Whitehaven
- Mungrisedale
The Sea to Sea cycle route starts in Whitehaven, a pleasant sea
port with an attractive town. For the first 10 miles the
route follows the Whitehaven to Ennerdale Railway Path, a
well surfaced traffic-free trail. The route then climbs fellsides,
follows lake shores and goes through Winlatter Forest Park
onto Keswick, passing through some of Britain's most beautiful
scenery.
On leaving Keswick we ride along the delightful Keswick
to Threlkeld rail trail, deep in the gorge of the river Greta.
From Threlkeld the route skirts the slopes of Blencathra,
one of Cumbria's most distinctive mountains, en route for
the hamlet of Mungrisedale.
Mungrisedale - Alston
From here the route continues on cycle
paths and lanes through the fringes of the Lake District
to the market town of Penrith. (There is an alternative off
road route across the Old Coach Road over Threlkeld Common,
but this is not suitable for heavily laden bikes).
This section is the most mountainous of the entire route,
with a long climb up Hartside Pass into the North Pennines
known as England's Last Wilderness. This is a huge, wild,
upland area characterised by open moorlands with plenty of
wildlife, taking you to Alston, tonight's accommodation.
Alston - Castleside
Starting with a climb up Black Hill, the highest point
on the Sea to Sea route, then onto the old mining village of Allenheads. This section marks the end of the rough, hilly terrain of
the Northern Pennines and the start of the industrial landscape
of the north east. Although most of the route between Allenheads
and Castleside is on lanes, the traffic is relatively light
allowing you to enjoy the wild grandeur of the moorlands.
Castleside - Tynemouth
Between Castleside and Newcastle the route travels mainly
on cycle paths alongside the river Tyne into Newcastle upon
Tyne and onto your final destination north pier, Tynemouth, where this ride finishes.
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