Alternative Coast to Coast
This splendid lower level trail offers a more leisurely way to cross the breadth of England than Wainwright's original Coast to Coast, walking through the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
For an alternative harder itinerary with shorter distances each day, please click here.
The Alternative Coast to Coast
Your epic voyage starts from the tip of the Irish Sea at Arnside, crossing both the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, and finishing at the edge of the North Sea in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
West Section
Walking from Arnside to Leyburn in 7 nights, your tour starts from the shores of the Irish Sea and is completed in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
East Section
Walking from Leyburn to Saltburn-by-the-Sea in 7 nights, your tour starts from the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, across the Vale of York and around the North York Moors, completing at the edge of the North Sea.
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Picturesque villages of the
Yorkshire Dales |
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Beautiful limestone valleys |
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Eat out and enjoy fine English food at traditional country
pubs and restaurants |
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Scenic views over varied
countryside |
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Weekend and short breaks available |
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Detailed information
| Detailed itinerary |
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WEST TRAIL - Arnside to Leyburn
Day 1: arrive at your friendly guesthouse at the start of the trail.
Day 2: after a ceremonial boot-dipping in the Irish Sea, follow the trail over Holme Park Fell and continue to the little village of Hutton Roof. (9 miles, 1,300ft of ascent)
Day 3: continue to the village of Ingleton, passing the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale and crossing the River Lune. (10 miles, 950ft of ascent)
Day 4: from Ingleton pass the beautiful waterfalls follow the path to the Victorian viaduct at Ribblehead, via Ireby Fell, the Kinsdale Valley and Twisleton Scar. (8 miles, 1,090ft of ascent)
Day 5: follow the path of an old Roman road between Yorkshire and Lancashire to the bustling town of Hawes, home of Wensleydale cheese. (10 miles, 1,200ft of ascent)
Day 6: admire the splendid scenery as you walk to Askrigg via Semer Water, the second largest lake in Yorkshire, and the Roman town of Bainbridge. (9 miles, 1,300ft of ascent)
Day 7: continue through the beautiful Wensleydale countryside passing Castle Bolton to the town of Leyburn. (9 miles, 490ft of ascent)
EAST TRAIL - Leyburn to Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Day 8: from Leyburn pass the hamlets of Harmby and Spennithorne, enjoying your first sights of the Vale of York on the way to Bedale. (11½ miles, 160ft of ascent)
Day 9: enjoy easy walking to Brompton, crossing the River Swale and passing the village of Yafforth. (10½ miles, 100ft of ascent)
Day 10: discover the North York Moors and join the Cleveland Way before descending to the village of Swainby. (10 miles, 1,000ft of ascent)
Day 11: ascend to Cringle Moor for excellent views of the North York Moors before continuing to Great Broughton. (8½ miles, 1,400ft of ascent)
Day 12: admire the splendid views from Captain Cook's Monument and Roseberry Topping before arriving in Hutton Village. (9½ miles, 1,300ft of ascent)
Day 13: complete the last leg to the coastal town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, where you can dip your toes in the North Sea and celebrate your achievement! (9 miles, 600ft of ascent)
Day 14: depart after breakfast.
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| Type
of walking |
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An easier trail than Wainwright's original Coast to Coast, but good navigation skills are helpful. Please click here for a harder itinerary with longer distances each day. |
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| Dates and prices |
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Daily departures from April to October 2008
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Alternative Coast to Coast - Complete (13 nights) £899 |
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Alternative Coast to Coast - West (7 nights) £449 |
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Alternative Coast to Coast - East (7 nights) £469 |
| Single supplement: request quote |
| Extra nights: request quote |
We have designed our holidays to be completely flexible so that you have the
freedom to decide when to go, where to go and for how long. The sooner you book
your holiday however, the easier it will be to match your preferred holiday dates.
If you wish to travel around bank holidays or during the peak summer season we
recommend that you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
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| Travel to and from your holiday |
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This is not included in the price of your holiday.
By road: Arnside is 15mins from the M6, at
Carnforth. Leyburn is 30mins from the A1, near
Bedale.
Parking
It is usually possible to park your car at one of the guesthouses at the start or the end of your trail, and we can check this for you once your booking has been confirmed. We provide you with details of how to make your way to the start of the trail, or to get back to your car at the end of your stay. The cost of this transfer is not included in the price of the holiday, but is usually quite inexpensive when travelling by local public transport. Direct taxi journeys can also be arranged. Parking is at guests' own risk. In places of very limited parking guesthouses and hotels may charge a small parking fee (approximately £3 per night).
By train: to Arnside or Northallerton stations respectively,
then by foot or taxi.
The following websites should help you to plan your journey:
By road: www.theaa.com
By rail: www.thetrainline.com
By coach: www.nationalexpress.com
More detailed travel information is provided in the personal information pack.
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| Your accommodation and meals |
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You stay in small, friendly guesthouses, family-run hotels, farmhouse bed and breakfasts and country inns all offering you the warmth of traditional British hospitality.
We offer en-suite rooms wherever possible, although in more remote regions where accommodation is limited they may not be available. You may stay for one night or spend several nights at one guesthouse and where this is the case we will provide a pick up and drop off service for your day's walk. You will receive a complete list of your accommodation with contact details in your personal information pack.
All accommodation is booked on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing you the freedom to choose where and when you would like to eat your lunch and evening meals. In many cases the guesthouses where you stay offer excellent evening meals or your personal information pack provides details of recommended restaurants and traditional British pubs.
Information about which of the guesthouses provide a packed lunch, and how much this costs is provided in our local information booklet included in your personal information pack. If the guesthouses en route are unable to offer this service we provide information about where you can buy food in local shops nearby. Alternatively, you may like to stop for lunch and sample the local cuisine at traditional pubs and cafes as you choose.
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| Average temperatures |
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| April |
3°C |
11°C |
| May |
6°C |
15°C |
| June |
8°C |
17°C |
| July |
11°C |
19°C |
| Aug |
11°C |
19°C |
| Sept |
9°C |
16°C |
| Oct |
6°C |
13°C |
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| Extend your stay |
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We can add rest days at the end of your trip to extend your holiday by as long
as you wish.
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| Why not try... |
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A guided walking trail along the Alternative Coast to Coast, click here for more information. Why not explore further afield and spend some time at our lovely
Country House accommodation in the North Yorkshire Dales at Sedbergh or in the North York Moors at Whitby.
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