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Self Guided Plus+ Cycling

Coast to Coast

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

From £1,535 Book Now

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Trip created by Paul Easto
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Region: Multi-Location
Trip Type: Self Guided Cycling
Accommodation: Classic
Confirmed: When 2 Traveller(s) Book
Deposit From: £383.75 £383.75

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All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

Download Itinerary

It’s a special feeling to ride across any country and even better to do so on a route which showcases the best of what that country has to offer. This 5-day cycle tour offers you the experience to ride some of the best roads in the UK as you traverse England, passing through three National Parks along the way.

Starting in the magnificent Lake District you’ll enjoy some of the quietest and undiscovered roads the country has to offer. Challenging climbs and thrilling descents feature as you wind your way through the world-class roads of Yorkshire and into the North York Moors. By the time you reach Robin’s Hood Bay on the east coast, you will have ridden 360km/220 miles. All powered by the fantastic range of food and drink you’ll find in the village pubs, cafes and restaurants we pass through each day.

This price is based on a group of 4, prices will vary depending on group size. Please get in touch with our team to confirm the trip price for your group.

Trip Highlights

  • Ride Coast to Coast across the country, through England's most iconic landscapes.
  • Savour memorable climbs and descents in three magnificent National Parks.
  • Experience the awesome roads of Yorkshire, used in the Tour de France and World Cycling Championships.
  • Enjoy the best of English hospitality from welcoming rural pubs to cycle friendly cafes and award-winning restaurants.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Whitehaven to Keswick

We’ll meet you at Penrith train station mid-morning (or alternatively arrive the night before) and then transfer out to the start point at Whitehaven, situated on the west coast of Cumbria, for the start of your Coast to Coast journey. The first 16km/10 miles are mostly off-road on a dedicated cycleway as far as Ennerdale where we enter the Lake District National Park. Enjoy a relaxed cafe lunch before heading deep into the Lakeland Fells via the Buttermere valley. The main climb of today, Honister Pass, soon begins and a series of steep ramps lead through increasingly dramatic scenery. From the top, take in the views before descending down to beautiful Borrowdale before cruising alongside Derwent Water to reach your overnight stop in the town of Keswick.

Ride Distance: 60km/37mi Ascent: 2,850ft/858m

Day 2 - Keswick to Ravenstonedale

A recently opened stretch of lovely cycleway leads us out of Keswick, where the imposing mountain of Blencathra makes its presence felt. After 25km/15mi or so, we recommend a stop in the charming village of historic Greystoke before leaving the Lake District National Park and riding into the Eden Valley. The route follows quiet rides and the cycle friendly Strickland Arms makes for an ideal pub lunch stop. On little used backroads wind your way through Great Asby Scar Nature Reserve before climbing one final hill to descend to the village of Ravenstonedale. Here you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome and a wonderful dinner. (B)

Ride Distance: 85km/53mi Ascent: 3,465ft/1,055m

Day 3 - Through the Yorkshire Dales

Today is an absolutely superb ride as we enter then traverse the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Enjoy a relaxing breakfast before warming up for the first 10km/6mi on the country lanes which lead to Nateby. Here you’ll join the Lamps Moss climb which ascends some 1017ft/310m at an average grade of 8%. From the summit, the reward is perhaps the best 30km/19mi of cycling of the whole trip. With the gradient (and usually the prevailing wind) on your side, you’ll be cruising down the full length of the Swaledale Valley on roads used in the Tour de France. Once at the foot of Swaledale, another cracking climb awaits over the Cote de Grinton Moor, descending to the Wensleydale Valley. En-route, you may wish to visit the impressive 14th century Castle Bolton before riding the final miles to your overnight stop in the attractive market town of Masham. (B)

Ride Distance: 82km/51mi Ascent: 3,755ft/1,145m

Day 4 - Masham to Stokesley

An easier day today as you traverse the gently undulating Vale of Mowbray to reach the North York Moors National Park. After the challenging climbs of the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll love the first 50km/30mi of the ride as you make good progress to the quaint village of Osmotherley on the western edge of the North York Moors, the third National Park of the trip. With several inviting pubs to choose from, this is a good spot for lunch before you climb gently over the moor, heading north to your overnight stop at Stokesley – a lively small town with a great choice of restaurants and bars. (B)

Ride Distance: 76km/47mi Ascent: 1,844ft/562m

Day 5 - Stokesley to Robin Hood’s Bay

Your final day of riding threads its way through the North York Moors National Park to reach England’s east coast on the North Sea. Be prepared for some testing climbs and exciting descents as the moorland, which characterises the National Park, is regularly crossed by deep valleys. There’s an opportunity to warm up before you hit the first series of climbs up to Commondale and your highest point of the day. Descending to Castleton, you’ll be sure to want to stop at what must be a contender for England’s most superbly situated village. After Castleton, it’s a case of climb, descend, repeat although be reassured that none of the climbs are particularly long. Closing in on the finish, you’ll pick up an old railway line that gently climbs high above the sea before rolling downhill to the picturesque village of Robin’s Hood Bay. Dip your wheels in the sea to celebrate the completion of an epic Coast to Coast cycle journey. (B)

Ride Distance: 55km/34mi Ascent: 2,575ft/785m

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Self Guided Cycling
Coast to Coast

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Price from: £1,535
Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights

Trip Details

Accommodation Read More

This itinerary includes 4 nights in 3 or 4-star standard accommodation ranging from cosy guesthouses, inns, small hotels, bed and breakfast – or perhaps even on working farms, all of which are the picture of warmth, comfort and rustic charm typical to northern England. Our accommodation partners are carefully handpicked for a number of factors – picturesque locations, very good facilities and a reputation for providing welcoming hospitality.

Accommodation will be reserved on a Bed & Breakfast basis, lunches and evening meals are not included. Local shops sell sandwiches and snacks for the day ahead. Many guesthouses will also be able to provide a packed lunch for you if you ask them the night before. In the evenings, meals can be taken in local restaurants, hotels or bars.

Single Rooms

Single occupancy rooms are available for a small supplement. Please get in touch with the team to book.

Inclusions Read More
  • 4 nights accommodation in 3-4 local owned hotels, inns and guesthouses on a B&B basis.
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary: Breakfast each day.
  • A support vehicle throughout the trip who will offer guidance, local insights, snacks, change of clothes, navigation and a boost if needed.
  • Soigneur / Support driver / bike mechanic / first aider available 24/7 while on the trip.
  • Essential equipment including GPS with pre-loaded routes. Your soigneur will also have a bike lock, bike tool, spare inner tube, pump and tyre levers if required.
  • Bike cleaning and maintenance throughout the trip.
  • Welcome briefing and expert bike fitting on Day 1 if hiring.
  • Daily luggage transfers and private transfers to and from the start/endpoint.Need a bike? See our bike hire page for details.
Trip Grading Read More

Blue Graded 4-6

Blue graded trips are suitable for people with a good level of bike fitness, who regularly enjoy cycling and may have joined a multi-day cycle holiday before.

Distances each day will be between 35 – 45 miles, cycling at around 12/13mph. Each day will be rolling and hilly terrain and there will be notable climbs most days. Some of these will be more testing and some riders may opt to push or ride in the support vehicle. Some climbs are also followed by exciting descents. We will be in the saddle for 5 – 7 hours each day plus the odd longer day. There is also time each day for breaks and lunches, plus some visits to sites of interest.

Travel Read More

Arrival Info
Make your own way to Penrith Train Station where you will be met by your soigneur and transferred out to Whitehaven for your bike fit and to begin your adventure.

Departure Info
Either transfer back with your soigneur to Darlington mainline train station or alternatively, choose to stay in Robin Hood’s Bay for an extra night or two.

Upgrade and Customise Your Trip Read More

If you wish to add an extra day’s riding to your trip, we really recommend staying another night in Masham. From here there are several loop rides which take in the region’s best roads used in both the Tour de France and the World Cycling Championships in 2019.

On your final day, you should finish riding mid-afternoon. Choose to transfer back to Darlington and the mainline train station for onward travel that evening or alternatively we recommend staying a night or two in Robin Hood’s Bay. The village is vibrant and encourages a relaxed day of exploring the streets, wandering along the beach and sampling the fresh-as-gets seafood which features in the local pubs and restaurants. Simply let us know your preference for the trip finish and we’ll take care of all the details.

Accommodation Upgrades are available in some locations for a supplement and are subject to availability. Please note that choosing to upgrade the accommodation may mean additional transfers to and from the route at the beginning and end of each day.

Contact us to discuss what options will work best for you.

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Speak to an Expert

Chris Page

Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Britain & Ireland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

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Difficulty Grades Explained

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