The classic route by Alfred Wainwright was intended in part to encourage others to devise their own routes in connecting the Irish and North Seas. This particular route also links three National Parks taking a high level traverse wherever possible. From the west, the coastal plain is crossed to, and through, the Lake District to Shap, followed by the crossing of the Westmorland limestone plateau to Kirkby Stephen, a climb to the Pennine watershed and then through Keld, Reeth and Richmond to the low level Vale of Mowbray before again achieving height across the North York Moors. To prevent any additional and unnecessary erosion, three seasonal alternatives have been created on the main route where the path enters the Yorkshire Dales National Park from Cumbria (free map leaflet available).
Stages/Mileage's:
Ennerdale Bridge to Borrowdale 14.3 miles
Borrowdale to Patterdale 14 miles
Patterdale to Shap 15 miles
Shap to Kirkby Stephen 19.8 miles
Kirkby Stephen to Keld 11 miles
Keld to Reeth 10.5 miles
Reeth to Richmond 10.3 miles
Richmond to Ingleby Arnecliffe 22.7 miles
Ingleby Arnecliffe to Clay Bank Top 11.5 miles
Clay Bank Top to Glaisdale 17 miles
Glaisdale to Robin Hood's Bay 18 miles
Finish: Robin Hood's Bay, N Yorks. NZ953045
Recommended Guidebooks: A Northern Coast to Coast Walk by Terry Marsh (Cicerone Press) is essential for today's walkers as it only uses public rights of way and is more up-to-date. Coast to Coast Walk by Alfred Wainwright (Michael Joseph) is the bible and is therefore worth taking along for a read, but is best not followed.
Distance: 190 miles
OS maps 89, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 98, 99, 100