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
Within the old primary school at Lowick Green, nestled between Coniston Water (4 miles) and Ulverston, the bunkhouse has a lounge with wood-burning stove, large kitchen/dining room opening onto a patio with great views of the mountains and an outdoor area with campfire.All groups staying in the bunkhouse need to be doing an organised activity.
Between Grange Over Sands and Kendal on the northern shore of Morecambe Bay, within the beautiful Whitbarrow Nature Reserve in the southern Lake District. Built for cyclists and walkers with drying room, laundry, kitchen, diner, lounges, cycle storage, workshop and bike wash. Perfect for groups, families and individuals. Just 500m from the Morecambe Bay Cycle Way, the Lakes & Dales Loop and NCN 700 & 70.
Kendal Hostel is situated close to Kendal’s town centre. It is available for exclusive hire only and provides comfortable and affordable accommodation for groups of outdoor enthusiasts, friends, and family.Kendal Hostel provides your group with 40 beds in eleven bedrooms, well-equipped self-catering facilities, a large comfy lounge with log burner, secure bike storage, and a drying room. At the gateway to the Lake District National Park, close to the Dales Way and LEJOG.
Stay Howgills, a converted stone barn in Ravonstonedale in the rugged Cumbrian Hills. The Barn sleeps 14 in 4 rooms, and the Bothy sleeps 2. Superbly equipped and well heated, guests are sure of a cosy, comfortable stay. Situated down a long farm track with stunning views, perfect for walkers and cyclists. Wainwright’s Pennine Journey passes by and the Pennine Bridleway is close.
Former Methodist Church with a range of accommodation for individuals, families and groups amongst beautiful authentic features; stained glass, arches and panels. There’s a large dining room & kitchen and a quiet lounge in the gallery. Kirkby Stephen is a market town in the upper Eden Valley. On Wainwright’s Coast to Coast path with easy access to the Pennine Journey, the W2W cycle route, the Howgill Hills, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.
Located on a small working farm, just 3 miles east of Richmond, Yorkshire. Brompton on Swale Bunkbarn offers a welcome break from walking or cycling the Coast to Coast. A pot of tea for weary walkers upon arrival and safe storage for bikes makes this bunkhouse especially welcoming. Close to the Yorkshire Dales, Swaledale, Wensleydale, Easby Abbey, Richmond Castle & Ellerton Lakes.
Dogs welcome (on a lead as there are ducks, hens and geese.)
Situated in a beautiful secluded valley in the NY Moors National Park, this refurbished mill with en suite rooms, is perfect for those wishing to explore the Yorkshire moors, dales & coast. You can book the whole Mill, a room or a bed. Great for educational groups, families, outdoor clubs and gatherings of friends. Group activities and catering available. Next to Cod Beck reservoir, Cleveland Way, Coast to Coast & Lyke Wake Walk.
The perfect bunkhouse for cyclists, walkers and lovers of the outdoors.This stylish purpose-built bunk house has a bike shop, repair centre, cafe & bike hire.Situated away from the crowds in the stunningly beautiful North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Cyclehub Bunkhouse sleeps up to 26 guests across 6 ensuite rooms.Book by the bed, the room or book sole use of the whole place.
Luxury bunkbarn, camping barn and B&B on an organic farm in beautiful Glaisdale Dale. Stunning views of the North York Moors and just 1 mile from the Coast to Coast route. The bunkbarn is warm & well appointed with one dorm of mostly single beds. The camping barn provides simple, single-night shelter for walkers and cyclists.
The Old School House welcomes schools, groups, walkers and families to the picturesque village of Robins Hood’s Bay. Home to one of the best beaches on Yorkshire’s east coast. At the end of Wainright’s Coast to Coast walk and on The Cleveland Way. Ideal for groups of families and friends to book exclusively and also available to individual families looking for an affordable holiday by the sea.
Carrs Farm Bunkhouse is a converted 17th century barn with stunning views over Weardale. It provides comfortable bunk bed accommodation for groups of up to 21 people in three rooms. There is a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, games/lounge area and outdoor seating with BBQ.Situated on a working farm at the heart of the North Pennines. Guided walks and outdoor activities are available for groups and schools.
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.
