Open miles of beach are backed in places by extensive sand dunes, and the National Landscape includes Lindisfarne with its causeway and mudflats flats, as well as the hhe Farne Islands further out from the coast. Ancient black basalt meets the sea in low headlands and rocky coves – a dramatic setting for Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh Castles and shelter for working harbours such as Craster.
Dorset National Landscape has some of the most diverse wildlife in England. Sand lizards, overwintering birds, dolphins and red squirrels can all be spotted. The warm climate is reflected in the existence of some species that are new to the UK.
Take a coastal trip through three geological periods on the Jurassic Coast and explore 8000 years of human history in the many historic monuments. Enjoy the landscape immortalised by Thomas Hardy, Turner and Constable.
Explore the work of the Dorset National Landscape team, who promote outdoor health and well being for humans and enable nature to recover, with a tricky balance of priorities.
Dorset National Landscape is a precious resource that everyone can enjoy. Today, tomorrow and for years to come. Why not plan your enjoyment today?
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Whether you are walking, cycling or riding, the South Downs Way provides great vistas, a well-marked route and plenty of small villages and county towns along the way offering fireside pubs. On the path, you will follow chalk streams, rivers, coastal paths, ancient woods and the famous chalk escapment itself.
Drop down from the downs to explore the wider South Downs National Park. In addition to the stunning chalk downs the park also includes the woodlands, hedgerows and lowland pastures of the western Weald and several beautiful rivers. There are many colourful wildflowers and 30 different species of butterflies. You will also come across vineyards (a testament to the South Downs sunny climate) and lowland heaths that are a sea of pinks and purples every year.
With great transport links from London and the greater rail network, this special part of the country is one of the most popular places to walk.
The guide book provides a full description, from West to East, with hand drawn maps of the route. It also outlines alternative routes. The route traced on the map is 210 miles, but with alternative routes, visiting interesting places and leaving the route to reach overnight accommodation you could walk considerably more.
The Ravenber Way route is long and takes most people around fourteen days to complete. It is wild and remote in places, and not way-marked. Good map reading skills are required and there are many stretches where you may not see another walker for hours. Accommodation is available on route, but limited in places – so always book well in advance.
As well as wild mountains and moorlands the route passes through lovely towns and villages, with many historical places of interest not too far from the route. You may want to stay a couple of nights in one place, or just take a couple of hours off the march, to enjoy where you are.
Each end of the Ravenber Way is connected to the rail network, and Hexham at the centre also has a train station. There is also a mainline train station in Penrith, 5 miles off the route.
Day 1
Coast to Coast on the Ravenber Way begins in Ravenglass on the West coast of Cumbria. Leave Ravenglass beside Walls Castle and head along Eskdale to Eskdale Green. Head into Miterdale Forest, climb Irton Fell and proceed along the ridge to Whin Rigg and Illgill Head. Head downhill to Wasdale Head for the night. The guidebook provides an alternative route from Rabbit How which ends in Great Langdale and misses the Whin Rigg section – head up Eskdale to Boot and to Great Langdale where you can stay at the Great Langdale Bunkhouse – next to the New Dungoen Gyhll pub.
Day 2
Unless you took an alternative route to Great Langdale then you’ll begin day two at Wasdale Head. Leave towards Burnthwaite, follow alongside Lingmell Beck and ascend to Sty Head. Pass Sprinkling Tarn and then Angle Tarn and follow Rossett Gill then the Cumbria Way into Great Langdale where you’ll pass the Great Langdale Bunkhouse. Further along in Elterwater, and a few minutes from the route, is the Elterwater Hostel. Continue on to Skelwith Bridge and Tarn Foot, near Loughrigg Tarn to Ambleside via Ivy Crag and Deer Hows. Walkers wishing to stay at either The Old Café Bunkhouse could bear left at Loughrigg Tarn and follow Loughrigg Terrace, past Rydall Water, to Rydall.
Day 3
Leave Ambleside along Lake Road and head over Wansfell Pike to arrive in Troutbeck. Leave via Ing Lane and along Hagg Gill to ascend High Street – the highest point of the Ravenber Way. Staying high the route passes High Raise, Red Crag and Loadpot Hill before gently descending along the Roman Road into Askham. There are no hostels ont his website for this section.
Day 4
Leave the pretty village of Askham along the Windermere and Ullswater road, passing Askham Hall and Lowther Castle on the way to Hackthorpe, Melkinthorpe and Great Strickland. About halfway through the day the route passes through Morland. Reagill Village Hall is located four miles south of the route and would also provide a break for the night. The route continues through King’s Meaburn, Bolton and Long Marton before arriving in Dufton.
Day 5
There is very little between Dufton and Garrigill apart from hills. Leave Dufton along a track leading to the Pennie Way, then follow the Pennine Way over Green Fell and Knock Fell. Follow Trout Beck to cross the River Tees. Pass Tyne Head and then downhill along River South Tyne to Garrigill and Garrigill Village Hall. The guidebook provides an alternative route, prudent in bad weather, to avoid the summit of Knock Fell.
Day 6
Follow the path to Dodbury and above Garrigill Burn then cross a vast area of disused mines to Nenthead. Haggs Bank Bunkhouse and Camping is a short distance away in Nentsberry and might make a suitable stopover by extending day 5. From Nenthead head towards Dykeheads, cross moorlands to Coalcleugh – Carrshield Camping Barn is less than a mile from the route in Carrshield. Cross Carrshield Moor to Philipson’s Fold and descend to Swinhope Mill. Pass through White Ridge and Burnfoot to The Dodd, then a short stroll in to Allenheads.
Day 7
Today passes the halfway point! Leave Allenheads via The Dodd, follow alongside River East Allen and cross it before Low Huntwell. Cross the moor to Green Hill and follow Broad Way past Pikeley Rigg, Hangman Hill and Watson’s Pike to Kings Law. Head around the plantation then pass Rye Hill, Low Rawgreen, High Staples and Juniper to Diptonmill. Then pick up A Pennie Journey downhill to Hexham. There are no hostels ont his website for this section, but if you stayed in Allendale Town after day 6 then you may have the legs to reach Newborough Bunkhouse which is on the route 9.5km (6 miles) into section 8.
If you are walking the Ravenber Way in two visits then, as Hexham is just past the halfway point and connected by rail to Newcastle and Carlisle, then this is a good break point.
Day 8
Leave Hexham to the North, cross the train line and head alongside the River Tyne. Cross the river at Bridge End and head in to Newborough – and past Newborough Bunkhouse. Pass Newborough Lodge and cross open country to Hardian’s wall – Greencarts Bunkhouses and Camping is just over a mile away. Head west along the wall before, crossing more open country past Slaterfield Fell, Pit Wood and Low Moralee, then descend through Warksburn Wood to Wark.
Day 9
Leave Wark by crossing the former toll bridge over the North Tyne to the village of Birtley, then pass Pittland Hills and Tone Hall to Tone Inn. Cross the Roman road, head through a conifer plantation and turn left to pass Hawick Woods to Ferneyrigg. Head to Nether Pike then cross moorland and pass Wishaw Plantation, Green Wisp, Blaxter Cottages and Ravenscleugh to Elsdon.
Day 10
Today is remote with lots of woodland. Leave Elsdon by Crown Farm and enter Harwood Forest by East Todholes – buried deep in the forest is the remote Chartners Farm Off the Grid. Follow the path through Whitlees, Harry’s Wood, Gunner’s Box and Redpath before picking up St Oswald’s Way to finally leave the forest at Croquet Cairn. Stay on St Oswald’s Way and cross the moors past Spylaw, Whittondean and Whitton to Rothbury.
Day 11
Leave Rothbury via Brewery Lane towards Addycombe, then pass Ship Crag and High Wood to Thropton. Head along the River Coquet to Warton, pass Low Trewhitt Cottages and continue to Sheperton. Cross River Coquet, and then back again by paddling (flood alternatives are suggested in the guidebook). Pass The Peels and Harbottle to Alwinton.
Day 12
Leave Alwinton along Clennell Street, pass many ancient settlements, then Wholehope Knowe, Saughy Hill to Nettlehope Hill. Head through the forest to pass Well Cleugh and Hazely Law to the border ridge where the route meets the Pennine Way. Follow the Pennine Way to Kings Seat, Green Gair, Hanging Stone, Auchope Cairn and Red Cribs before descending to Mounthooly – and the Mounthooly Bunkhouse. Continue past Fleehope, Whitehall and Hethpool then follow College Burn to Westnewton Bridge. The guidebook provides an alternative route to Wooler – for this leave the main route before Auchop Cairn to Cairn Hill, The Cheviot, Scald Hill to Broadstruther. Follow Broadstruthers Burn to Carey Burn then cross moorland to Wooler Common and through the Kenterdale Hill picnic spot to Wooler – and Wooler Youth Hostel. From Wooler head to Westnewton Bridge to pick up the next section of the route.
Day 13
Leave on a track between Westnewton and Westnewton Bridge and cross the disused railway to Lanton Mill. Continue to Crookhouse, around Coldside Hill, through Flodden, around Flodden Hill and on to Crookham Bridge. Continue to Heatherslaw, then cross the River Till to Etal. Follow the river until it meets the River Tweed and then follow the Tweed downstream. Leave the river at Bow Well Farm to Norham.
Day 14
Follow the footpath along the river Tweed and then up to visit Horncliffe. Head back to the riverside footpath and continue to the Berwick Bridge. Head right after the bridge to Quay Walls and then Wellington Terrace and past Coxon’s Tower to Pier Road. Behind Pier Road is a car park and a good spot to dip your toe in the water to complete the Ravenber Way. Eat Sleep Lindisfarrne is 14km (8.7 miles) away, and provides a great base to explore Holy Island.
You can buy the Ravenber Way guide book HERE
By their nature, holidays in hostels and bunkhouses have a low C02 footprint and are the perfect place for a sustainable holiday. This is because:
– The shared aspects of the accommodation mean more people are making use of the same resources, which makes the accommodation perfect for a sustainable holiday. There are shared lounges, kitchens and gardens, and some guests choose to stay in shared dormitory-style sleeping rooms, although private rooms are also available. This reduces the energy that is put into furnishing and heating the whole hostel.
-The self-catering facilities allow you to source your food locally, a great way to celebrate the region you are visiting.
-The outdoorsy nature of independent hostels means the types of activities you will be enjoying while staying at a hostel tend to be low carbon. Rather than days out that produce a lot of waste such as shopping or eating out. At independent hostels, you are encouraged to enjoy environmentally friendly activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling.
If that is not explanation enough you can see the facts and figures in this research.
-A quarter of the hostels and bunkhouses in the Independent Hostels UK network have a green ethos.
-Some hostels provide a Green Discount for people who arrive on foot or by public transport, looking for the perfect sustainable holiday. This is a great way to encourage walkers, cyclists, and the use of public transport. You can find a list of these with their details on our Sustainable Travel page.
-Many of the hostels in our network create their own renewable energy on-site or use 100% renewable energy providers. For example, Houghton North Farm in Northumberland is now heated by a wood pellet biomass boiler and the electricity is supplied by their wind turbine.
-Many hostels have renovated their properties to become more efficient. For example, Elterwater Hostel in the Lake District has installed double glazing and thermal lined curtains to retain heat in their hostel.
-Eco-hostels know the importance of reusing, this is why the hostels in our network often communicate to share a surplus of items such as chairs or beds. Nothing in good condition gets thrown away in an eco-hostel!
-Some hostels provide bike rentals as an eco-friendly transportation method for the duration of your holiday. Like Old Brooder Bunkhouse in Suffolk.
-Hostels provide metal cutlery and ceramic plates in their self-catering kitchens. No need for single-use plastics here!
King Alfred’s Way is a 350km circular off-road cycle route running along chalk downlands and ridges and connecting some of England’s most iconic sites.
Despite being easily accessible from cities in the south of England, you quickly escape from everyday life to immerse yourself in the wide-open views across waves of rolling countryside.
The name of the trail is inspired by Alfred the Great, who ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Using parts of the Ridgeway and South Downs Way, it is ideal for gravel bikes and can be ridden over a few days as a bikepacking trip with some great hostels along the way.
It also connects with the Thames Path and the North Downs Way riders’ route, so you can combine multiple routes into a longer ride.
Created by Cycling UK the King Alfred’s Way is the beginning of a network of long-distance off-road routes being planned across the length and breadth of Great Britain. Find out more about Cycling UK HERE. And you can download their guide to King Alfred’s Way HERE.
You are spoilt for choice with some amazing places to stay along your ride along Hadrian’s Cycleway. There is a great selection of places to rest your head. Not to mention the communal rooms; great places to relax and meet other travellers.
We know the importance of conserving your energy for when it matters most. Some of the hostels and bunkhouses on this map are right on the route with a few others a short ride away. This means no extra pedalling when all you want to do is have a hearty meal and a lie-down!
Our hostels are no strangers to Hadrian’s Wall cyclists, this is why many of them provide evening meals and/or breakfasts, and generally provide bedding (always best to check this). Many have somewhere secure for you to store your bike, once again its is always best to check this.
If you are looking for accommodation on the Wales Coast Path, Hostels and bunkhouses are the perfect choice. There are Independent Hostels along the whole of the Wales Coast Path route from Chepstow all the way round to Llandudno, meaning that the majority of the route can be walked using hostels and bunkhouses as accommodation.
Modern hostels and bunkhouses often provide bed linen so you don’t need to bring a sleeping bag (check each accommodation’s details). With self-catering and catered options (and many hostels and bunkhouses being close to a pub) there are catering options for all budgets. For those cycling parts of the Wales coast path route many hostels provide cycle storage to keep your bike safe whilst you have a great night’s sleep.
After a day’s walking you will find a warm welcome in all of our accommodation on the Wales Coast Path. Details of the route are available on the LDWA website.
The Wales Coast path joins up with Offa’s Dyke to create a circular route right round the edge of Wales, by using Independent hostels along with YHA hostels and B&Bs one can walk the whole length.
Opened in 1970, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path was the first national trail in Wales. It is an exhilarating and inspirational walk as it passes an incredible 58 beaches and 14 harbours! Handily, the entire length of the route is covered by the Pembrokeshire coastal bus service. This is because, a fair proportion of the route crosses areas that are scarcely populated. This regular bus service is very popular with walkers ferrying them to and from their overnight lodgings and means you are never too far from civilisation.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs for 186 miles along the most breath-taking coastline in Britain. Stretching between St Dognaels in the north to Amroth in the South, the route crosses a wonderful variety of coastal landscapes. You will walk along rugged cliff tops, descend to sheltered coves, cross wide open beaches, and meandering estuaries. As well as offering a wonderful variety of breath-taking scenery, the area is rich in bird life and coastal flowers. If you are lucky, you may also spot seals and wild ponies. On average the Pembrokeshire Coast Path takes 10 to 15 days to complete.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path (also known as the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path) is quite a challenging route. It takes on average 10-15 days to walk from end to end. The ascents and descents amount to 35,000ft, which is roughly equivalent to climbing Everest. So, a certain amount of pre-walk training is recommended. The route is very well waymarked, but as always it is a good idea to take a guidebook and map.
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk is generally walked from West to East, starting on the Cumbrian coast at St Bees Head and finishing on the Yorkshire Coast at Robing Hoods Bay. This page gives details of the accommodation in this West to East order. We also have pages on this website showing accommodation along the C2C Cycle Route and C2C Mountain Bike Route.
We would love to hear from anyone who walks this itinerary. Get in touch and tell us your views at [email protected] or use our contact form.
The first day’s walk of 14 miles from St Bees Head is typically completed at Ennerdale Bridge. Following the independent hostel itinerary, you need to walk a further 4 miles along the route to reach the small isolated hamlet of Ennerdale. Which makes the first day 19 miles. This extra effort is well rewarded at LOW GILLERTHWAITE FIELD CENTRE where an evening can be spent by the open fire or enjoying a BBQ in the stunning isolation of this valley. The centre’s bunkhouse-style accommodation straddles Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk and welcomes individual walkers and groups, there are small bunk rooms and self-catering facilities. Alternative accommodation for your first evening would be WILD WOOL BARN which is closer to Ennerdale Bridge than Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre, lying just north of Ennerdale Water about 1 mile from the path.
Starts 4 miles ahead of the normal itinerary making a 10 mile walk to Rosthwaite. Small parties and larger groups can choose to make a detour off the Trail along the popular valley of Borrowdale for 1.7 miles to the isolated High House, giving a total day’s mileage of just under 12 miles. HIGH HOUSE provides bunkhouse-style self-catering accommodation and small bunkrooms. It has an overnight charge of £145 which covers a group of 1 to 26 people!
Follow the route from Rosthwaite to Grasmere (9 miles) then head south for approx 2 miles until you get to the village of Rydal. The OLD CAFE BUNKROOM is a self-contained micro bunk room, with one set of bunks, a small kitchenette and dining area. Bunkhouse guests are welcome to enjoy the facilities of the main guest house where B&B rooms can also be booked.
Another option for your third night’s accommodation is ELTERWATER HOSTEL. Leave the path at Grasmere and head southwest. Some careful map reading will take you to Elterwater and the comfortable hostel geared up to the needs of walkers.
From Grasmere the day begins with the climb up to the saddle above Grisedale Tarn and descent along Grisedale Valley to Patterdale, a total of 8 miles. SHEPHERDS CROOK BUNKHOUSE is in Patterdale five minutes walk from the route.
From Patterdale to Shap is 16 miles and usually takes about 6-8 hours. Leave the roue at Shap and walk for another 3 miles to the sleepy village of Reagil. Here REAGILL VILLAGE HALL offers you a warm night’s sleep.
Trace your steps back to Shap then walk another 20 miles to Kirkby Stephen. A longer walk than the previous day but over much easier ground. KIRKBY STEPHEN HOSTEL is in the centre of the village and provides a warm welcome to walkers. It has rooms for 2 to 8 people and a range of restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaways on the doorstep. There are also food shops to stock up on food. As well as self-catering if you would rather stay in and enjoy the hostel chatter.
Kirkby Stephen to Reeth (21 miles).
Is 19 miles to BROMPTON ON SWALE BUNKBARN, 3 miles east of Richmond and less than half a mile from the path. Brompton on Swale Bunkbarn provides duvets and sheet sleeping bags that can be hired. Cooking facilities are available (bring £1 for the meter). Ideal for lightweight walkers. Please note that Richmond Camping Barn, which was situated 3 miles west of Richmond is now closed.
Has a total distance of 23 miles and ends with a three-quarter mile diversion from the route to reach the next Independent Hostel at COTE GHYLL MILL (also known as Osmotherly Youth Hostel). Follow the route to Ingleby Arncliffe then walk a further two miles along the route to Mount Grace Wood. Using careful map reading, leave the C2C route at a hairpin bend in the path at Mount Grace Wood and take a three-quarter mile diversion via Chapel Wood Farm towards Osmotherly. Turn left when you reach the road and look out for signs for Osmotherly Youth Hostel.
If you decide to continue to Bank House Farm the next day, this involves two very long day walks in a row. So you might like to spend a rest day at Cote Ghyll Mill before embarking on exploring the delights and cafés of the pretty village of Osmotherly. It’s well worth a visit.
Re-joining the route north of Cod Beck Reservoir, a further 26 miles will take you to a location one mile before Glaisdale, where, using careful map reading, you can leave the route to take a one-mile diversion to BANK HOUSE FARM HOSTEL accommodation. Bank House Farm Hostel has also offered to collect you from Glaisdale and deliver you back the next day for free if you eat in The Arncliffe Arms in Glaisdale. The total mileage for this day is getting on for 28 miles. This includes the walk to the trail from Cote Ghyll Mill and the walk to Bank House Farm.
Back up to the Route for a mile, and then continue to Robin Hood’s bay 19 miles away, where THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE provides 4 and 6 bedrooms when not booked by a group.
This article shows the location of the hostels and gives suggested day-by-day itineraries. Full details of the route and other resources can be found on the LDWA website. The Walking Englishman’s website is also very interesting with photographic journals of his two C2C walks. In 1994 he walked it from East to West and in 1999 he walked it again in the opposite direction.
140 miles in length the C2C, Coast to Coast, Sea to Sea cycle route begins in West Cumbria in either Whitehaven or Workington and finishes on the North East coast in either Newcastle or Sunderland. Hostels and bunkhouses are popular choices among participating cyclists. This is because they offer great value for money, group-sized rooms, and a sociable atmosphere where guests can mingle and chat about the day’s events.
By tradition, the route is commenced by dipping the back wheel into the Irish Sea in Cumbria and finished by dipping the front wheel into the waters of the North Sea. The route takes under a week, on average, to complete. Due to the kinder gradients and prevailing winds is usually completed from West to East.
The route passes through the English Lake District, the Eden Valley, and the Pennines, covering 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, often at half the price of a B&B or a hotel. You will likely meet and exchange stories with other cyclists. Maybe you’ll share a few useful tips when planning your next leg of the route.
The main routes are the Coast to Coast cycle route from Whitehaven, or Workington in the Lake District to Tynemouth or Sunderland on the Durham coast and the Mountain Bike Coast to Coast which takes a similar route over more adventurous terrain. The map shows the locations of youth hostels, independent hostels, and bunkhouses along the traditional Coast to Coast cycle route. It suggests an itinerary for completing the ride using independent hostels for your accommodation. The map only shows hostels and bunkhouses which are easily reached from the route.
The Coast to Coast cycle ride, developed by Sustrans and its partners, has been open since 1994 and is one of England’s most popular cycle challenges. The route utilises National Cycle Network Routes 71, 7, and 14 which travel along the unused railway line, purpose-built cycle paths, unmade roads and quiet lanes.
For details of Wainwrights Coast to Coast Walk look here.
DENTON HOUSE in the centre of 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.
ALSTON YOUTH HOSTEL is at Alston and marks the halfway point on the C2C route. It has secure indoor storage for up to 30 bikes and a large drying room.
GARRIGILL VILLAGE HALL BUNKHOUSE is approximately 4 miles from the route south of Alston.
HAGGS BANK BUNKHOUSE AND CAMPING on the route, 5 miles east of Alston in the North Pennines.
CARRSHIELD CAMPING BARN is on the route, 7.5 miles east of Alston in the North Pennines.
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 cycle route and walkers on the Weardale way.
EDMUNDBYERS YOUTH HOSTEL is on the route at Edmundbyers.
HOUGHTON NORTH FARM. North West of the C2C as it approaches Tyneside.
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).
Day One: DENTON HOUSE in Keswick is a great first night stop off after around 30 miles. The HAWSE END CENTRE is accessible from the C2C route in Keswick via a regular Lake Launch. Six miles beyond Keswick on the C2C route is 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, it is well worth a visit. Full bedding and breakfast are provided for cyclists.
Day Two:
Day Three: The route takes you on 22 stunning miles to the “Roof of England”. The North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty. 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. For more basic accommodation CARRSHIELD Camping Barn will fit the bill. There, you will need to bring your own bedding and cooking equipment. If you fancy going a little further from the C2C route try GARRIGILL VILLAGE HALL or NINEBANKS Youth Hostel.
Day Four: Today’s ride starts out with an ascent to the NCN’s highest point, Black Hill on the Cumbria/ Northumberland border. From then on the route begins to descend to Rookhope and BARRINGTON BUNKHOUSE. The bunkhouse provides a continental breakfast and meals are available in the nearby Rookhope Inn. EDMUNDBYERS YOUTH HOSTEL is five miles further along the Coast to Coast route and has private rooms or camping.
Day Five: The last day of the Sea to Sea / C2C route is the mostly gravel, former railway track route to Sunderland or via Newcastle to Tynemouth. Accommodation is available north-west of Newcastle at HOUGHTON NORTH FARM ACCOMMODATION.
As outlined in Tim Woodcock’s guide: The Coast-to-coast Mountain Bike Route Pack. This route is usually travelled west to east using bridleways and other off-road routes to cross the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors to Robin Hood’s Bay on the Yorkshire Coast. The route is hard work, exhilarating and adrenaline filled! High points include Black Sail and Tan Hill. There are some road sections notably between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. There is a good choice of independent hostels and bunkhouses along the route and these provide great facilities for mountain bikers. Many have bike storage and wash-down areas and some even have bike repair facilities. The hostels provide self catering accommodation, often with meals available in the accommodation or nearby.
You can find the GPS for the route here.
The Pennine Journey takes place in some of the most stunning scenery in Northern England. It was inspired by the walks of Sir Alfred Wainwright who loved walking this part of the country. It takes you through the Yorkshire Dales, County Durham, and along the world-famous Hadrians Wall. The walk has everything, scenery, history, challenge, and lots of amazing Independent Hotels and Bunkhouses along the route.
Most commonly walkers begin in Settle and make their way up through limestone territory, drinking in the Yorkshire peaks. Moving over the wonderful Yorkshire Dales before reaching the moors of County Durham.
Then it is just a little way longer to the goal for Alfred Wainwright’s original walk, Hadrian’s Wall. Walking west for 21 miles you’ll be able to take in some of the sheer scale of this world heritage site. Greenhead is the last stop before heading back down the western side of the Pennines ambling on to Alston there’s lots of opportunity to stop in some wonderful accommodation. Soon after Alston the route reaches its peak as it crosses just below the highest point in the Pennines ( Cross Fell).
From here the walking eases up with a lovely stretch of downhill through the ever gorgeous Eden Valley, moving on to just edging round the Howgills and then back to Settle. Not a bad 247 miles! Throughout the journey, you’re spoilt for choice of lovely hostels to stay in. Picturesque locations and warm welcomes are a given.
Another perk of walking this route is that you will actively be supporting the creation of a new national trail! The people behind the trail have the goal of getting it recognised and by getting out on the trail you’re doing just that.
The Pennine Bridleway is a 205 mile (330 Km) long National Trail running through the Pennines. It stretches from Derbyshire to Cumbria. This relatively new route was officially opened in 2012 by Martin Clunes. Specifically designed for mountain bikers and horse riders. It is of course also perfect for walkers.
The Pennine Bridleway follows a variety of surfaces including minor roads, aggregate tracks, grassed stone tracks, stone setts, and worn flags. While some of these have been newly created specifically for the Pennine Bridleway others are drovers’ roads or packhorse trails that have been in use for centuries.
The route takes you through a wonderful variety of landscapes from open moorland to steep-sided wooded river valleys. It passes through both the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. You will pass a number of reservoirs which bring another dimension to the route. These were originally constructed to service the canals and the needs of the developing industrial cities of the north. More interest is provided by the evidence of the industrial heritage of the South Pennines. You will see derelict mills, dismantled railways, soot-blackened gritstone walls, and tall ivy-covered chimneys. It’s a route of contrast. It’s an adventure and a challenge and brings a great sense of achievement to those who complete it. For more details see the Pennine Bridleway’s own website.
All along the route, you will find a selection of independent hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns offering low-cost overnight accommodation. Many have secure bike storage and drying rooms and provide or hire out bed linen. Some provide breakfast and evening meals, others will point you in the direction of local shops and pubs. Read each hostel’s feature to be sure they are suitable for you.
An iconic and highly regarded route and the dream for many long-distance walkers. The Land’s End to John O Groats (LEJOG) walking route begins at Land’s End; the most south-westerly point of the UK. It finishes at John O’Groats; famous for being the most northern extremity of the UK. However, this isn’t strictly accurate as the most northerly part of mainland Britain is nearby Dunnet Head. Why the famous walking route isn’t “Land’s End to Dunnet Head” will always be a mystery. Maybe it is simply because it doesn’t sound as catchy!
Land’s End to John O’Groats walk gives you a little bit of all that the UK’s countryside has to offer, from Cornwall’s magnificent coastline of sparkling beaches, coves, and bays to Scotland’s dramatic wilderness of peaks, fells, and lochs.
Alternatively, walk the route the other way around; John O Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) and tackle Scotland’s tougher terrain first. That being said, once you have finished the fluctuating terrain of Scotland, the rest of the walk is by no means a stroll in the park. Unless your park is over 1,000 miles long!
As the crow flies, the distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats is 603 miles. However, without the ability to fly, making a beeline is near impossible.
The second quickest way to complete the Land’s End to John O Groats journey is to keep to main roads such as the M5. However, walking on motorways is neither pleasant nor legal. Using a variety of smaller roads is popular with walkers who are attempting to break records or are walking this route for charity as a challenge. On average, walking along smaller roads will be a distance of around 874 miles.
The most popular way to walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats or vice versa is by using long-distance footpaths. There is no clearcut path that takes you from one end to the other. So, the solution is to join up a number of long-distance routes. Long distance routes make up a substantial distance of this journey. If you plan the route carefully you can do the vast majority of the route via these paths with only small amounts of walking along roads or between paths. On average, using long-distance footpaths the route will cover around 1200 miles. This is substantially longer than “as the crow flies” or by road but it is far nicer.
Anyone can walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats! Due to the sheer length of the journey and diversity of terrain, the route is much better suited to experienced long distance walkers. If you are looking to embark on your first long distance trail, try St Cuthberts Way or Isaacs Tea Trail. These shorter walks would be much better suited to give you a flavour what it takes to achieve a long distance walk.
On average it takes an experienced walker 2 or 3 months to complete the route. This is without considering adverse weather, route changes or injuries. Walking Land’s End to John O’Groats is a massive feat of endurance and really something to be proud of. If this sounds like something you would like to do but you can’t commit to the length of time, why not cycle the route instead?
Or perhaps it is a pipe dream of yours to walk the route. But, it needs to be completed around other engagements such as family or work? In this case, the Land’s End to John O’Groats walking route could be completed over many months or years in smaller sections.
What are you trying to achieve by walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats? Are you trying to escape the business of everyday life? There are no emails to answer or water cooler gossip to get drawn into while walking through the UK’s wilderness. Just you and the footpath in front of you can be meditative. A good time for healing and being reflective.
Perhaps you want to push yourself and achieve something amazing. This route is highly regarded and revered. The repetition of walking and sleeping and walking again for months at a time requires a lot of stamina, determination, and self-motivation.
Where do we even begin? How about with a taster of what can be provided for you at a hostel? And a little insight into why hostels are perfectly suited to hosting cyclists who are travelling from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
The vast majority of our hostels provide bedding. This means you can greatly reduce how much you are carrying. As a cyclist, reducing kit is vital for conserving energy and saving time!
Many of the hostels on the Land’s End to John O’Groats route provide evening meals or have a pub or restaurant within walking distance. Embarking on an evening stroll may be a welcome respite from cycling all day!
Increasingly, hostels in the Independent Hostels network provide breakfast – where breakfast is not provided, most are in a town or village where provisions can be found easily.
Such is the nature of hostels, there will always be a self-catering kitchen on hand so you can cook up anything you desire. Though after a tiring day of cycling, perhaps a coffee and a cup-a-soup will suffice!
Many hostels accept individuals, which means you can pay for a bed for just yourself without having to hire out an entire holiday home. This is much more cost-efficient. Also, you may meet interesting people who are embarking on their own long-distance adventures.
Independent Hostel accommodation is a great choice for a stop-over on the Lands End to John O’Groats cycle route as they generally allow individuals to stay for one night only. This is ideal for when you are completing Land’s End to John O’Groats within a short time frame.
The people who run Independent Hostels around the UK understand what it takes to undergo a huge accomplishment such as riding from Land’s End to John O’Groats. That’s why your bike’s safety is their priority. In all but a handful of hostels, there is a covered space for bikes. In many of the hostels, the bike storage is secure. This means your bike can sleep as safely as you do.
Lon Las Cymru runs down the whole length of Wales for 250 miles from Holyhead to Chepstow or Cardiff. It is one of the toughest of all the long distance cycle routes. It follows a mixture of roads and shorter traffic-free sections. The route follows the spine of Wales from north to south taking in the best of Snowdonia (Eyri), Mid Wales, and the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) before arriving in the capital, Cardiff, or for the more rural option finishing in Chepstow on the Welsh/English Border. It is considered harder than the Coast to Coast in England, due to the difficulty of the mountainous. terrain.
The route takes in quiet lanes and family-friendly off-road cycle paths and takes you over the three mountain ranges of Snowdonia (Eyri), The Cambrian, and the Black mountains. National Cycle Network route 8 takes riders the whole way from Cardiff to Holyhead whilst those starting or finishing on the Welsh border use NCN route 42.
Traveling from south to north on Lon Las Cymru, the route takes at least four days. Some recommend taking it slower so you really get to enjoy the sights and sounds of Wales. While the famous valleys are beautiful, some of the industrial architecture steals the show. You’ll pass viaducts, disused train stations, and water wheels, all a reminder of the area’s industrial past.
After passing through the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) you’ll enter Mid Wales. The most underexplored part of the country by tourists. This middle section of Lon Las Cymru has the least climbing metres, allowing for a more comfortable day in the saddle. With your lungs and legs not burning as much you’ll get more of a chance to take in this underrated part of Wales. Maybe the only reason more people don’t come here is because of how beautiful the rest of the country is.
The next region on the route is Snowdonia (Eyri), the most strenuous part of Lon Las Cymru. The climb out of Aberllefenni is very difficult, especially when carrying all your gear. The scenery in Snowdonia is some of the most beautiful in the world, on a clear day, the views from the top of some of the hills are jaw-dropping.
The end of the journey is in Holyhead, the largest town in Angelsey and no Lon Las Cymru is complete without dipping your wheels into the waters of the Irish Sea. The route has taken you through the most beautiful, mountainous countryside of Wales. Now is the time to put your feet up.
