Getting to Newcastle or Penrith is easy. If you are planning to arrive by air, there is an international 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, 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: 1120 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. You can expect to set off pedalling from around 10am if you are taking the transfer from Penrith, or 11am if you are taking the Newcastle transfer.

Whitehaven Harbour marks the start of your ride and it’s only a few pedal strokes 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. This is a good place for lunch and for those wishing to learn a little about the surrounding forest, the audio-visual presentation at the Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre is well worth a look.

From here an excellent descent takes us through Braithwaite and Portinscale on the banks on 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, the main centre for this part of the Lake District.

Leaving Keswick you follow another railway line, this time alongside the River Greta. You quickly pass near the sacred Castlerigg Stone Circle, a Bronze Age meeting place, followed by Threlkeld. The views here are wonderful. To the northwest stands Blencathra (868 metres) and to the southeast Great Dodd (856 metres) towers above Deepdale. 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 and shortly afterwards you will arrive at your accommodation in Penrith.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1500 Metres Approx.

Today you’ll encounter the hilliest and highest points on the trip. From Penrith you continue on to Edenhall and Langwathby. From here the route gets a little harder as you reach Hartside Pass (580 metres) where you can stop and enjoy the spectacular views before you set off again, descending into Alston, the highest market town in England. From here it’s a short, but tough climb up and over into the old lead mining village of Nenthead. Climbing again you reach the highest point on the route, Black Hill (609 metres).

After crossing Killhope top, you reach Allenheads, one of the highest villages in England and 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 you get to Rookhope Arch.

From Rookhope, the standard route skirts the contours of Stanhope Common on quiet lanes and you continue through the beautifully wild scenery and ups and downs of the North Pennines, before descending to your accommodation in the picturesque village of Blanchland.

Alternatively, you can extend your ride via Stanhope to climb the iconic Crawleyside Bank, before descending Edmundbyers Common to your hotel – this option extends the day’s mileage by approximately 8 miles / 13km and has around 250 metres additional climbing.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 625 Metres Approx.

After an initial climb up to Parkhead Station this morning, you join the ‘Waskerley Way’ disused railway line, which is now a stunning traffic-free cycle route, down to the once thriving steel town of Consett. With the hardest cycling behind, you head predominantly downhill towards your goal of Tynemouth. The route then follows a pleasant green route along the Derwent Valley towards the Tyne, 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.