Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route - 5 Days & 4 Nights
- 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
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Newcastle and overnightAfter arriving in Newcastle and checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore this vibrant city in England's northeast. Newcastle has excellent transport links by rail, road and air to the rest of the UK.
Hotel Indigo Newcastle is a four-star boutique hotel in the heart of the city, heavily influenced by its location within the historic Grainger Town area. The hotel features an on-site Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill restaurant, which is proving to be one of the city’s most popular eateries. Alternatively, the contemporary Grainger Lounge is open for lunch, afternoon tea and light evening dinners - the perfect place to unwind in comfortable surroundings.
Located in the city centre of Newcastle, Sandman Signature Hotel is a luxury accommodation only a 20 minute drive/train journey to the Northumberland countryside. This accommodation offers a laundry service, bike storage, and packed lunch on request.
You will be collected early this morning and transferred 2.5 hrs to Whitehaven on the west coast to begin your cycle. As is the tradition, dip your wheel in the Irish Sea to mark the start of your 140-mile coast to coast journey across England. Leave the west coast behind and pedal into the beautiful Lake District National Park, where you will stay in the bustling market town of Keswick on the shores of Derwentwater lake.
If you have time why not treat yourself to a traditional English cream tea and scone in one of Keswick's cosy cafes? Then later pop into one of the pubs for a hearty evening meal and a pint of local ale.
Approximate Ascent: 605m / Descent: 540m
The Keswick Park was built in 1880 as a traditional Lakeland/Cumbrian slate house near the centre of Keswick. In the 1970's it was converted to a comfortable Guest House. It is conveniently located for bed and breakfast only 200 metres level walk from Keswick town centre, the "Queen of the northern Lake District".
The four-star Skiddaw Hotel is set in the picturesque market town of Keswick. Each of the 43 en-suite bedrooms offers a high standard of comfort and has all the amenities you would expect from a good hotel.
A friendly service and a warm Lakeland welcome awaits you at the Kings Arms Hotel, a historic 17th century coaching inn in the heart of Keswick. You will experience the legacies of a true Coaching Inn, in modern day comfort and luxury. Guests of the Kings Arms have free use of the leisure club at their sister hotel just 3 miles down the beautiful Borrowdale Valley, which includes an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court and hot tub and an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym and beauty salon.
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
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. 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.
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 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.
Pedal through the former mining village of Nenthead, still with many miles of accessible mines, before facing another challenging climb to the highest point on the route - Black Hill at 609 metres above sea level. The rest of the day offers a relatively easy ride to your next overnight stop at Stanhope.
Approximate Ascent: 985m / Descent:1065m
You can be sure of a warm welcome when you arrive at Parkhead Station House. All the bedrooms are named after the railway stations that existed along the original railway line to Consett. There is a guest lounge to unwind in the evenings, or on summer evenings you can enjoy the beautiful outdoor surroundings taking in the views of the moorland. Parkhead is also a tearoom where you can enjoy a great selection of homemade treats, snacks and daily specials.
The Bonny Moorhen is a lively country Inn. The family orientated Inn has comfortable rooms with tea and coffee and wifi.
A steep climb out of Stanhope takes you up Crawley Side to join the Waskerley Way where you will be rewarded by beautifully remote moorland views. This last leg of your trip leads you through the North Pennines Geopark and countryside until reaching the River Tyne. Finally, reach the sea at Tynemouth Castle and dip your front wheel in the ocean to signal the end of your sea to sea cycling adventure.
You will be collected from Tynemouth and transferred back to Newcastle (approximately 20 minutes) to either pick up your car or to the train station for your onward travel arrangements.
Approximate Ascent: 298m / Descent: 472m
This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?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.
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!
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years
The 4 day/3 night tour is rated moderate to strenuous because it is such a challenging route in terms of elevation, whereas the 5 day/4 night tour is rated moderate (with one day rated as moderate to strenuous due to the elevation involved). We have a two different route options so that you can spread the distance out over more cycling day, making it a little easier. 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.
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
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.
The C2C cycling trail is a National Cycle Network Route and well-signposted. You will be provided with a comprehensive guidebook and detailed map.
- Overnight in hand-picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
- Transfer from Newcastle to Whitehaven, the start point
- Baggage transfer
- Information pack
- Detailed route notes with maps
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
- Transfer from Tynemouth back to Newcastle
- Travel to / from Newcastle
- Bike hire
- Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route
- Bike hire
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.
The C2C Cycling route begins in Newcastle and finishes in Tynemouth.
By Air
Newcastle International Airport is the closest Airport and is located a 15 minute taxi ride/20 minute by metro from the city centre. It is served by many airlines both internationally and domestically within the UK.
By Rail
Newcastle is a major transport hub in the Northeast of England and has excellent rail links from both Scotland and the South of England. You can plan your travel by checking the National Rail website.
By Car
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. Secure parking is also available at Newcastle Airport and you can catch the Metro into the city centre.
The A1 (M) passes through Newcastle linking it to the South of the country via the M62. The A69 links west to Carlisle, the Lake District and via the M74 to Glasgow.
By Coach
National Express operates a range of inter-city bus services and further information is available by phone on + 44 (0) 8705 80 80 80.
From Tynemouth an included transfer will bring you back to Newcastle (approx 30min journey).
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.
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.
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.
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.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Sea to Sea Cycle Route is extremely popular especially over April/May and July/August. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
We offer three itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully, you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular cycling in hilly terrain supplemented by cardiovascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your cycle. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
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.
You will need a bike in good condition, we would recommend a hybrid or a mountain bike with semi-slick tires. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as helmet, cycling clothes warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
Traditionally April/May has always been the most popular time of year because the theory goes that the weather is better. However, any time between late March and October offers a wonderful experience.
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