This page has links to pages of words and photos from a 2018 hike along the Wainwright Trail in Northern England.  This Coast to Coast Trail has amazing variety and some challenging hikes. I did 2/3 of the trail with Stephen Plume and Jim Gold. Schedule challenges caused Stephen and I to only spend 9 nights in England.  Jim finished the trail for the fourth time.

Please click a title or photo to get to the respective page. 

St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge

After a nice afternoon and evening in St Bees, we hiked the first leg of the C2C Walk past a beautiful coast, through small villages, and over a fell (a 1100 ft hill) entering the Lake District.

 

Ennerdale to Rosthwaite

The second day of our C2C Walk would feature brilliant blue skies and white puffy clouds. We would hike along Ennerdale Water, climb over a high pass, and descend  to the charming village of Rosthwaite.

 

Rosthwaite to Grasmere

We walked through the valley of Stonethwaite Beck with iridescent clouds and Eagle Crag in the background before taking an altenative high route over Calf Crag and Helm Crag.

 

Grasmere to Patterdale

For the second day in a row we took an alternate high route. Although it made for a challenging day, we certainly did not regret this choice. The highlight was hiking the length of Striding Edge.

 

Patterdale to Shap

Day 5 included a long climb past Angle Tarn with great views back to Helvellyn and Striding Edge, a long downhill after Kidsty Pike, a hard and boring walk past Haweswater, and a pleasant amble to Shap.

 

Shap to Kirkby Stephen

No major mountains this day, but lots of ups and downs. By the end of the day we had walked over 20 miles with over 2000 feet of elevation gain over undulating fields and moorland.

     

Kirkby Stephen to Keld

It was a very soggy day slogging crossing the moors with rain and fog. We got lost, but found our way to our lodge in Keld where we dried off and had a nice dinner.

 

Keld to Reeth

We finished our planned 2/3 of the C2C with a hike through the remains of  iron mining operations. Along the way we saw some red grouse.