Personal Blog of Mark Lockitt
Coast to Coast
22nd September-3rd October 2009
I completed the Coast to Coast on Saturday the 3rd October, in total taking me twelve days to complete this amazing trek of 190 miles. Starting on the west coast of the UK at St. Bee’s with the Irish Sea and finishing on the east coast at Robin Hood’s Bay with the North Sea. Boots were dipped into the Irish Sea and pebble collected from the beach, to finally throw said pebble into the North Sea on the ramp at Robin Hood’s Bay and foot splashed into the North Sea, while attempting not to fall in and get washed out to sea and refraining the urge to throw my boots in.
Day 1. St. Bee’s to Ennerdale Bridge
Distance: 14 miles. I stayed at Shepherds Arms Hotel – www.shepherdsarmshotel.co.uk
Day 2. Ennerdale Bridge to Borrowdale
Distance: 14.5 miles. I stayed at the Youth Hostel – www.yha.org.uk
I walked the optional route of going up to Red Pike, word of advice, head across the Hay Stacks to re-join the coast to coast on top and don’t go back down to the Black Sail Youth Hostel, as you’ll only to have to re-climb back up loft beck, with my full pack, my poor knee’s were shot after that day, oops!
Day 3. Borrowdale to Patterdale
Distance: 18 miles. I stayed at the Youth Hostel – www.yha.org.uk
I stayed up top to do the high route to Helm Crag, I would advise ending your stop in Grasmere. So next day you can visit either Helvellyn or St Sunday Crag if the weather is clear, otherwise you can take the normal route to Patterdale.
Day 4. Patterdale to Shap
Distance: 16 miles. I stayed at Kings Arms Hotel – www.kingsarmsatshap.co.uk
Day 5. Shap to Kirkby Stephen
Distance: 20 miles. I stayed at Kings Arms Hotel – www.kingsarmskirkbystephen.co.uk
Day 6. Kirkby Stephen to Keld
Distance: 13 miles. I stayed at Keld Lodge – www.keldlodge.com
Day 7. Keld to Reeth
Distance: 11 miles. I stayed at Cambridge House – www.cambridgehousereeth.co.uk
Day 8. Reeth to Richmond
Distance: 11 miles. I stayed at Willance House – www.willancehouse.com
Day 9. Richmond to Ingleby Cross
Distance: 23 miles. I stayed at a guest house (I forget the name)
Save some energy to run across the motorway at the end near Ingleby Cross, always fun!
Day 10. Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top
Distance: 12 miles. I stayed at Maltkiln House – www.maltkiln.co.uk
Day 11. Clay Bank Top to Glaisdale
Distance: 19 miles. I stayed at High Hall Farm
Day 12. Glaisdale to Robin Hood’s Bay
Distance: 19 miles. I stayed at a Hotel (forget the name) and finished, phew!
