United Kingdom

Off-Road Coast to Coast

Guided Mountain Bike Tour

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

6 days

Prices from

$1,745 P.P.

E-MTB HIRE AVAILABLE

This tour is great fun on a regular mountain bike or an e-mountain bike and you can choose to hire either when you book your holiday with us! If you’re an experienced rider, you can choose one of our quality e-mountain hire bikes and experience the buzz of a pedal-assisted ride. Select your e-MTB hire when you book a holiday with us. Bear in mind that the pace will be set to riders with a regular mountain bike.

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A coast to coast journey for those who enjoy off-road riding. Running from Whitehaven on the Irish Sea to Tynemouth on the North Sea the route still offers the same amazing scenery as the Classic C2C Route, but involves more technical trails and tracks. It is suited to mountain bikers looking for a coast to coast ride or those riders who have completed the Classic Route and fancy more of a challenge.
Setting off from Whitehaven we go eastwards into the solitude and space of the Lake District. Crummock Water and Buttermere serve up a taster of what to expect over the next few days. The first day also sees us tackle Honister Pass and take in Catbells, before we head via Keswick to Threlkeld. From here we roll through the beautiful Mosedale Valley and onto Penrith. The off-road challenge of Hartside offers a big highlight of the journey! At a height of 333 metres and situated in the North Pennines Area of natural Beauty (AONB) the views from here are magnificent. On a clear day you should be able to see Helvellyn, Skiddaw and over to Criffel in Scotland.
From here we head down to Leadgate and Garrigill before taking on the mining tracks around Nenthead and then Black Hill, the highest point of our journey. Issac’s Tea Trail then winds us across the moors before we pass through the village of Allendale. Soon we climb to Bolts Law before descending to finish the day in Edmundbyers. Our final day’s riding sees us biking through forests and woodland, heading through County Durham and Tyne and Wear before taking the Tyne Cycle Tunnel under the river. Our journey ends on the beautiful east coast at Tynemouth - a fitting end to our off-road adventure.
This Coast to Coast (as with the Classic version) is also available as a private departure for groups of friends, colleagues, families or anyone else! If our published dates don't work, you would like a slightly altered itinerary or you would prefer a private group trip please contact us.
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Highlights

  • The sense of achievement riding from Coast to Coast
  • Sinking an Allendale Ale after a day on the bike
  • The dramatic landscapes of the Lake District, Northumberland & the Pennines
  • Riding classics such as Crummock Water and Catbells
  • The forest of Slaley and woods of Chopwell
  • Challenging yourself on the passes of Honister and Hartside

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Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Newcastle

Our meet-up point will be in Skedaddle’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 our accommodation to Threlkeld, near Keswick.

For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle in Newcastle as we’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 Skedaddle guide about the next few days of riding.

Day 2
Whitehaven to Threlkeld
43 Miles / 70 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 1,170 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 1,170 Metres Approx.

Following an early breakfast we’ll transfer to Whitehaven Harbour which marks the start of our 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, we’ll follow the route of a disused mineral railway to Kirkland. From here we’ll take quiet country lanes along an undulating route to Loweswater to commence our off-roading.

Our initial riding takes us 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.

Our first major challenge today is Honister Pass. Although an on-road ascent it’s very steep in places but allows us to gain back some decent height. We top-out at the slate mines of Honister before a steep on-road descent to Seatoller rewards us for our efforts.

Once in the valley we soon reach the lovely village of Grange where after a few pedal turns we head off-road once more. A tricky initial section is soon forgotten about as we‘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 our next section is on the road as we make our way to Keswick, the ‘hub’ of the Northern Lake District. From here the final few miles of easy off-roading along a well surfaced and flat route rounds off the day nicely to end our 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.

Our evening meal will be taken at our pub accommodation that we’ve been bringing tired and hungry Skedaddlers to for as long as we can remember and there’s no better place to be after this initial day on the bike.

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Day 3
Threlkeld to Eden Valley
32 Miles / 51 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 685 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 685 Metres Approx.

There’ll be little chance to warm-up the legs this morning as we’ll be heading steeply upwards straight from our accommodation.

Thankfully these first few miles of the day are on road until we reach Blease Fell. After a well-deserved breather the off-road fun begins with the initial section being a real treat. Time to enjoy the longest stretch of un-gated tracks in the Lakes as we roll our 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 segment through one of the Lakes most picturesque valleys down to the hamlet of Mosedale.

From here we make our 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’s just a few miles left (including a kicker of a hill out of Penrith!) to ride until we reach our accommodation on the outskirts of the village of Langwathby in the Eden Valley.

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Day 4
Eden Valley to Edmundbyers
46 Miles / 74 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 1600 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 1600 Metres Approx.

A few twists and turns transport us out the Eden Valley before our date with Long Meg and Her Daughters near Little Salkeld – a superb Bronze Age stone circle is well worth spending a bit of time exploring. Our morning challenge comes soon after the village of Gamblesby when we take on the legendary Hartside (580 metres). Firmly etched in C2C folklore we’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 we head down to Leadgate and Garrigill before more off-road shenanigans through the old mine workings of Nenthead until we reach Black Hill, which at 609 metres is the highest point we’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 travelling 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, we 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.

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Day 5
Edmundbyers to Tynemouth
37 Miles / 59 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 590 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 590 Metres Approx.

We start this morning with a few ups and downs as we leave the North Pennines behind us. It’s not long before we reach the Forestry Commission of Chopwell Woods for some excellent woodland riding. A few meandering miles then takes us through Rowlands Gill, Sunniside and Springwell as we ebb and flow between County Durham and Tyne & Wear.

Popping out at Hebburn there’s a short road section before we 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 our biking adventure.

Once over the other side of the river we soon pass by the Royal Quays Marina and the Fish Quays of North Shields with its bustling little harbour 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 Skedaddled our Coast to Coast Off-Road trip!

Photos taken, you will then be transferred back to Newcastle’s Quayside and our 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 Saddle Skedaddle – if you catch us during office hours, why not come and say hello?

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




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Day 6
Departure from Newcastle
  • Meals: Breakfast

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.

Understanding Profiles

Use these profiles to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)

Click 'see gradient' to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • % Gradient (vertical axis)

Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.

White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain. Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, will give you a full picture of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be. Please keep in mind this is an indicative guide and GPS units and software produce different statistical information.

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The Cycling

Terrain

This route offers some fantastic off-road riding, with technical trails, singletrack and double track. Many of the trails on these routes are rocky, with drop offs and step ups, loose stoney surfaces, mud, grass & the occasional roots.

This type of riding needs good bike handling skills and off-road experience to make the most of the trip. There are also some tough, and long, climbs (both off and on road), so a good level of fitness is required.

This trip also uses part of the National Cycle Network (notably the initial section from Whitehaven) operated by Sustrans, a charity devoted to promoting the use of sustainable transport.

Whilst predominantly off-road the route does also follow quiet country lanes, cycleways and paths including sections on old railway lines with gravel or cinder surface.

The routes are subject to changes depending on weather conditions and local alterations.

The pace of this holiday will be set by regular bikes but appropriate Electric Mountain Bikes may also be suitable. Chat to us if you would like to rent or bring your own. An E-bike is perfect if you’re wanting an extra boost to tackle those technical ascents or to assist with the distance. Please note – E-MTBs are heavier than standard mountain bikes, so worth considering when handling the bike on rough or rocky trails. It would be a good idea to try one first, perhaps at your local trail centre!

For more information about riding an e-MTB on our holidays please click here

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Mountain Biking Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 3 : Moderate

Distances of 25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day

Aimed at regular cyclists who have a degree of off road experience

Some moderate and difficult technical sections

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?

If you have some experience of off road riding on a variety of terrain, and would like to do more, a grade 3 trip could be for you. These rides give you elements of our higher grade trips but at a manageable level with sections of singletrack (narrow trails wide enough for one rider) and shorter steep sections (both up and down) which require more bike handling ability. A day’s ride can see you on the trails for around 8 hours (with breaks) and covering between 25-50 miles depending on the terrain. If you’re generally fit and manage to ride regularly this could be the level for you.

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.

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Dates & Prices

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a $375 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.

Select a date to view prices and book
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
16/05/2025
Return Date
21/05/2025
Duration
6 days
Price
$1,745.00
Start Date
04/07/2025
Return Date
09/07/2025
Duration
6 days
Price
$1,745.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms)

B) Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides

D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid

E) Support vehicle and luggage transfers

F) GPX files available upon request

G) Scheduled Newcastle train station transfers Day 1 and Day 6

H) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required)

B) Travel costs and 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 museums and other attractions en route

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Private Departures

Private Departures

Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.

The Essentials

Travel Options

The arrival point for this holiday is Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where we will meet up before transferring to Threlkeld. If travelling by car you will be able to leave your car in Newcastle for the duration of the trip at no additional cost.

If you would prefer to catch the train, the most convenient station for this trip is Newcastle with several services from London a day whisking you up north in around 3 hours. Please aim to arrive by around 14:30 on the Friday afternoon. At the end of the holiday we include a 09.00 transfer to Newcastle train station on the Wednesday morning.

Please check with us before making any travel arrangements to make sure we have reached the minimum number required to guarantee your holiday and to ensure your arrangements fit with our scheduled transfers and logistics.

Please note If you make alternative travel arrangements, which fall outside of the group schedule, there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

Accommodation

For this tour we use B&Bs, country inns and small family-run hotels.

In Newcastle, where we start and finish the tour, we use the centrally based Hilton Gateshead/Newcastle on the quayside. Although much larger than the majority of the accommodation we use it is well placed for pick-ups and drop-offs and situated a short distance from the Newcastle Central train station.

Should you prefer to head home after the final day of riding there is a $US50 reduction. It will however have been a long day and we don’t recommend this if you’ve a long journey ahead.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to rent.

For this tour we have Giant Trance and Stance full suspension Enduro/Trail bikes. These are 29ers set up tubeless with disc brakes, dropper seatposts and quality components.

We also have hardtail bikes available to rent. These bikes are Giant Talon XC/Trail bikes with front suspension, disc brakes and quality components.

We also have a limited number of Electric Mountain Bikes available to rent. These bikes are good quality Giant Trance X E+ 2 with 625Wh batteries. The full suspension electric Enduro / Trail bikes are tubeless 29ers with disc brakes, dropper posts and quality components. All eMTB rentals are dependent on availability which will be checked for you at the time of booking and one of our team will be in touch to confirm the details.

If you do decide to rent a bike we can include a helmet (though always nicer to bring your own!) and all necessary spares for the trip. If you would like to borrow a helmet please let us know before the trip.

Our bikes come with high quality male and female MTB saddles but you are welcome to bring your own if you would prefer. If you use clip-in pedals / SPDs you will need to bring these along.

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