140 miles in length the C2C, Coast to Coast, cycle route begins in West Cumbria in either Whitehaven or Workingham and finishes at the North East coast in either Newcastle or Sunderland. Hostels and bunkhouses are a popular choice of accommodation among participating cyclists since they offer groups sized rooms and a sociable atmosphere where guests can mingle and chat about the day’s events.
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C2C Cycle Route: Whitehaven/Wokingham to Tyne Mouth/Sunderland
140 miles in length the C2C, Coast to Coast, cycle route begins in West Cumbria in either Whitehaven or Workingham and finishes at the North East coast in either Newcastle or Sunderland. Hostels and bunkhouses are a popular choice of accommodation among participating cyclists since they offer groups sized rooms and a sociable atmosphere where guests can mingle and chat about the days events.
By tradition, the route is commenced by dipping the back wheel into the Irish Sea in Cumbria followed by dipping the front wheel in the shores of the North Sea. The route takes under a week, on average to complete, and due to the kinder gradients and prevailing winds, is usually completed from West to East.
Route of the Coast to Coast
The route passes through the English Lake District, the Eden Valley and the Pennines, uncovering some of Britain’s most magnificent scenery and jaw dropping landscapes while revealing unspoilt villages and hamlets along the way. Hostels and bunkhouses offer a friendly and convenient place to stay for cyclists at half the price of a B&B or a hotel. You will likely meet and exchange stories with other cyclists and maybe even share a few useful tips when planning your next leg of the route.
The main routes are the Sea to Sea route from Whitehaven, Egremount or Workington in the Lake District to Tynemouth or Sunderland on the Durham coast, and the Mountain Bike Coast to Coast which take a similar route over more adventurous terrain. This article shows the locations of youth hostels, independent hostels and bunkhouses along both routes and suggests an itinerary for completing the ride using independent hostels for your accommodation. The maps in the article only shows hostels and bunkhouses which are easily reached from the routes. Details of all the hostels and bunkhouses in the North of England are available on our Lake District, Yorkshire, North Pennines and Northumberland and Tyneside maps.
Sea to Sea ( C2C ) Coast to Coast Cycle route.
The Sea to Sea ( C2C ) coast to coast bike route, which starts in Whitehaven, Egremont or Workington in Cumbria, covers 136 miles over the Pennines finishing in Sunderland or Tynemouth on the North Sea Coast. This coast to coast cycle ride, developed by Sustrans and it’s partners, has been open since 1994 and is one of England’s most popular cycle challenges. The route utilizes National Cycle Network Routes 71, 7 and 14 which travel along unused railway line, purpose built cycle paths, unmade roads and quiet lanes.
For details of Wainwrights Coasts to Coast Walk look here.
Location of accommodation on the Sea to Sea C2C coast to coast cycle ride (West to East).
SUMMERGROVE HALLS is close to Whitehaven, one of the starting points of the C2C cycle route. Summergrove Halls provides self catering accommodation in private rooms with inside and outside cycle storage.
SWALLOW BARN camping barn is right on the Sea to Sea cycle route around 20 miles from the start at Whiteheaven. Swallow Barn lies in the picturesque Loweswater Valley and couldn’t be more convenient being right on the door step of the Coast to Coast cycle route. The camping barn is situated on a working beef and sheep farm and dates back 1670.
DERWENTWATER INDEPENDENT HOSTEL on the route, 2 miles south of Keswick.
DENTON HOUSE on the route in Keswick
HAWSE END CENTRE Accessible via launch from Keswick on the C2C cycle route
THE WHITE HORSE INN bunkhouse is on the route at Scales, 6 miles beyond Keswick.
BLAKEBECK FARM camping barn is on the route at Mungrisedale 8 miles beyond Keswick on the C2C route.
WAYFARERS INDEPENDENT HOSTEL On the route in Penrith. The Coast to Coast cycle route passes 100m from the doorstep, secure indoor bike storage, a drying room, and cleaning and maintenance facilities make this an ideal place to stay after a hard day’s ride.
GREENGILL BARN is 6 miles south of the traditional C2C Sea to Sea cycle route and is included on the Wiggo’s Loop extension of the C2C.
NEW ING LODGE 9 miles from the route at Shap.
HAGGS BANK bunkhouse and camping on the route in the North Pennines
ALSTON Youth Hostel is on the route at Alston
MILL COTTAGE bunkhouse is on the route at Nenthead.
NINEBANKS Youth Hostel is approximately 7 miles from the route in the North Pennines
BARRINGTON Bunkhouse is on the route at Rookhope. Nestled within the north Pennines and close to attractions such as the Beamish open air museum and Killhope mining museum, Barrington Bunkhouse offers cyclists comfortable accommodation in an area of outstanding beauty. The bunkhouse is popular with cyclists riding the Coast to Coast route and walkers on the Weardale way.
EDMUNDBYERS Youth Hostel is on the route at Edmundbyers
ALLENDALE Bunkhouse approx 10 miles from the ride in the North Pennines
HOUGHTON NORTH FARM. North West of the C2C as it approaches Tyneside.
ALBATROSS Close to the end of the Sea to Sea C2C route in Newcastle. After dipping your front wheel into the North Sea to mark the end of the 140 mile Coast to Coast cycle ride, why not spend your final night(s) in this centrally located backpackers hostel. The vibrant hostel is located on Grey Street, one of Newcastle’s most prestigious and architecturally pleasing streets.
Suggest itinerary for cycling the Sea to Sea C2C coast to coast route in 5 days (West to East)
Starting on the West Coast this challenging route begins in the North Lake District passing Bassenthwaite Lake if you travel the northern route or Loweswater on the southern route. It is possible to get to Workington by train (Use National Rail Enquiries Plus Bike service to book your trains). SUMMERGROVE HALLS, 3 miles from Whitehaven, provides an overnight base at the start of the route. Corkickle Station, one stop beyond Whitehaven on the Carlisle to St Bees Line, is 2 miles from the accommodation. SWALLOW BARN CAMPING BARN is right on the C2C route in Loweswater around 20 miles from the start in Whitehaven.
Day One Keswick is a great first night stop off after around 30 miles. Two mile south of Keswick on the C2C route is DERWENTWATER INDEPENDENT HOSTEL a perfect overnight choice. The HAWSE END CENTRE is accessible from the C2C route in Keswick via a regular Lake Launch and DENTON HOUSE on the C2C route in Keswick itself. Six miles beyond Keswick on the C2C route is the THE WHITE HORSE INN BUNKHOUSE. A couple of miles further along the route is BLAKEBECK FARM CAMPING BARN on an idyllic lakeland farm with stunning views over Blencathra and full bedding and breakfast provided for cyclists.
Day Two Sea To Sea Day two takes you the 20 miles to Penrith where WAYFARERS INDEPENDENT HOSTEL is set up to welcome C2C cyclists, with secure bike storage and bike repair facilities. If you are cycling with a group GREENGILL BARN is only 6 miles away and is on the Wiggo’s Loop of the C2C. The award winning NEW ING LODGE is 9 miles of the coast to coast cycle route at Shap.
Day Three is 22 stunning miles through to the “Roof of England” up into the North Pennines AONB. After this hard day of cycling the wonderfully isolated HAGGS BANK BUNKHOUSE & CAMPING, right on the C2C route, will provide a comfortable bunk and safe cycle storage, whilst ALSTON YOUTH HOSTEL on the C2C route at Alston has private rooms and MILL COTTAGE BUNKHOUSE on the route at Nenthead sleeps up to six in its cosy bunk room as is a short walk from the Miners Arms for evening meals. If you fancy going little further from the C2C route try NINEBANKS Youth Hostel (approx 7 miles) or ALLENDALE BUNKHOUSE (approx 10 miles).
Day four starts out with an ascent to the NCN’s highest point of Black Hill on the Cumbrian / Northumberland border. From then on the route begins to descend to Rookhope (22 miles) where BARRINGTON BUNKHOUSE provides a continental breakfast and meals are available in the nearby Rookhope Inn. EDMUNDBYERS YOUTH HOSTEL AT LOW HOUSE HAVEN is five miles further along the coast to coast cycle ride on the C2C route and has private rooms or camping.
Day Five The last day of the Sea to Sea route is the mostly off road former railway track route to Sunderland or via Newcastle to Tynemouth. (43 miles). Accommodation is available in Newcastle at ALBATROSS Backpackers or you can venture Northwest of the city to HOUGHTON NORTH FARM ACCOMMODATION.
