Coast to Coast walk (part 2)
Restarting in Keld and finishing in Robin Hoods Bay
Friday 29th June 2007 - Day 9; From Keld AW’s C2C takes us over the godforsaken Melbeck Moor but as Den, Bill and I have done this b4 I suggest we take the scenic [with pub for lunch] route along the Swale to Surrender Bridge and then pick up AW’s C2C. This takes us along to Reeth and then on to Grinton.
Saturday - Day 10; This is a pleasant walk mostly crossing farmlands with a bit of quiet lane walking. Then we have to negotiate Richmond centre with all it’s distractions [shops and pubs] to resume pleasant pasture lane walking to Catterick Bridge.
Sunday - Day 11; What can I say, it’s FLAT, not sure if we cross a contour. Pretty much all day you can see the Cleveland Hills and our destination off in the distance. Can’t get excited except with the prospect of an excellent pub at the end and the start of some great walking the next day.
Monday - Day 12; Cross the A172 and start going up through the wood to join the Cleveland Way. Today is all up and down with one of my favourite pubs along the way. If we are using the “lift from Clay Bank” option it will be the mileage and height gain/loss will be significantly less, allowing more “lunch” time but be mindful of the Wainstones
Tuesday - Day 13 If we don’t use the “lift” option it is out of the door and up, up, up to Round Hill beyond Clay Bank. If we do use the “lift” then mileage and height gain/loss will be significantly reduced. Then it is flat walking across the moors on tracks and the old mineral railway to Blakey Ridge. Not particularly exciting but on a good day some good views over the moors.
Wednesday - Day 14 ; This day starts off with easy walking, with good moorland views until we turn into Glaisdale. This eventually takes us down into what I call the Eastern Dales and into greenery again. The odd shop and pub in Glaisdale offer lunch options. We then take a woodland walk to appear at Egton Bridge, another pub, and then along an easy old toll road into Grosmont.
Thursday - Day 15; It is quite a long walk today starting with a long, long paved walk uphill then across to the A169 to drop into Littlebeck. We then follow the beck through the woods past Falling Foss then it’s fairly easy walking, sometimes on lanes until we get to the coast. There is then a clifftop walk, which eventually brings us into Robin Hood’s Bay for a plodge and then a beer in the AW bar. The bad news is we then have to get back up out of the bay to get the coach.
If you want to see more background about the walk then look at
Route: day9, Friday
Summary - Keld to Grinton
Bridge hotel Grinton
Route Distance: 12.6 Mi | Estimated Time: 5:30 | Actual time 6.10 |
Total Ascent: 1675 ft | Total Descent: 2152 ft | Actual distance 14.2 miles |
Elevation Profile
Overview Map
Days Log ...a good start with a bacon butty and coffee at Keld. This gave a chance for the rain to pass and was the last rain we seen for the day. After leaving the cafe at 10 we made Muker and the Farmers Arms by 11.05 and the first beer of the tour. with 2.7 miles under our belt we were of to the 6 mile mile marker and another beer at the Kings Arms at Gunnerside.
We then slogged on for reeth at the 13 miles and could not resist another pint at Reeth.Finally arriving at The Bridge Grindon for ^am for 6pm and a good spot for our first night. The change of route along the swale was well worthwhile, and provided an alternative to Melbeck moor.
The day was off to a good start |
11am and the first pub |
12 and the second pub |
views by the bucketful |
3 wise monkeys |
action shot |
Route: day10, Saturday
Summary - Grinton to Catterick Bridge
Route Distance: 13.9 Mi | Estimated Time: 5:59 | Actual distance 15.9 Mi |
Total Ascent: 1642 ft | Total Descent: 2016 ft | Actual Time 5.45 |
Elevation Profile
Overview Map
Days Log ... a bad start when the packed lunch had no fruit and a glass bottle of water. A damp day but not as bad as expected diverted to Willance Leap, some story from 1609 about a man and a horse.
Managed to find pub in Richmond. Our luck was in it poured down while we where in the pub. Please to see the hotel just after crossing the A1 and situated right next to Catterick racecourse.
3 generations completing the walk |
Willances leap ..Johninsisted on a diversion |
The last vaux pub in the world |
Last cigar before the smoking ban |
Route: day11,Sunday
Summary - Catterick Bridge to Ingleby Cross
Route Distance: 17.8 Mi | Estimated Time: 6:52 | Actual distance 18.1Mi |
Total Ascent: 549 ft | Total Descent: 477 ft | Actual time 6.10 |
Elevation Profile
Overview Map
Days Log ...Well what a day, after John slept in we were a little late in leaving and with 18 miles ahead it was to be a Holdie route march to ensure he was late for his first pint of the evening. Heavy rain (thankfully during the night) had raised the river Swales water level by about 2 foot. The day was as described by Wainwright as very boring and flat. The paths acrooss the fields were muddy. The weather presented us with a complete mixed bag. Heavy rain waterproffs on sunshine , waterprooofs off all very well exept it happened several times and some of the rain was torrential (heavy). Lunch was very nice sunshine and a beer with our packed lunch in Danby Wiske, John was quick to ensure the pace continued and wealded the rod on many occasions explaining that vital beer time was being sacrificed.
Arrived at Blue Bell Ingleby cross by 5.20 pm only to find the bar closed till seven. Billy was starting to pay the price for new boots and the fact he had never completed 18 miles before. Happy to lie on the bed till beer could be found.
One little frog |
Den bumped into Nelson |
railway crossing |
more puddles |
Route: day12,Monday
Summary - Ingleby Cross to Great Broughton
Route Distance: 14 Mi | Estimated Time: 5:42 | Actual Distance 15.2 Mi |
Total Ascent: 2455 ft | Total Descent: 2423 ft | Actual Time 7 Hours |
Elevation Profile
Overview Map
Days Log ... An early 9am start was just in time for the rain, which thankfully lasted less than an hour. This was to be a better day all round, a return to some ups and beter scenery. Lunch at the Lordstones cafe and John Smiths for £1 a pint was a well earned bonus on the day.
The only negative is a 2.7miles walk on the road to reach Great Broughton. this was the only night that we would not be staying in a pub, this was compensated by a lovely BandB in the village.
John on the top |
Top of Wainstones |
Route: day13,Tuesday
Summary - Great Broughton to Blakey Ridge
Route Distance: 9.5 Mi | Estimated Time: 4.18 | in pub by 1pm |
Total Ascent: 2377 ft | Total Descent: 1388 ft |
Elevation Profile
Overview Map
Days Log ... sadly The author was to miss this day because of funeral arrangements and the need to return home for the day.
It would also coinside the easiet of the days walks . rumor was that the party would take a lift to the top of clay bank, before starting an easy 9 miler to the Lion Inn. By the time I arrived at 7pm thanks to a lift from Mike the squad was well sorted Den in bed and John still at the bar.
my journey was by road today |
the four became five for a night |
Route: day14,Wednesday
Summary - Blakey ridge to Grosmont
Route Distance: 13.3 Mi | Estimated Time: 5:16 | actual distance 13.7 Mi |
Total Ascent: 683 ft | Total Descent: 1832 ft |
Elevation Profile
Overview Map
Days Log ...a day with no rain what a suprise a nice start with a walk over the moors to Glaisdale and a lunchtime pint. some proper walkers past without stopping. Our downside of the day lay ahead when a slight diversion to Egton Bridge proved to a disapointment when the bar was closed.
Fat betty boundary stone |
another day another pub |
some managed to walk past the pub |
Grosmont is a pretty spot |
Beggar's bridge |
stations of the cross in outside wall of church at Egton Bridge |
Route: day15,Thursday (The Last)
Summary - Grosmont to St Bees (Last night at Kirby Steven)
Route Distance: 14.9 Mi | Estimated Time: 6:40 | actaul distance 15.3 Mi |
Total Ascent: 2261 ft | Total Descent: 2399 ft | actual time 5.30 |
Elevation Profile
Overview Map
last Days Log ..a early start was required to complete our goal. The packhorse bus leaves robin Hoods Bay at 3.30pm and we had 15 mile to do plus the height. A start by 8.30am would beat all records. Sadly today would be the first time we had walked past a pub.
Arriving in RHB at 2.30pm was a good walk, however the signs were showing on peoples faces. A walk into the water was required to complete the walk, as was 2pints in Wainrights bar along with the book signing, before the bus arrived to take us back to Kirkby steven.
one steep hill after breakfast |
all at the finishing line .. Jim pleased to get his feet wet |
Den and jim sign the C2C I have done it book |
Many people you meet along the way (names please) |