rooms have been converted to ensuite it has not been possible to do so in some properties or rooms due to space limitations or buildings having listed status (i.e. a property preservation order). As an indication if you require double or twin occupancy you can expect to share a bathroom (i.e. have a non ensuite room) for one to three nights of a full tour. For single occupancy rooms we aim to book at least 50% of the nights ensuite.

Meals
A full English breakfast is included in the cost of your holiday and is served at your accommodation. Packed lunches (average cost £5) are available to buy from your accommodation or local shop, and evening meals (average cost £12) are generally available from local pubs or your accommodation.

Weather
The weather in Northern England is changeable. You should be prepared for all possibilities as weather, particularly in the mountains, can change quickly. Weather statistics are available from the Met Office at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/

Clothing
Good outdoor clothing and waterproofs are essential.

Footwear
Comfortable walking boots which provide good grip on multiple terrain and ankle support are recommended.

Equipment
A suggested equipment list will be sent to you.

Mountain Rescue
Advice from the Mountain Rescue Organisation is available at http://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/advice.php

Laundrette
There is a laundrette in Kirkby Stephen.

Travel
For information on travelling to and from the route please click here

Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen is a small market town in the eden valley with a few pubs, cafes and shops.

Kirkby Stephen (180M) to Keld (350M). Distance 13 miles
Cross Franks Bridge and head for the lane which becomes a broad path onto the Pennine Moors and the summit of Nine Standards Rigg (662M). Depending on the time of year there are three routes over and around Nine Standards; green (avoiding the summit) for winter and spring, red for early summer, and blue for late summer and autumn. All routes cross peat, which is notoriously boggy in wet weather, before descending to the River Swale and the road in to Keld. If the weather is poor a road over the moor leads from Kirkby Stephen to Keld.

Keld (350M) to Reeth (200M). Distance 11 miles
From Keld you have a choice of routes. The main route stays high and crosses moorland that is scarred from a lead mining industry that disappeared at the end of the 19th century. From Keld the route descends to the river then climbs past Crackpot Hall and the ruins of Swinner Gill mine workings. It crosses the moor (580M) before dropping into Gunnerside Gill (400M) and then up onto Melbecks Moor (550M). From here a broad track descends gradually passing the ruins of Old Gang Smelting Mills to Surrender Bridge (350M) and another smelt mill. The last test of the day is to drop into Cringley Bottom, cross the river and then continue over the farmland to Reeth. The alternative route, which is very appealing if staying in Thwaite or Muker, is to follow the ‘royal road’ through Swaledale valley. The route passes through Gunnerside and a few small pleasant Yorkshire Dales villages.

Reeth (200M) to Richmond (150M). Distance 11 miles
This is a much easier day’s walk across rolling countryside passing Marrick Priory, Marske village and Whitecliffe wood to the largest town on route, Richmond.

Richmond (150M) to Danby Wiske (36M). Distance 13 miles
The route to Danby Wiske is almost level and generally easy going, it crosses farmlands to Bolton on Swale and then follows 7 miles of country lanes across the low lying Vale of Mowbray.

Danby Wiske (36M) to Ingleby Cross (80M). Distance 9 miles
The path remains easy going initially following the country lanes before returning to farm land. Take care crossing the busy A19 road.

Ingleby Cross (80M) to Clay Bank Top (250M) near Great Broughton. Distance 13 miles
This is the start of the crossing over the Cleveland Hills and the North York Moors, which are covered in purple heather during late summer months. The route follows the Cleveland Way trail and climbs steadily over Beacon Hill (299M) then descends into Scugdale (100M). Not keen to stay low the sometimes paved path climbs steadily at first then steeply onto Gold Hill (315M). It continues onto Carlton Moor (408M) before descending to Green Bank (300M). Once again it climbs going over Cringle Moor (430M), descends to 280M back up to 400M, down again to 300M and then a final climb through the Wainstones onto Hasty Bank (398M) before descending to the road at Clay Bank Top (250M). If all the up and down seems like too much hard work there is a path that contours round the hills from Green Bank to Clay Bank

Clay Bank Top (250M) to Blakey Ridge (400M). Distance 9 miles
There is a steep ascent to Carr Ridge (390M) followed by a gradual rise to the summit of Round Hill (454M), the highest point on the North York Moors. The path descends to Bloworth Crossing (400M) were it leaves the Cleveland Way and continues on an almost level disused railway line across the desolate moors to the remote Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge.

Blakey Ridge (400M) to Glaisdale (120M). Distance 10 miles
After a few miles alongside the road the route follows a track across the heather clad moors. Another road walk and then the route continues along a broad disused track gradually descending Glaisdale Moor into Glaisdale village.

Glaisdale (120M) to Grosmont (50M). Distance 4 miles
Never far from the River Esk the route passes through East Arnecliffe Wood to Egton Bridge where it follows a once toll road through the private estate of Egton Manor to Grosmont.

Grosmont (50M) to Littlebeck (50M). Distance 4 miles
The road climbs steeply out of Grosmont (its not called the 1 in 3 for nothing) to its high point on Sleights Moor (285M), there are wonderful views to Whitby and the sea. Still on heather moorland the route descends into Littlebeck (50M).

Littlebeck (50M) to Robin Hoods Bay. Distance 11 miles
The route follows a woodland trail. After the woodland the path rises and crosses a final stretch of heather moorland before following country lanes to the coast. This time the path turns south to follow a coastal path to Robin Hoods Bay and a final last descent to the sea. Follow tradition once more by dipping your boot in the sea and throwing your pebble in (that should baffle the geologists in years to come). Your challenge is complete.

Robin Hoods Bay
Robin Hoods Bay is a picturesque once fishing village and reputed smugglers haunt. Being built on the hillside the street from top to bottom of the village is the final steep descent/ascent on route.