Ravenglass - Maryport
The ride starts in the small port of Ravenglass, home of the Glannavanta Roman Bath House. It then follows the coastline through the old industrial coastal towns of Whitehaven, Workington and onto Maryport, today's destination.
Maryport - Bowness-on-Solway
Admiring the views of the Lake District fells to the north, your ride continues to Silloth. Here the route meets the Solway Coast, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it then takes you through some fantastic coastal scenery to Bowness-on-Solway, at the mouth of the Solway Firth estuary.
Bowness-on-Solway - Banks
From here you will then head inland towards the historic city of Carlisle with its castle and cathedral. Afterwhich you cycle alongside rivers and quiet country lanes, through woodland and past places of interest such as Lanercost Priory and onto Banks.
Banks - Corbridge
Heading towards Haltwhistle, you will pass Birdoswald Roman Fort, Walltown Crags and Roman Army Museum, before descending into Haltwhistle itself. On leaving here you will cycle past Twice Brewed where nearby is Vindolanda, an excavated Roman fort and museum, which is definitely worth a visit. Much of the old wall exists between Haltwhistle and Corbridge and it is certainly worth taking your time to look along some of the most spectacular sections of the wall.
Corbridge - Tynemouth
The route then continues pleasantly through the picturesque and wild countryside of the Northumberland National Park which offers views of the North Pennines area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You then follow the river Tyne onto Tynemouth, today's destination, and the end of Hadrian's Wall.
Tynemouth - Castleside
Today you will start riding the Sea to Sea and between Tynemouth and Castleside the route travels mainly on cycle paths alongside the river Tyne.
Castleside - Alston
From Castleside to Allenheads most of the route is on lanes, with light traffic, allowing you to enjoy the wild grandeur of the moorlands. You will ride through Allenheads which is a delightful old mining village and from here you will ride over Black Hill, the highest point on the Sea to Sea route before arriving at Alston.
Alston - Langwathby
Continuing on with your ride you will pass over the North Pennines known as "England's last wilderness." This is a huge upland area with open moorland and wildlife, it's then onto Langwathby for tonight's rest.
Langwathby - Keswick
Riding through the market town of Penrith you will continue onto Keswick, a popular town for today's destination.
Keswick - Whitehaven
From Keswick you will climb through Whinlatter Forest Park and enjoy some beautiful scenery. You will then join the Ennerdale railway path, a well surfaced traffic-free trail which takes you to Whitehaven, a pleasant sea port and the end of the Sea to Sea cycle route. |
