Getting to Newcastle or Penrith is easy. If you are planning to arrive by air, there is an airport at Newcastle with direct services to Newcastle Central train station. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle at your accommodation (supplement payable), or if the train is your preferred transport mode, you can either take a taxi from the station to your accommodation or it is just a short 10-15 minute walk away.

Please make sure that you let us know whether you prefer to arrive into Newcastle or Penrith at the time of booking.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1100 Metres Approx.

After an early breakfast, you will be met by our Skedaddle representative at your accommodation in either Newcastle or Penrith and they’ll provide you with your rental bikes (if renting) and your map and chat you through how to use the Skedaddle App. They will then transfer you to Whitehaven to begin your journey.

Whitehaven Harbour marks the start of your ride and it’s only a few pedals before you leave the somewhat industrial Cumbrian coast and reach some of the prettiest countryside in the UK. Initially following the Cumbrian Cycle Network, you will follow the route of a disused mineral railway to Kirkland. From here you follow quiet country lanes along an undulating route via Loweswater and Low Lorton to Whinlatter Pass.

From here an excellent descent takes you through Braithwaite and Portinscale on the banks of the River Derwent to Keswick. Keswick is in a picturesque setting between the dramatic peak of Skiddaw and the lovely Derwentwater. This is a bustling town and the main centre for the Northern Lake District. Leaving Keswick you follow another railway line, this time alongside the River Greta. You will quickly pass near the sacred Castlerigg Stone Circle; a Bronze Age meeting place, to your overnight accommodation in Threlkeld. The views here are wonderful. To the northwest stands Blencathra (868 metres) and to the southeast Great Dodd (856 metres) towers above Deepdale.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.

The route is now one of quiet traffic free country lanes through hillsides dotted with small farms. Next place of interest is Greystoke Castle on which the legend of Tarzan is based. Shortly afterwards you will arrive at your accommodation in Edenhall.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 650 Metres Approx.

From Edenhall you continue on to Langwathby. From here the route gets a little harder as you reach Hartside Pass (580 metres). Take a moment to enjoy the spectacular views before you set off again! The day ends with a long and exhilarating descent into Alston which will be home for the evening.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.

Today you will encounter the hilliest and highest points of our trip. From Alston it’s a short, but tough climb up and over into the old lead mining village of Nenthead. Climbing again you will reach the highest point on the route, Black Hill (609 metres).

After crossing Killhope top, you reach Allenheads. Not only boasting that it’s the highest village in England, it’s also home to one of the quirkiest pubs – The Allenheads Inn. Containing rooms full of bric-a-brac and nick-nacks it’s a challenge to negotiate your way to the bar…never mind from it! Just a few more miles before we get to Rookhope.

From Rookhope we skirt the contours of Stanhope Common on quiet lanes and continue along to Stanhope, where we climb the steep Crawleyside Bank before descending to our accommodation in Edmundbyers.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 700 Metres Approx.

This morning you will have the last big climb of the trip up to Parkhead where you join the Waskerley Way, which is a traffic free trail that takes in the rugged, expansive scenery of the North Pennines, and contours pre-dominantly downhill towards the once thriving steel town of Consett. The route follows a pleasant green route leading over numerous bridges and old railway viaducts and affording great views of the countryside. On reaching Gateshead and the impressive Baltic Arts Centre you cross the Blinking Eye Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne into Newcastle. The Cycle Hub is situated on your right just after this and is 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 Saddle Skedaddle and we’d love you to come and say hello. Not far to the end now as you head into the heart of the shipbuilding area of the Tyne. On passing Wallsend, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum – why not add a little Roman history to your C2C experience? Continuing along close to the river we soon reach the Fish Quays of North Shields, where you’ll find a bustling little harbour and the finest fish and chips in the North-East! We are now at the very mouth of the Tyne and a few more pedal turns lead to your final destination, Tynemouth.

Congratulations – you’ve just Skedaddled the Coast to Coast!

We’ll meet you in Tynemouth and load your bikes up for the return trip to Newcastle or Penrith.