A soft breeze danced across the tranquil surface of Innominate Tarn, disturbing the delicate balance of bogbean and tussock grass at its edges. From my rocky outcropping atop Haystacks, I gazed out upon the breathtaking panorama of Buttermere and Crummock Water glinting like polished gemstones to the north, while the rugged silhouettes of Pillar and Great Gable rose majestically to the south. The air was filled with the haunting calls of ravens, their presence a reminder of the wild beauty that surrounded me.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I felt compelled to express my gratitude to two individuals whose paths had led me to this enchanting place: Alfred Wainwright and Rishi Sunak. In very different ways, both men had brought me to this Lakeland crag, and for that, I was eternally grateful.
Wainwright, the iconic figure of fell walkers, had sketched out a route connecting St Bees Head on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea in the 1950s. His vision of traversing the grandest territory in northern England through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors national parks was nothing short of visionary. Today, Wainwright's Coast to Coast path is one of Britain's most popular multi-day trails, attracting thousands of walkers each year.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak had campaigned tirelessly for the designation of this route as a national trail, overcoming obstacles such as poor signposting and maintenance issues along the way. With £5.6m in funding from Natural England, the project aims to upgrade infrastructure, improve navigation, and enhance the overall experience for walkers.
As I embarked on my own journey along the Coast to Coast path, I was struck by the transformation taking place. Gone were the days of uncertain paths and limited signage; instead, I found a well-marked route with improved infrastructure, making it easier for even the most navigationally-challenged among us to enjoy this incredible landscape.
The improvements were evident from the start, as I descended into Dentdale and followed Nannycatch Beck through an enchanted realm of rowan and hawthorn trees. The photogenic Herdwick sheep posed obligingly on Raven Crag, while the newly-laid flagstones on White Mossy Hill ensured that even in inclement weather, walkers could traverse this breathtaking valley with ease.
As I continued north, I discovered new long stretches of stepping stones protecting precious peat and delicate moss ecosystems. The postcard-perfect village of Keld beckoned me to stop and refuel, while the lead-mining relics around Swinner Gill added another layer of enchantment to my journey.
The final day brought a sense of satisfaction as I completed the last stretch to Robin Hood's Bay. In Little Beck Wood, I joined laughing families on stone paths laid by Bernie and volunteers, replacing slippery boardwalks with something more accessible and enjoyable.
As I reflected on my journey, I couldn't help but think of Angela Hobson's words: "I took my daughter up to White Mossy Hill and said to her: 'You'll be able to walk over this with your children, and they'll be able to walk over it with their grandchildren.'" Wainwright's legacy had been refreshed, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to experience this incredible landscape.
For those considering a Coast to Coast adventure, Macs Adventure offers various holiday options, including a 14-day itinerary from £1,579. Whether you're a seasoned walker or looking for a more relaxed pace, this route has something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your walking boots, and get ready to experience one of Britain's most breathtaking landscapes in all its glory.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I felt compelled to express my gratitude to two individuals whose paths had led me to this enchanting place: Alfred Wainwright and Rishi Sunak. In very different ways, both men had brought me to this Lakeland crag, and for that, I was eternally grateful.
Wainwright, the iconic figure of fell walkers, had sketched out a route connecting St Bees Head on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea in the 1950s. His vision of traversing the grandest territory in northern England through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors national parks was nothing short of visionary. Today, Wainwright's Coast to Coast path is one of Britain's most popular multi-day trails, attracting thousands of walkers each year.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak had campaigned tirelessly for the designation of this route as a national trail, overcoming obstacles such as poor signposting and maintenance issues along the way. With £5.6m in funding from Natural England, the project aims to upgrade infrastructure, improve navigation, and enhance the overall experience for walkers.
As I embarked on my own journey along the Coast to Coast path, I was struck by the transformation taking place. Gone were the days of uncertain paths and limited signage; instead, I found a well-marked route with improved infrastructure, making it easier for even the most navigationally-challenged among us to enjoy this incredible landscape.
The improvements were evident from the start, as I descended into Dentdale and followed Nannycatch Beck through an enchanted realm of rowan and hawthorn trees. The photogenic Herdwick sheep posed obligingly on Raven Crag, while the newly-laid flagstones on White Mossy Hill ensured that even in inclement weather, walkers could traverse this breathtaking valley with ease.
As I continued north, I discovered new long stretches of stepping stones protecting precious peat and delicate moss ecosystems. The postcard-perfect village of Keld beckoned me to stop and refuel, while the lead-mining relics around Swinner Gill added another layer of enchantment to my journey.
The final day brought a sense of satisfaction as I completed the last stretch to Robin Hood's Bay. In Little Beck Wood, I joined laughing families on stone paths laid by Bernie and volunteers, replacing slippery boardwalks with something more accessible and enjoyable.
As I reflected on my journey, I couldn't help but think of Angela Hobson's words: "I took my daughter up to White Mossy Hill and said to her: 'You'll be able to walk over this with your children, and they'll be able to walk over it with their grandchildren.'" Wainwright's legacy had been refreshed, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to experience this incredible landscape.
For those considering a Coast to Coast adventure, Macs Adventure offers various holiday options, including a 14-day itinerary from £1,579. Whether you're a seasoned walker or looking for a more relaxed pace, this route has something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your walking boots, and get ready to experience one of Britain's most breathtaking landscapes in all its glory.
the coast to coast path is literally stunning ! i mean, who wouldn't want to hike through the lake district and yorkshire dales ? but seriously, rishi sunak is a lifesaver for improving the infrastructure along the route , £5.6m is no joke! and it's amazing how far the trail has come since wainwright first sketched out his vision in the 1950s . the way they've preserved the natural beauty of the landscape while making it more accessible to walkers is just genius 
i think it's high time we give some international flavors a try instead of always going for the same old british pub grub.
omg i just got back from the most epic coast to coast hike and it was LIFE CHANGING!!! 
, especially after wainwright first sketched out the route all those years ago 
. i mean, can you even imagine having to navigate that path with no signs or infrastructure in place? 
anyway, i just wanted to share my amazement at how gorgeous it was and how much fun i had exploring that beautiful lakeland region 
macs adventure offers some pretty sweet holiday options too if you're thinking of tackling the coast to coast yourself 
I mean, what's up with the 14-day itinerary from £1,579? That's like, totally overpriced for a basic walk along the Coast to Coast path! Can't they just offer a more affordable option or even create their own route without charging an arm and a leg? And another thing, can't Macs Adventure just use some of that funding to improve signage in places where it's still super sketchy? I mean, I've been on this path myself and had to navigate using my phone like 5 times because there were no signs. It was super frustrating! 
.
. If you're thinking of taking on the Coast to Coast path, I say go for it! You won't regret it 
. And shoutout to Alfred Wainwright's legacy living on – his vision of connecting the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales is still inspiring walkers today 
, and this trail is definitely one for the books 
. Can't wait to explore more of Britain's beautiful landscapes with improved trails ahead! 
. Think about it: if someone's willing to put in £5.6m of funding into upgrading infrastructure for a walking trail, what else can they invest their time and energy into? It could be our communities, our families, or even just our own personal growth 
. The beauty lies not just in the end result, but in the journey we take to get there 
Alfred Wainwright was a total legend for mapping out that route, and Rishi Sunak is a genius for making it happen 
. I mean, can you even imagine having to navigate through those dodgy trails back in the day? 
I'm seriously considering doing this trek myself next year... who's with me?! 
I just read about the amazing improvements on Wainwright's Coast to Coast path 
The project received £5.6m in funding from Natural England and has seen major upgrades including better signage, improved infrastructure, and enhanced navigation 
.
. Like, seriously, Rishi Sunak's efforts to upgrade the Coast to Coast path have made such a huge difference for walkers like us. It's no longer just about roughing it and using our wits (although, let's be real, that's part of the fun 
). Now we can actually enjoy the scenery without worrying about tripping over uneven paths or getting lost in the fog 
.
also, Wainwright's original route was approximately 192 miles long, but it's now been extended to over 190 miles with some sections merged or realigned. 
. but now, with rishi sunak's efforts, it's a whole new world of walking bliss 
. £1,579 might seem steep to some, but trust me, it's worth every penny 
.
. Remember those old-school maps by Alfred Wainwright? Now we have improved infrastructure and navigation, making it easier for people to enjoy this beautiful Lake District landscape 
But honestly, sometimes I wish things were a bit more rustic and unpredictable... the thrill of not knowing what's around the next corner is gone 
. Still, I suppose progress is good news, especially for families like Angela Hobson's who can now walk with their grandkids 
.
the coast to coast path is like a big ol' hug from nature! 
i love how rishi sunak and alfred wainwright came together to make this route more accessible to everyone 
, and oh my gosh, it's like wainwright's dream has finally come true 
the improvements are so noticeable - from the well-marked trails to the newly-laid flagstones, it's a walker's paradise 
buttermere and crummock water glinting in the sun like polished gemstones is just... *chef's kiss* 
with various holiday options starting from £1,579, it's like they say: "you can't put a price on nature" 