Alternative Coast to Coast
A 200-mile long distance path which begins on an island in the Irish Sea and ends on an island in the North Sea. In between lies the rugged landscapes of the Lake District, North Pennines, and Northumberland. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SD 17601 68225
Distance: 200 miles (320 km)
Time: 90–110 hours
Duration: 12–16 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL5 The English Lakes — North Eastern Area
OL6 The English Lakes — South Western Area
OL7 The English Lakes — South Eastern Area
OL16 Cheviot Hills
OL31 North Pennines — Teesdale and Weardale
OL42 Kielder Water and Forest
OL43 Hadrian’s Wall, Haltwhistle and Hexham
340 Holy Island and Bamburgh
Summary
The Alternative Coast to Coast begins on an island in the Irish Sea and finishes on an island in the North Sea. Beginning on Walney Island near Barrow-in-Furness, the walk leads into the Lake District, and on its route some Lakeland peaks are climbed, a few delightful Lakeland villages are visited, and some tarns and lakes are seen. Indeed, the full length of Ullswater is walked along the way just before the Lake District is exited. Next, between the towns of Penrith and Hexham, the route crosses the North Pennines before Hadrian's Wall is visited, and then crosses Northumberland with the Cheviot Hills featuring. The Alternative Coast to Coast finishes by crossing the North Sea by the famous pilgrim's tidal path to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne on the east coast. (Note: check tide times for the island crossings, or you will have to wait a while to start and/or finish the route.)