Holiday Highlights
- UK’s favourite long distance cycle route
- Dramatic English landscapes
- Cycle friendly route
- Stress-free cycling complimented with an abundance of pubs and cafes en route
- Bike friendly B&Bs offering mouth-watering breakfasts
- Suitable for adults and older children
Itinerary
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 at no additional cost, 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: 800 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 navigation 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: 500 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: 600 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: 850 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: 550 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 thankfully, pre-dominantly downhill towards the once thriving steel town of Consett.
With the hardest cycling behind, you head towards your goal of Tynemouth. The route then follows a pleasant green route leading over numerous bridges and old railway viaducts and affording great views of the countryside. On reaching the Newcastle Quayside the impressive Baltic Arts Centre is on the Gateshead bank just across the Blinking Eye Millennium Bridge. Continuing on the northern bank of the Tyne The Cycle Hub is situated on your right and 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 – if you catch us during office hours, why not come and say hello? Waving goodbye, you complete your final few miles of the coast to coast alongside the River Tyne to 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 either Newcastle or Penrith.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
The route follows quiet country lanes, cycleways and paths including sections on old railway lines with gravel or cinder surface.
Most of the route is on tarmac roads and paths with some short sections of hardpacked gravel surfaces, so the ride can be completed on almost any type of bike. The first few miles leaving Whitehaven has some tree root damage and a very short hard-packed gravel section, which is suitable for road bikes when ridden with a little extra care. The majority of the route between Stanhope and Newcastle along a former railway line also has gravel surfaces, which can be ridden on a road bike with touring tyres fitted, however there is a tarmac alternative to the standard route if preferred. Most roadies tackling the route in a few days prefer this option.
It is possible to use an e-bike on this holiday, which would be particularly beneficial on Hartside Pass and some of the other longer climbs, if you’re after a bit of a boost. Please note, e-bikes are generally heavier than standard bikes, so it is worth considering when handling the bike over some of the rougher / uneven terrain.
For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here
Coast to Coast uses a part of the National Cycle Network, a route from the charity, Sustrans, who are working to make it easier for everyone to cycle in the UK. Skedaddle will donate to Sustrans for every mile that you and others ride on this route with us. If you fancy donating more to Sustrans, you can choose to make your own donation for the development of the National Cycle Network when you make a booking with us.
Family Cycling Grade
Distances generally of between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day
For those energetic families that exercise frequently
May include some steeper, cheeky climbs and possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Although you may not cycle everyday, you do keep yourself relatively fit and maybe you and the kids enjoy an afternoon out on your bikes at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter terrain but you‘re all up for tackling some hills, and the occasional steep climb if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle some ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 holiday to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable with some longer days in the saddle.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
Daily departures available from April to the end of September, call us about October.
2025 £995 per person
Kid’s Discounts
For children below the age of 18 who are travelling with 2 full-paying passengers, we are able to offer a 25% discount off the basic holiday cost.
If you‘re happy sharing a family room, once we’ve received your booking we will check what rooms are available and we may be able to offer (up to) an additional 25% discount for the children (subject to availability).
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a £200 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin/ double rooms)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Access to an app for holiday information and navigation
D) A printed map
E) Luggage transfer service
F) Local Skedaddle representative
G) Emergency tool kit, pump etc. (if renting your bike from Skedaddle)
H) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike and helmet rental (available if required)
B) Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Meals not stated in the itinerary
D) Single room (available if required)
E) Travel insurance
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
H) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
I) Other optional activities
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