Wainwright’s coast to coast route becomes England’s newest national trail
The “Wainwright Way” takes on the coast of the Irish Sea, travels through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors national parks
The coast to coast walking route brought to life by famous fell walker Alfred Wainwright has become England’s newest national trail, Natural England announced.
The “Wainwright Way” takes walkers 190 miles from St Bees Head on the coast of the Irish Sea, travels through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors national parks and ends in Robin Hood’s Bay overlooking the North Sea.
A £5.5 million investment has brought the route up to national trail standard, bringing in improved signage, better surfacing and opportunities for cyclists and horse riders on suitable parts of the route, officials said.
Natural England also said the hugely popular route, first imagined by Wainwright in 1973 and described by the fell walker as having a “pageant of colourful scenery”, will also receive annual funding for maintenance to secure its long-term future.
Wainwright, best known for his pictorial guides to walks around the Lake District, said of the route: “The countryside is beautiful almost everywhere, yet extremely varied in character, with mountains and hills, valleys and rivers, heather moors and sea-cliffs combining in a pageant of colourful scenery.”
More than 6,000 people complete the full coast to coast route every year, with thousands more undertaking shorter sections, supporting local food and hospitality businesses and services such as luggage transport.
It has now become the newest of England’s 17 national trails – long-distance walking routes through some of the country’s most treasured landscapes.
Natural England said it worked with partners to upgrade the path to national trail standard, which has involved dealing with the challenges of climate change – including recovery work on the North York Moors after significant wildfires last year.
The government nature agency has also worked with partners in the Lake District to create an accessible lakeside route around Ennerdale Water and with initiatives such as “fix the fells” to repair upland paths damaged by erosion.
And 5km of new flagstone path has been laid to help walkers on one of the most remote and challenging stretches – the upland peatbog landscape of Nine Standards Rigg and White Mossy Hill near Kirkby Stephen.
Natural England chief executive Marian Spain said: “The Coast to Coast Path National Trail 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 50 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.”
Access minister Baroness Hayman said: “The Coast to Coast gives the public the opportunity to explore some of our country’s most beautiful scenery.
“National trail status will help give even more people the chance to experience the remarkable places along its route, with improved accessibility and restored paths.”
The trail’s official launch is being celebrated at an event in Reeth in North Yorkshire with the unveiling of a new stone marker, which will be permanently installed at Keld to mark the point when walkers are halfway between the Irish Sea and the North Sea.