(Danby Wiske to Robin Hood's Bay)

(Anna-Maria and Chris write:) The last part of the Coast to Coast walk crossing the North York Moors is perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of the route, especially in September when the heather is still in flower. While the Lake District section is filled with some of the more rugged parts of the Lakeland hills and parts of the Lake District that are not always seen by the casual visitor this final section of the route leaves the tired walker with some beautiful final memories.

Our review of the Danby Wiske to Robin Hood’s Bay stretch began ominously with the tail end of the hurricane passing over the UK. We experienced strong winds even while we were still on the flat plain before Osmotherley and Anna was often struggling to keep her feet on the ground once we made it up onto the more exposed moor tops! Evidence of the damage caused by the high winds could be seen in many of the woods and villages across the route. The hurricane marked a clear start to autumn too, with a noticeable drop in temperature over the course of the week and reports from the transfer company that they were having to scrape morning ice off the windscreens by the end of the week.

There was plenty of wildlife around. Sightings included a grass snake, squirrels in the woods and a few butterflies that were somehow managing to brave the winds. There was also plenty of elusive wildlife heard but not seen. A buzzard was marking his ownership of the East Arnecliff Wood and, in the early evening, we could hear both barn and tawny owls.

Despite the lateness in the year there were still plenty of walkers traversing the country on the Coast to Coast route. A few were taking it in long stages to cover the distance in only 10-12 days but most were taking a more manageable and leisurely approach of about 15 days. While the route does offer opportunities to get through it in fewer days the resultant big stages are best spaced out as they can take their toll on the soles of a walker’s feet. Having reviewed the route in longer stages last winter with several of those long stages consecutive for the 2011 walking season we would certainly recommend spacing them out more!

Coast to Coast - join us!