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DATES FOR 2008:
(6 days walking, 7 nights) |
For our Coast to Coast walk we strongly recommend arriving a
day early, allowing time to unwind from the journey and enjoy
the delights of St. bees and the surrounding area. Many of the
houses in St.Bees date from the 17th and 18th century and the
magnificent sandstone St. Bees Priory, which dates from the 12th
century, is well worth a visit.
Day One
Meet at 2.00pm. As St. Bees is on the Irish Sea, your introductory
walk offers outstanding coastal views around the beautiful St.
Bees headland, one of the largest cliff seabird colonies on the
west coast of England. Afterwards there will be a welcome reception
to discuss the week ahead before dinner.
| 5 miles, 300 feet of ascent, 3 hours |
Overnight St. Bees
Day Two
After a short drive to Ennerdale we walk up this remote and tranquil
valley alongside Ennerdale Water, through pine forests and up
into the magnificent mountain scenery of the Lake District National
Park. We descend via old slate quarry workings, evoking the industrial
past, to Borrowdale, "the most beautiful valley in England."
| 10 miles, 1700 feet of ascent, 7 hours |
Overnight Borrowdale valley
Day Three
A scenic drive through the very heart of the Lake District takes
us to Thomas Gray's "unsuspected paradise" - the valley
of Grasmere. There will be time to explore this delightful village,
with its many Wordsworth connections, and visit Dove Cottage,
the poet's home, before we depart for our walk to Patterdale via
the mountain pass of Grizedale Hause. This well trodden path provides
a corridor through some spectacular mountain scenery to the valley
of Ullswater where we stop for the night. Enjoy a special evening
with a chance to meet with local people.
| 7 miles, 1600 feet of ascent, 5-6 hours |
Overnight Ullswater Valley
Day Four
This morning we drive along the shores of Ullswater, leaving
the Lake District as we head for the Yorkshire Dales National
Park and beautiful Swaledale with its unique landscape and field
barns. Here a high level moorland walk, on good tracks, takes
us by the remnants of a once flourishing Lead Mining industry,
before descending to the delightful village of Reeth - often referred
to as "the capital of Swaledale." A visit to an organic
working farm, with time for a tour and tea, rounds off the day.
| 9.5 miles, 800 feet of ascent, 5 hours |
Overnight Reeth
Day Five
Our walk continues from Reeth along the River Swale where the
valley widens on its majestic journey eastwards. We pass the ruins
of Marrick Priory en route to the village of Marske and continue
above the River Swale, through magnificent limestone scenery and
woods, to the historic market town of Richmond, dominated by its
medieval castle.
| 11 miles, 500 feet of ascent, 6-7 hours |
Overnight Richmond
Day Six
We drive from Richmond to the North Yorkshire Moors National
Park. We begin with a visit to Mount Grace Priory and experience
the evocative ruins of a 14th century Carthusian monastery set
among woodland on the edge of the North York Moors. Afterwards
we start walking in the lovely rolling Cleveland Hills, enjoying
extensive views over the surrounding countryside as we walk across
the moorland footpaths. A short drive takes us to the small village
of Ellerby, our home for the last two nights.
| 11 miles, 2000 feet of ascent, 7-8 hours |
Overnight Ellerby
Day Seven
We return this morning to the heather clad moors for a delightful
walk and outstanding views and then gradually descend into Esk
Dale, via an ancient packhorse bridge and woodland, following
the River Esk to lunch at an old coaching inn. Drive to Hawsker
for the final part of this memorable journey. A magnificent walk
takes us along the cliffs and down past quaint cottages to the
sea at Robin Hood's Bay. Time to celebrate an achievement - you
will have walked or travelled through three National Parks and
covered just over a third of the 190 mile route on foot.
12 miles, 7 hours
Overnight Ellerby
Day Eight
Depart after a leisurely breakfast.
Walk highlights:
Walking through the magnificent scenery of three National
Parks
Visiting Dove Cottage - the home of William Wordsworth
An evening with the locals in the Lake District
Visiting a working organic farm
Price : (2008)
$US 3,995 per person shared; $US 325 single supplement.
Included:
7 nights bed and breakfast; 5 dinners; 6 picnic or pub lunches;
all entrance fees in the itinerary; Professional Blue Badge Tourist
Guide; back-up transport during walk; luggage transfers.
Meeting point:
St. Bees - transfers offered from/to Manchester airport or
Penrith railway station.
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