Off-Road Coast to Coast

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival in Newcastle

   The meet-up point will be in the operator's hometown of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Newcastle serves as the most convenient train station for those who wish to arrive by rail and included in the trip price is a late afternoon transfer from here to your accommodation in Threlkeld, near Keswick.
   
   For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle in Newcastle as you'll be returning here at the end of the trip.
   
   Over the evening meal in Threlkeld, you’ll have the chance to get to know the rest of the group and chat with the guide about the next few days of riding.
   
   

   • Accommodation in Threlkeld
2. Day 2Whitehaven to Threlkeld

   Following an early breakfast you’ll transfer to Whitehaven harbor which marks the start of your ride. It doesn’t take long to leave the somewhat industrial coast behind, quickly reaching some of the prettiest countryside in the UK.
   
   Initially following the Cumbrian Cycle Network and the Classic C2C route, you’ll follow the route of a disused mineral railway to Kirkland. From here you’ll take quiet country lanes along an undulating route to Loweswater to commence the off-roading.
   
   The initial riding takes you around the ‘back’ of Crummock Water and Buttermere. It’s a nice ‘warm up’ for the legs and serves as a taste of what to expect over the next few days.
   
   Your first major challenge today is Honister Pass. Although an on-road ascent it’s very steep in places but allows you to gain back some decent height. You'll top-out at the slate mines of Honister before a steep on-road descent to Seatoller rewards you for your efforts.
   
   Once in the valley, you'll soon reach the lovely village of Grange where after a few pedal turns you'll head off-road once more. A tricky initial section is soon forgotten about as you‘re greeted with superb views of Derwent Water below before enjoying a great roller-coaster of a track along the side of the lovely Catbells.
   
   From here the next section is on the road as you make your way to Keswick, the ‘hub’ for the Northern Lake District. From here the final few miles of easy off-roading along a well surfaced and flat route round off the day nicely to end the day in Threlkeld. The views along this section are wonderful. To the northwest stands Blencathra (868 metres) and to the southeast Great Dodd (856 metres) towers above Deepdale.
   
   The evening meal will be taken at your pub accommodation that the operator has been bringing tired and hungry cyclists to for as long as they can remember and there’s no better place to be after this initial day on the bike.
   
   

   • 42.9 miles
   • 4,921.3 ft
     4,921.3 ft
   • Pub accommodation in Threlkeld
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Threlkeld to Eden Valley

   There’ll be little chance to warm-up the legs this morning as you’ll be heading steeply upwards straight from your accommodation.
   
   Thankfully these first few miles of the day are on road until you reach Blease Fell. After a well-deserved breather, the off-road fun begins with the initial section a real treat. Time to enjoy the longest section of un-gated tracks in the Lakes as you roll your way past disused slate mines until Skiddaw House.
   
   Picking up the Cumbrian Way shortly afterwards, a tricky (but fun!) singletrack section soon connects to a well-maintained and well-surfaced section through one of the Lakes' most picturesque valleys down to the hamlet of Mosedale.
   
   From here you'll make your way to Penrith via a series of bridleways and tracks that weave their way through the small villages and hamlets including Berrier Roman Road. After a quick pit-stop here there are just a few miles left (including a kicker of a hill out of Penrith!) to ride until you reach the accommodation on the outskirts of the village of Langwathby in the Eden Valley.
   
   

   • 31.7 miles
   • 3,280.8 ft
     3,280.8 ft
   • Langwathby Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4Eden Valley to Edmundbyers

   A few twists and turns transport you out of the Eden Valley before your date with Long Meg and Her Daughters near Little Salkeld – a superb Bronze Age stone circle that is well worth spending a bit of time exploring. The morning challenge comes soon after the village of Gamblesby when you'll take on the legendary Hartside (580 metres). Firmly etched in C2C folklore you’ll be taking the direct off-road route up rather than the windy road option, so make sure your climbing legs have been packed today.
   
   From here you'll head down to Leadgate and Garrigill before more off-road shenanigans through the old mine workings of Nenthead until you reach Black Hill, which at 609 metres is the highest point you’ll reach on this coast-to-coast journey.
   
   Some great riding across the moors follows along Issac’s Tea Trail. The trail is named after Isaac Holden, a traveling tea seller in the early 19th century who followed this route in all weathers selling tea to farms and outlying hamlets.
   
   Soon after passing through the former mining village of Allenheads, you'll climb to Bolts Law in preparation for an epic off-road descent to finish the day in Edmundbyers. The Baa Micropub in the village is home to some excellent local ales.
   
   

   • 46 miles
   • 5,479 ft
     5,479 ft
   • Accommodation in Edmundbyers
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     Bronze Age Stone Circle

     Visit 'Long Meg and Her Daughters' near Little Salkeld on day 4

5. Day 5Edmundbyers to Tynemouth

   You'll start this morning with a few ups and downs as you leave the North Pennines behind. It’s not long before you reach the Forestry Commission of Chopwell Woods for some excellent woodland riding. A few meandering miles then takes you through Rowlands Gill, Sunniside and Springwell as you ebb and flow between County Durham and Tyne & Wear.
   
   Popping out at Hebburn there’s a short road section before you reach the Tyne Cyclist Tunnel, Britain’s first purpose-built cycling tunnel. Running under the River Tyne between Howdon and Jarrow it opened in 1951 and heralded as a contribution to the Festival of Britain. Recently re-opened it’s a fantastic way to continue your biking adventure.
   
   Once over the other side of the river you'll soon pass by the Royal Quays Marina and the Fish Quays of North Shields with its bustling little harbor area which is home to some of the finest fish and chips around. You are now at the mouth of the Tyne and a few more pedal turns lead to your final destination, Tynemouth. Congratulations – you’ve just biked the Coast to Coast Off-Road trip!
   
   Photos taken, you will then be transferred back to Newcastle’s Quayside and your accommodation for the evening. Centrally located it’s the perfect spot to explore the legendary ‘toon for a few celebratory drinks and enjoy a delicious meal at one of its fine restaurants. The Newcastle Quayside is home to the impressive Baltic Arts Centre on the Gateshead bank just across the Blinking Eye Millennium Bridge. From the Millennium Bridge, you’ll be able to see The Cycle Hub; the perfect place for a well-earned cuppa and a slice of delicious homemade cake. It’s dedicated to the cyclist and also the home of the tour operator.

   
   Should you be short of time then it’s possible to depart from Newcastle tonight, with a £40GBP per person reduction possible for those choosing this option.
   

   • 36 miles
   • 2,329.4 ft
     2,329.4 ft
   • Hilton Gateshead, Newcastle
   • Breakfast and Lunch
6. Day 6Departure from Newcastle

   This morning you can take a morning transfer to Newcastle train station or treat yourself to a lie-in and have a more relaxed morning before enjoying breakfast and heading on your way.
   
   Should you have a little more time available Newcastle is a great place to have a wander around and take in the sights and sounds.
   
   It’s a compact place with most things centrally located and with something for everyone. Highlights include the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts, the Sage and numerous prestigious museums such as the Laing Gallery.
   
   For those looking to take in a spot of cafe culture and wanting to kick-back and take it all in there’s lots of great options to choose from in what for us is the UK’s most fun and friendliest city.
   
   

   • Breakfast