Cycle the Coast to Coast (C2C) and experience 220km (137 miles) of exhilarating riding across the north of England — from the Cumbrian coast to the North Sea. Starting in Whitehaven or Workington and finishing in Tynemouth or Sunderland, this iconic Sustrans route crosses the Lake District, climbs the North Pennines and rolls through County Durham. Challenging and rewarding in equal measure, the C2C is typically completed in three days.

This trusted Cicerone guidebook gives you everything you need to ride the C2C with confidence. It combines clear, stage-by-stage route descriptions with practical planning advice, helping you prepare thoroughly and enjoy every mile once you're in the saddle.

• The C2C is presented as a 3-day itinerary with daily stages of 64–84km (40–52 miles), making it manageable for most cyclists, with alternative itineraries also provided for those wanting a more leisurely or more challenging schedule
• Each stage features clear route descriptions supported by 1:100,000 mapping, guiding you through key towns and villages including Keswick, Penrith, Alston and Allenheads as you cross from coast to coast
• Downloadable GPX files enable easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps, so you can focus on the famous climbs over Whinlatter, Hartside Top and Black Hill without worrying about navigation
• A trek planner provides detailed information about accommodation, refreshments and facilities along the route, alongside a comprehensive accommodation appendix and a list of bike shops and useful contacts
• Practical planning chapters cover everything from choosing the right bike and what to wear, to carrying your gear and getting to the start — with guidance on unsurfaced off-road options for those wanting a more adventurous ride

Together, the detailed stage descriptions, 1:100,000 maps, GPX downloads and comprehensive planning information provide a complete, all-in-one guide for England's most popular long-distance cycle route. Ride the iconic Coast to Coast from end to end. 

The Coast to Coast Cycle Route - Quick Facts

Route: Coast to Coast (C2C) Cycle Route 
Start: Whitehaven or Workington, Cumbria 
Finish: Tynemouth or Sunderland, Tyne and Wear 
Total distance: 220km (137 miles) 
Itinerary: 3-day, with daily stages of 64–84km (40–52 miles) 
Alternative itineraries: More leisurely and more challenging options provided 
Stage breakdown: Day 1 Whitehaven/Workington to Greystoke; Day 2 Greystoke to Allenheads; Day 3 Allenheads to Tynemouth/Sunderland 
Key towns and villages: Keswick, Greystoke, Penrith, Renwick, Garrigill, Nenthead, Allenheads, Alston, Consett, Gateshead 
Notable climbs: Whinlatter Pass, Hartside Top, Black Hill 
Areas crossed: Lake District National Park, North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, County Durham 
Bike types: Suitable for all bikes; unsurfaced off-road options described 
Mapping: 1:100,000 maps included for each stage 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Best season: April to October; possible year-round

Author Highlight

“Arcing its way from Irish Sea to North Sea across an absorbing and beautiful swathe of northern England, the 139-mile Sea to Sea Cycle Route (or ‘C2C’) is an essential rite of passage for cycle enthusiasts. Comfortably Britain’s most popular cycling challenge, since its inception in 1994 it has proved to be the mother of Sustrans’ ever-burgeoning family of tours.” 

- Rachel Crolla, one of the authors of The Coast to Coast Cycle Route

Map key

Overview map and profile

Route summary tables

Introduction

Why choose the C2C?

How tough is the ride?

How many days?

Where to start and where to end

West to east or east to west?

What kind of bicycle?

Unsurfaced off-road options

Getting there and back

Where to stay

Before setting off on your bike

Equipment

Carrying your gear

What to wear

Maps and apps

Signage

Using this guide

The C2C

Day 1 Whitehaven to Greystoke

Day 1A Workington to Greystoke

Day 2 Greystoke to Allenheads

Day 3 Allenheads to Tynemouth

Day 3A Allenheads to Sunderland

Appendix A Accommodation

Appendix B Bike shops and other useful contacts

Seasons

Best from April to October, but possible out of season.

Centres

Whitehaven, Workington, Loweswater, Lorton, Keswick, Threlkeld, Mungrisdale, Greystoke, Penrith, Renwick, Garrigill, Nenthead, Allenheads, Rookhope, Consett, Sunderland, Gateshead, Tynemouth. Alston on an alternative route.

Difficulty

The C2C is a challenging and rewarding ride with plenty of ups and downs - particularly in the route's outstanding middle section - that is nonetheless well within the capabilities of most cyclists. A 3-day itinerary will be the perfect trip for many regular road cyclists riding around 45 miles per day. A number of alternative off-road options are included, while both more leisurely and more challenging itineraries are also described.

Must See

The original and classic C2C route from Whitehaven or Workington to Tynemouth or Sunderland. Crosses the Lake District National Park and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Includes famous rewarding climbs over Whinlatter, Hartside Top and Black Hill.

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