Gord's Coast to Coast Walk, June 1997

Where is it?

The walk is in England. It extends from St.Bee's in county Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire. Cumbria is on the west coast, by the Irish Sea, across from Northern Ireland. Yorkshire is directly across England from Cumbria on the North Sea. These counties make up the waist of England. The walk consists of a series of interlinking trails through parks, villages, towns, countryside and private lands. Most of the trails are marked with free-standing signs or small symbols tacked to trees, fences or buildings. Accomodation is usually in Bed & Breakfasts in the villages and towns. Food is purchased from the B&Bs or from the many pubs encountered along the way.

Who created it?

Alfred Wainwright put the idea of a coast to coast walk together almost single handedly in the seventies. He was an avid walker who spent most of his free time in the hills of Cumbria. He personally put together the potential routes and got all the necessary permissions along the way. He wrote a book describing the route in detail and his passion for the land inspires most who read it.

"One should always have a definite objective in a walk as in life -- it is so much more satisfying to reach a target by personal effort than to wander aimlessly. An objective is an ambition, and life without ambition is .... well, aimless wandering." to quote Wainwright in his book.

Who takes it?

From North America, people take the walk because they've met people who've already done it and are inspired by their stories. Most of these people are avid hikers and want a new adventure in a faraway place. Europeans are more exposed to hiking as their land is criss-crossed with famous trails. The Coast to Coast Walk for them is one of the more rugged long distance walks they can do. This walk is attractive because it is a test of ones fitness and resolve to complete it.

Why take it?

To use a cliché, it could be your "Adventure of a Lifetime". The preparation, training and challenges getting there are a test in themselves. The Wainwright book speaks eloquently of Englands history, nature, friendly people and beautiful landscapes. Walking 10 to 20 miles a day for 14 days is a challenge all good hikers need to face eventually.

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