English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday Reviews

By Novice Walkerfrom London on 2012-04-27

Pros:  Fulfilling,Well Organised,Fun,Once in a Lifetime Experience,Great Accommodations
Describe Yourself:  Avid Adventurer
Best Uses:  Holiday,Thrill Seeking,Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

Just completed the first 82 miles of the coast to coast walk from St Bees to Kirkby Stephens. I can safely say that it has been one of the best holidays of my life, the experience surpassed my expectations in every way. I have climbed a few 4000m peaks in Europe, but the coast to coast walk has surpassed my previous experiences. The lake district was amazingly beautiful, I loved every minute of it. I cant wait to complete the remaining walk from Kirkby Stephens to Robin Hoods bay next year.My advise to anyone thinking of doing it would be to get fit because it is quite demanding. The fitter you are the more you will enjoy it. During the walk I did not meet a single person who was not enjoying the experience.[...]The below is content of my diary from the walk. Hope it helps you sign-up if you are thinking of doing the coast to coast walk.Day 1- St Bees to Enerdale bridge. 14 miles and over Dent hill over 300 meters. Great weather, great start, achy feet. Day 2- Enerdale bridge to Rosthwaite. 15 miles took the high route to red pike (755m), high stile (807m), high crag (744m) and hay stacks (544m). Walked for 10 hrs, just about crawled to BB for the night. Brutal but amazing day. My everest is done. Day 3 – Rosthwaite to Grasmere. Managed to crawl out of bed for a 9 mile walk, taking 6 hrs. Magical walk to Greenup edge (600m), took the high route to Grasmere. Not a soul in sight on the mountain. Blessed to have this experience.Day 4 – Grasmere to Patterdale: 8 miles, 4 hrs. Easy walk today. Due to bad weather avoided hellvellyn & striding edge route standing at 950 mtrs. Patterdale is truly beautiful. Tomorrow onto Shap – 16 mile walk.Day 5 – epic walk from Patterdale to Shap, 16 miles, climbed up to kidsy pike (807m), taking 8 hrs. Lake District is now behind us, tomorrow 20 mile walk to Kirkby Stephen. Walk through lake district has been amazing, surpassed my expectations.Day 6 – Shap to Kirkby Stephens. 20 miles, taking 8 hrs. My coast to coast walk ended today. Completed 82 miles, the remaining 109 miles to be completed next year. Over riding feeling is one of awe at the beauty of this island. Loved every moment of the walk.Finally, a mention of the B&B. Accommodation at all the BB was fantastic, the owners really contributed to making the experience a memorable one for me Thanks! St Bees – Abbey Farm House , Cleator Moor – Jasmine House, Borrowdale – Yew Craggs Guesthouse, Grasmere – Chestnut Villa, Patterdale – Old Water View, Shap – Brookfield House, Kirkby Stephen – The Jolly Farmers.

Images shared by: Novice Walker

By Desert rats Kara and Jimfrom Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on 2012-05-01

Pros:  Fun,Great Accommodations,Challenging,Once in a Lifetime Experience,Well Organised
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Holiday,Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

This was our first walking adventure of this type, and it won’t be our last! The combination of challenging daily walks with high quality accommodations could not have been better! We were glad that we took weekly long hikes in the months preceding this walk (as recommended by Macs Adventure), as the enhancement to our fitness paid off. We were delighted by the kindness and friendliness of all those we met throughout this part of England. We had no prior experience in selecting B&Bs, trusting Macs Adventure completely in this regard; the trust was well-placed. If you are from a place in the world that is not regularly rainy, be sure that your waterproofs are up to the task for this walk, including jackets, hats, gloves, pants, gators, and boots. One of our older, reconditioned Gor-Tex jackets was not quite adequate, and on our first day out, everyone and everything that arrived in Ennerdale Bridge was wet regardless of the quality of the gear. Enhanced the camaraderie among all the walkers, though! [...]

Mac’s Adventure Response: Hi Kara and Jim,

I am so pleased that you enjoyed the trip. Yes, unfortunately in this part of the world there are days when nothing could be classed as “waterproof”.

I look forward to welcoming you back in future.

Best Regards,
Neil, MD

Images shared by: Desert rats Kara and Jim

[ 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful ]

By xfrom Falmouth, UK on 2011-12-10

Pros:  Great Accommodations,Well Organised,Fun
Cons:  Some poor drying rooms
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Holiday,Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

Paperwork, information and route planning very good from Macs. Had some dreadful weather including being blowen along by the tail end of Hurrican Katia (12.9.11) but enjoyed recounting our experiences to friends. Accommodation good and hospitality first class. The luggage transfer system was very efficient. Was glad to have a spare pair of walking boots.

[ 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful ]

By Avid Aussie walkersfrom Sydney, Australia on 2011-10-05

Pros:  Well Organised,Fun
Cons:  Long boring roads
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Thrill Seeking,Getting fit
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

Overall it was well planned with great information. Some accommodation was absolutely superb although I would not recommend Somerset House Farm in ingelby Arncliffe to my worst enemy. In fact the walk from Richmond to this spot is pretty much a write off day with long boring stretches of road – catch the bus is your best option

By Silver Foxfrom Noosa on 2011-10-18

Pros:  Well Organised,Great Accommodations,Fun,Once in a Lifetime Experience
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Thrill Seeking
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

A great challenge ! Loved every second, even the wild weather we experienced. The best bit is the relationships you build with fellow trekkers, you are never alone. Fantastic drinking beer with all the wonderful people you have met at the Bay Hotel, Robinhood’s Bay.

Images shared by: Silver Fox

By Red Kingfrom Lancashire on 2011-09-22

Pros:  Once in a Lifetime Experience,Great Accommodations,Fun,Well Organised
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Trying Something New,Relaxation,Holiday
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

Accomodation everywhere was very good,except my accomodation in Shap(Room 13),which was not acceptable.

By Chris&Vivfrom Bedford on 2011-09-22

Pros:  Well Organised,Once in a Lifetime Experience
Cons:  Exhausting
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

Most of the accommodation was good the exception being Rowleth End Guest House.Having to spend 2 nights here almost ruined the holiday and I would not recommend this place to anyone. Also the owner was unaware that we required transport to the B&B.
Otherwise the Coast2Coast walk was a good experience and well organised by MacAdventures.

By Mooresfrom Las Vegas, Nevada on 2011-09-15

Pros:  Fun
Cons:  No cons
Describe Yourself:  Old-Timers
Best Uses:  Challenging
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

For Linda (age 72) and myself (age 77) this was a great adventure. We are experienced hikers who have traveled and hiked on our own for many years (Swiss Haute Route, Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, West Highland Way, etc.) As we get older, we appreciate the work of Macs in setting up B&Bs, etc, and sending guide books and maps, something we usually do on our own.

By Stevefrom Guernsey on 2011-09-12

Pros:  Fun,Great Accommodations,Once in a Lifetime Experience,Well Organised
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

We did West to East and felt that the first 5 days were the hardest but the scenery spectacular and after Shap you get stronger every day. My 11 year old son coped admirably, but you must train beforehand. Spend as much as you can afford on good boots and socks. Macs took away all the stress of booking your own accommodation and it rarely failed to please. Oh, and fellow C2C walkers are invariably interesting and supportive of each other. All that I hoped for and more. Will do it again.

By Team-leaderfrom Saffron Walden, Essex on 2011-09-06

Pros:  Once in a Lifetime Experience,Well Organised,Fun,Challenging,Great Accommodations
Describe Yourself:  Challenge seeker
Best Uses:  A personal challenge
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

Having booked all my own accommodation when walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and finding it time consuming and a hassle, coming across Macs was a blessing. I told them how many days we wanted to walk Coast to Coast in and they did the rest and it was superb! Some accommodation was better than others but all were comfortable and it was a joy to meet so many welcoming faces. Would definitely use Macs again.

By Nomadic Teachersfrom Wendover Bucks on 2011-08-26

Pros:  Great Accommodations,Well Organised,Fun
Describe Yourself:  Avid Adventurer
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about English Coast to Coast Walking Holiday :

We ‘only’ did St Bees to Kirkby Stephen but the challenging terrain combined with great weather made this a very satisfying experience