Coast to Coast Cycle | Cycle Route in the North of England

The Coast to Coast route is the classic cycle route in the north of England, on a par with (but not along!) Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast walk. The cycle route runs from the Irish Sea at Whitehaven to the North Sea at Sunderland. It’s a deservedly popular route and a classic challenge, covering 225km (140 miles) in three days. Altogether, it makes for a truly memorable trip

Quick Facts

An unparalleled opportunity to experience the great variety of the north of England: the old port of Whitehaven, the Coal country of West Cumbria; the heart of the Lake District; the Eden Valley; the wild moors and lead mines of the North Pennines and Weardale, old Durham railway routes, and the renascent industrial and commercial zone of Tyneside. It’s also a terrific personal challenge that involves three hard days of cycling to get you across the country.

About & Details

This route is part of the National Cycle Network, administered by Sustrans. It is designated route Nos. 71 and 7, and is signposted throughout. About half of the route is traffic-free, while half is along small country roads. A small amount is on main roads. It is possible to do the whole trip on roads, but incorporating the off-road sections is recommended, and the following description includes them. The 3-day itinerary makes for a fun-packed trip, which is quite doable for the average cyclist. The most severe section is an off-road ascent up a steep track to Hartside summit between Penrith and Alston. The overnights are in Whitehaven, Greystoke, and Allenheads.

Inclusions

Qualified and experienced cycle leader(s)
Three nights’ accommodation twin room hotel with breakfast or B&B
Baggage and equipment transfers (This is limited to 1 bag per person, however extra bags can be transferred at a small supplement)
Professional Event Organisation
Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders
Public and Product liability insurance is included. Participants must have their own accident and travel insurance
Financial Protection: in the unlikely event of insolvency, all our trips are protected in accordance with the 1992 Package Travel Regulations.

Exclusions

Bike hire; but this can be accommodated on request.
Personal accident and travel insurance.
Lunch and dinner on the trip

Please note: all participants should have insurance for travel and equipment to be covered during your ride and in transit

Optional Extras

Single Room Supplement £75 per person per night (subject to availability)
Extra night in Whitehaven prior to start (twin room, needs 2 people) £90 per person
Extra night in Whitehaven prior to start (single room) £145 per person
Extra night in Sunderland at end of event (twin room, needs 2 people) £90 per person
Extra night in Sunderland at end of event (single room) £145 per person

Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.

Departures

We normally run this trip over a weekend, Friday to Sunday, however if you would like to do this at any other time, including midweek, then please contact us.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Whitehaven to Greystoke

You start from the picturesque ancient port of Whitehaven, and then continue along small roads to Clator Moor, in the heart of West Cumberland coal country. From there, in a short distance you’ll enter the Lake District National Park and pass by two of the most attractive, peaceful, and least known of its lakes: Ennerdale and Loweswater. You’ll continue over Whinlatter pass at over 300m to Braithwaite and Keswick. The wonderful setting includes views of Skiddaw, Derwentwater, and Borrowdale. A short way after Keswick comes the magnificently-sited Castlerigg stone circle and the village of Threlkeld, in the shadow of Blencathra, and with views of the Helvellyn range.

Some sections here are on the historic Penrith, Keswick, and Cockermouth Railway, which was an engineering feat from the 1860s and makes for fairly smooth running. There’s a succession of villages with wonderful local names like Troutbeck, Mungrisdale, Penruddock, Blencow, and Greystoke. You’ll stop at this last one for the night.

Distance – 38 miles (61km) Climb – 3,250 feet (990m)
Day 2 - Greystoke to Allenheads

A demanding day of cycling through Penrith and the marvellous Eden Valley.

In the morning, you’ll pass round Penrith and go through undulating terrain in to the glorious Eden Valley. Bliss does not last long: very soon you’ll be tackling the fabled Hartside summit, which takes you to the very roof of England at around 575m. This hill takes you from verdant green fields on to the Pennine moors, right up to a well signposted viewpoint at the top. This is the watershed, which means that the water takes a downhill course from here – but man is less intelligent, and there are a few other summits to go. What follows is a descent to Alston, one of England’s highest market towns, set in the South Tyne valley, and the lovely village of Garrigill set in its own valley next door. A steep ascent on a track leads to a more pleasant moorland ride to Nenthead. From there you cross over the highest pass on the route at 609m over from the Tyne valley to the Allen with its fascinating lead-mining history. You’ll stay at Allenheads.

Distance – 37 miles (60km) Climb – 4,025 feet (1226m)
Day 3 - Allenheads to Sunderland

The morning starts with the final push over the top and into Weardale, and past some delightful villages including Stanhope, St John’s Chapel. The off-road section involves an ascent over the fell via the side valley of Rookhope and along the Waskerly Way – a particularly enjoyable section of off-road. From there, the going gets much easier, as you follow old Durham colliery railways down into the lands of the North East. The route to Sunderland continues along peaceful roads and is enhanced by some fine artworks, the new Stadium of Light, and the beach at Roker. Dip your wheels in the North Sea, and time to celebrate your achievement!

Distance – 45 miles (72km) Climb – 2925 feet (891m)

Notes:

This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members’ fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason.

The Route

Charity Information

How to take part for Charity

To do this challenge for a charity there is a non-refundable registration fee, payable to Maximum Adventure at the time of booking. You can then choose between the two different options below.

Self-Funding

Pay a registration fee at the time of booking then the balance due 10 weeks before departure. With the self-funding option, you personally cover the full cost of the challenge. This option means that there is no minimum sponsorship target due, but we encourage you to raise as much money as you can for the charity.

Minimum Sponsorship Pledge

Pay a registration fee at the time of booking and confirm with your charity their minimum fundraising requirements for the balance. This will typically be double the cost of the adventure, less the registration fee. With the minimum sponsorship pledge option, you must submit 80% of your fundraising target to the charity 10 weeks before the departure date.

More Information

For more details of how fundraising works please read our step by step guide here or contact us for help.

Maximum Adventure work with lots of charities to offer our events as fundraising opportunities. You can find our Charity Events from the ‘Menu’ in the corner of your screen or from our homepage. If your chosen charity is not listed, please contact us and we will be happy to approach them on your behalf.

Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

We are an established adventure travel business
We have been trading since 2002
We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
Knowledgeable and available office staff
Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
All activities are risk assessed
We will provide you with the best service available
We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years

20+ years adventure organisation experience

Full liability & financial protection

Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges

Great team of staff to support you

Coast to Coast Cycle – Guided (3 Days)

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