Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route - 5 Days & 4 Nights

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.7 Read 31 reviews

Journey across England by bike from the Irish Sea to the North Sea
Cycle the Lake District past the stunning Helvellyn mountain range
Discover the prehistoric Castlerigg Stone Circle
Climb the challenging 580m Hartside Pass
Visit Greystoke Castle, home of Lord Greystoke, inspiration for the Legend of Tarzan

Cycle from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, west to east, along the UK’s most popular long-distance cycle path, the C2C. Dip your back wheel into the sea at the beginning of your epic journey and your front wheel in at the end, as tradition demands. Pedal along quiet country lanes and cycle paths with the rugged mountains of the Lake District National Park and heather covered moors of the North Pennines as your backdrop. As you pass through Cumbria you will be in awe of the surrounding peaks of Helvellyn and Skiddaw, which provide some of the most stunning scenery in the UK.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

Cycling primarily along quiet country lanes and cycle paths through England’s largest National Park, outstanding countryside and the North Pennines Geopark it's easy to understand why this is the most popular long distance cycle on the British Isles.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 16 Years

Grade & Terrain

This tour is rated moderate to strenuous because it is such a challenging route. We have a two different route options so that you can spread the distance out over more cycling day, making it a little easier, but the daily ascents still keep this longer itinerary at the same grade. The steepest climbs and highest point are in the Pennines. However, if you pace yourself well, have very good physical fitness and are used to cycling between 30-50 miles a day on rolling terrain you will be able to do it.

The terrain covered includes short sections on main roads (mainly entering and exiting towns - approx. 5% of the route), about 50% on quiet country roads and 45% on traffic-free routes. The surface specifics are as follows: 83.8% asphalt, 14.3% "unsealed firm" tracks/cycle paths, and 1.8% "unsealed loose" tracks/cycle paths.

Navigation

The C2C cycling trail is a National Cycle Network Route and well-signposted. You will be provided with a comprehensive guidebook and detailed map.

Accommodation Information

We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. All offer a warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.

Single Rooms & Solo Travellers

This cycling holiday is bookable by solo travellers, and if you are travelling as a group but would prefer your own room we can also arrange single rooms. Single rooms are available, subject to availability and with a supplement payable. Please note that singles may not be of the same size as twins/doubles.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs.

Included

Overnight in hand-picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
Transfer from Newcastle to Whitehaven and from Tynemouth back to Newcastle
Baggage transfer
Information pack
Detailed route notes with maps
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to / from Newcastle
Bike hire
Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire

When To Go

The C2C is available from April through to September. Any time between these months is good to take this tour. Spring is beautiful and September will be less busy than July and August. Wet or wintry conditions could be experienced near the start or end of the season, including fog. Wet weather has in the past flooded some parts of the path, though customers have been given alternative routes where this has happened.

Availability

You can start on any date that suits your travel plans and you will find up to date availability on our website. The Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle is very popular so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to.

Getting to the Start

The C2C Cycling route begins in Newcastle and finishes in Tynemouth. From Tynemouth an included transfer will bring you back to Newcastle (approx 30min journey). Newcastle is a major transport hub in the Northeast of England and has excellent rail, road and air links from both Scotland and the South of England. You can plan your travel by checking Traveline.

If you are planning to drive to Newcastle, you will be able to leave your car at your accommodation. If you are doing this please let us know so we can check if there is enough space for you.

Getting from the End

Newcastle is a major transport hub in the Northeast of England and has excellent rail, road and air links from both Scotland and the South of England. You can plan your travel by checking Traveline.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 15kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as a warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer.

Equipment

Bike hire is available as an optional extra. Good-quality hybrid bikes are available, the bike will be a Giant Roam or a similar model. Full details about the bike will be in your information pack. All rentals include a helmet, lock, rear panniers, rear luggage rack, water bottle holder, a pump, 2 spare inner tubes, puncture repair kit.

Please note that if you do want to rent a bike you need to provide us with your height so that we can make sure that the bike is going to be a good fit.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book?

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How do the baggage transfers work?

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Newcastle and overnight Day 2 Transfer to Whitehaven and cycle to Keswick 32 miles / 52 km Day 3 Cycle from Keswick to Alston 46 miles / 74 km

After a hearty breakfast, leave the hustle and bustle and Keswick behind to arrive shortly at Castlerigg Stone Circle and Greystoke Castle. Soon you'll enter the North Pennines and Hartside Pass, renowned as the toughest climb on the route. However, England's Highest Cafe provides a just reward for your efforts and is the perfect place to refuel before continuing onto Alston.

Approximate Ascent: 1075m / Descent: 870m

Overnight Alston

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Alston House Hotel | Hotel

Alston House Hotel is an imposing 17th century building situated a few minutes stroll from the centre of Alston; which is one of the highest towns in the UK. Alston is well known for its quaint cobbled streets and lovely shops. Over the last two years all of their rooms have been completely refurbished with luxury bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, deep, plush carpets and high quality memory foam beds for that all important good night’s sleep. They are delighted to consistently be the No 1 place to eat in Alston on Trip Advisor. Lighter bites and delicious homemade cakes and scones are served in the house cafe, which is an ideal place to chill and take in the stunning views.

Cumberland Inn | 3 Star | Inn

The Cumberland offers you a warm welcome. The comfortable rooms were fully refurbished in 2006, and all offer en-suite bathrooms, hairdryers, colour television and tea and coffee making facilities. In November 2008 they were awarded 3 stars by Visit Britain in the 'Inn' category of Guest Accommodation.

Lowbyer Manor | Country House

Lowbyer is a Grade II listed Georgian Manor House, each of the nine guest bedrooms have been designed with the guest in mind, All rooms are en-suite with either a bath or shower room and have complimentary refreshments tray, colour television, radio alarm clock, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries. Their cosy snug Bar with inglenook fireplace offers a wide selection of wines, spirits, liqueurs, soft drinks and bottled cider, lager & beers. The Guest Lounge with real wood fire, is a very comfortable and relaxing room. It offers a good selection of books, magazines and daily newspapers.

Day 4 Cycle from Alston to Stanhope 28.5 miles / 46 km Day 5 Cycle to Tynemouth, transfer to Newcastle for onward travel 40 miles / 65 km

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