"Walking England Coast to Coast" Yorkshire Dales National Park Travelogue by edgarhee

Our coast to coast walk started from St. Bees after the traditional toe dip in the Irish Sea. We reached St. Bees by train from London via Carlsie the day before, Monday 08 May.

Day one took us from the Irish Sea, over Dent Hill to Ennerdale Bridge, 14 miles (22.5 km), not as the crow flies.

Ascending Loft Beck

Past the shores of Ennerdale Waters, over Loft Beck and down to Rosthwaite in the Borrowdale Valley and the Lake District. 14.5 miles (23 km) and a hill climb.

Helms Craig

Departing the Borrowdale Valley, we ascended Greenup Gill to Greenup Edge. We took the high route to Grasmere, wallking the ridge from craig to craig - Calf Craig to Helms Craig. Then the quick descent to cute village of Grasmere. (A short day, only 9 miles/14.5 km)

White Lion, Patterdale

Another short day - 8.5 miles (13.5 km) if you don't walk the alternative route over Striding Edge. Unlike the next day, today was clear and Striding Edge called. Today's walk ascending the Great Tongue, walked the shores of Grisdale Tarn, climbed Dollywaggon Pike and Helvellyn. Helvellyn is England's third tallest peak (950 meters above sea level). The descent of Helvellyn is a scramble down to Striding Edge then the long downhill walk to Patterdale.

I celibrated the successful ascent (I survived) of Helvellyn and descent of Striding Edge with a pint (or two) at the White Lion with our walking companions.

White Lion - Karen, Frank, Angela, Andy and Frank

The unexpected bonus of walking England coast to coast is the peole we met. We tramped and teckked with folks form England, Australia, New Zeland, Holland, and even a bunch of folks from the States.

Satura Craig before the strom

Our last day in the Lake District was a wet day. 11 miles/17.5 km over Kidsty Pike in the mist, drizzle and wind. Past Angle Tarn, Satura Craig, The Knot, Kidsty Pike, Kidsty Howes then the long walk along shore of Haweswater to Burnbank.