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Walney to Wear (or Whitby mind) is a coast-to-coast experience. Coming in at 149 miles it’s just a little bit longer than the more well-known coast-to-coast route. As well as rating slightly more challenging. But in exchange for this extra difficulty, you’ll be rewarded with an excellent ride across some truly astounding scenery, and a chance to stop off at the highest inn in the British Isles!
Walney to Wear
The Walney to Wear route is a more challenging version of the more famous coast-to-coast route. However it features more spectacular scenery and you will spend more time in some of the quietest parts of the country, away from traffic and tourist hot spots.
The journey begins in Walney the peculiarly thin island off the coast of Cumbria from there you will traverse the southern Lakes. Upon reaching the market town of Kendal you may want to stop for a tea and a piece of its famous mint cake. The next major point of interest is the jaw-dropping Howgills, seeing you through to Kirkby Stephen. You’re then onto the real challenge, the climb of Tan Hill. 1730ft up you’ll be glad to see the Tan Hill Inn, the perfect place to refresh yourself and take stock at the half way point.
From here you’ll straddle the lower section of the North Pennines AONB carving a path on through to Barnard Castle where the route splits off into two. You now have the choice of a (slightly longer) trip south east to Whitby or you can head north east to Wear. Either path you take is sure to be a blast!
The terrain along the trail is hilly but consists of mostly back roads and traffic light areas not, to mention some of the finest scenery the UK has to offer.