Coast to Coast Path becomes England’s newest National Trail

A beloved long-distance walking route has gained official recognition as a National Trail by the government.

The iconic 190-mile Coast to Coast Path officially launched as England’s newest National Trail on Thursday, 26 March.

Plotted in 1973 by fell walker Alfred Wainwright in his book A Coast to Coast Walk, the path stretches from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

More than half a century after Wainwright imagined the route, government body Natural England has invested £5.5m into bringing the path up to National Trail standard.

The improvements include better signage, better surfacing, accessibility upgrades and opportunities for cyclists and horse riders to follow the path on suitable sections.

An accessible lakeside route around Ennerdale Water with new surfacing and bridges has also been created, as well as three miles of new flagstone path laid to help walkers tackle the notoriously challenging Nine Standards Rigg and White Mossy Hill.

Some parts of the route required more attention than others. In theNorth York Moors, recovery work was needed after damage from last year’s wildfires.

The route will receive annual maintenance funding to keep it in good condition.

It takes walkers through some spectacular areas of English countryside, from fells in the Lake District, limestone landscapes in the Yorkshire Dales and river valleys in the North York Moors.

The Coast to Coast Path also passes through historic villages such as Bolton-on-Swale, Danby Wiske and St Bees.

Local communities say they feel the benefit of the walkers on the trail, with the majority stopping in villages to eat, drink or stay overnight.

The entire path typically takes around 16 days to complete based on walking 12 to 14 miles each day. Only 6,000 complete the entire trail every year, but thousands more walk shorter sections of the path.

To celebrate the launch of England's 17th National Trail, a new stone marker will be unveiled at Keld to flag the point that walkers are halfway between the North Sea and the Irish Sea.

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said the Coast to Coast Path “showcases some of Northern England’s most treasured landscapes and today marks the completion of four years of work to give this iconic route the status it deserves”

“The Coast to Coast has inspired walkers since Wainwright first walked it over fifty years ago. As a National Trail with improved accessibility, paths and signage, it will offer a new generation of walkers, wheelers and riders the chance to enjoy the route and bring new tourists to businesses along the way.”

Read more: The most scenic walks in the UK, from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands