Alternative Coast to Coast

Location: Cumbria, Northumberland

OS Maps: Explorer OL5; OL6: OL7; OL16; OL31; OL42; OL43; 340

The Alternative Coast to Coast begins on one island and finishes on another. It starts on the west coast at the Beachcomber cafe on Walney Island near Barrow-in-Furness. After crossing the Irish Sea (tides permitting), the walk skirts the edge of Barrow, and on into the Lake District. Several Lakeland peaks are climbed, several delightful Lakeland villages are visited and the full length of Ullswater is walked. Between Penrith and Hexham, the route crosses the Northern Pennines. Hadrian's Wall is then negotiated before crossing Northumberland with its Cheviot Hills and wilderness areas. The ACC finishes in a grand style by crossing the North Sea (again tides permitting) and finally arrives at ancient Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, as it was once know, on the east coast. From Barrow, it is about 309 km to the majestic ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, founded in the seventh century. The walk seeks out places of interest where an extra day can be spent on local exploration instead of forging ahead. It does not always seek the high hills, but crosses moors, follows rivers and dales and goes through forests. It visits places of literary and historical interest. The route is arranged in stages so that, as far as is possible (but not always), the length of each stage is a good day's walk finishing at a place where accommodation can be found or is not far away.
The guide detailed below divides the walk into 18 stages. The starting point of these stages are as follows: Walney Island; Broughton; Coniston; Elterwater; Grasmere; Patterdale; Pooley Bridge; Penrith; Langwathby; Alston; Allendale Town; Hexham; Wark; West Woodburn; Hepple; Alwinton; Linhope; Wooler; Holy island.

Guide Book: [Click for further information or to purchase]

The Alternative Coast to Coast by: Denis Brook and Phil Hinchliffe. The guide provides a detailed description of the route, making navigation straightforward. There is a stage map for each of the 18 stages into which the route is divided. In addition there are navigational maps drawn at 1:30,000 for route finding plus auxilary maps at 1:15,000 where the route is complicated. In addition all the practical information required is provided, plus facinating commentry on a range of topics related to the route and places of interest. For those who enjoy circular routes there are suggested return routes for ten of the stages.