Our trip officially begins after breakfast in the border city of Carlisle, when we meet to review the day’s activities. Our adventure starts with a walk along Hadrian’s Wall including the famed “Sycamore Gap”. The visible remains of the wall bear witness to all parts of its 1,800-year history. On transferring to St Bees, we visit St Bees Priory dating from the 7^th century. Overnight in St Bees. L/D

After the ceremonial dipping of our boots into the Irish Sea we ascend the 300 feet high cliffs - nature reserves and important breeding sites for nesting seabirds. Heading inland, we end today’s hike at a pub to celebrate our first day on the C2C. Overnight in Ennerdale. B/L/D

Following the shoreline of Ennerdale Water, the westernmost lake in the Lake District, through Ennerdale Forest, we have our lunch break at Black Sail Hostel, a former shepherds hut. The Lake District is the UK’s first national park to attain the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Next we climb a strenuous 1,000 feet up Loft Beck, dominated by the magnificent mountain scenery of Pillar, Great Gable and the rugged Haystacks, the resting place for Wainwright’s ashes. The path leads down to Honister Quarry, one of the oldest slate mines still operating. Overnight in Borrowdale. B/L/D

An old packhorse route following the course of the River Derwent and dominated by Eagle Crag, takes us to the rough, steep climb to Greenup Edge and onto open moorland. Pending fine weather, our route might follow a broad ridge to Helm Crag, a stunning array of pinnacles and tilted rock slabs. Or we might descend to the shelter of Easdale Gill and continue into the historic village of Grasmere. We lodge in Grasmere for two nights. B/L/D

Today is an opportunity to explore Grasmere which takes its name from the adjacent lake and has associations with the Lake Poets. In the 1770’s William Wordsworth lived here for 14 years and described it as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”. Consider visiting Dove Cottage and the adjacent Wordsworth Museum and the churchyard of St Oswald’s where many of the Wordsworth family, including William, are buried. B/L

Our gradual climb out of Grasmere around Great Tongue, summits at Grisedale Pass and then descends to Grisedale Tarn. The steep sided valley set between Helvellyn Peak and St. Sunday Crag takes us to our destination, Glenridding, where we will enjoy dinner before transferring to the market town of Kirkby Stephen where to lodge for two nights. B/L/D

A short taxi ride takes us to Brownber and the start of our hike along the disused railway track traversing the Smardale valley. The lime kilns on Smardale Fell and distinct elegant outline of Smardale Viaduct are visible from our trail across the valley. We continue walking to the old market town of Kirkby Stephen, where we stay the night. B/L/D

From Kirkby Stephen, we pass through the village of Hartley and ascend the fell road to Hartley Fell. A track leads us to the summit of Nine Standards Rigg, at 2,170 feet, it marks the Pennine watershed. Today we leave the Lake District and enter the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We descend to the remote hamlet of Keld for the night. B/L/D

From Keld we cross the River Swale and climb to the ruins of Crackpot Hall, then down to the path alongside the river. The fells show evidence of lead mining dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and earlier. At lunchtime we visit Muker and its fine examples of ancient hay meadows. Our trail ends at Gunnerside where we transfer by private coach to our lodgings in Richmond. B/L/D

After breakfast, an optional guided tour of Richmond town founded in 1071 by the Normans, helps to get us oriented. Richmond has many attractions including Richmond Castle, Easby Abbey and a couple of fine museums. The day is yours to enjoy. B/L

We are now in the North York Moors National Park and follow a section of the Cleveland Way. We begin the day with a rugged, steeply undulating walk past the dramatic Wainstones to Clay Bank Top, where we ascend Carr Ridge and continue eastwards to Round Hill, at 1,489 feet the highest point on the Cleveland Hills. After Urra Moor we join the old ironstone railway at Bloworth Crossing, following the track to the 16th century Lion Inn, standing alone on Blakey Ridge where we stay overnight. B/L/D

Passing Rosedale Head, we see visible scars of the ironstone workings. We cross over Danby Moor and descend to the village of Glaisdale with the 17th century Beggar's Bridge. Along the wooded Esk valley we cross the river at Egton Bridge, and then on to Grosmont where we board the North York Moors Railway's steam-engine-driven train for a 10 mile ride to Whitby. We stay in Whitby for two nights. B/L/D

Passing Whitby Abbey, founded in 657, we hike along the cliff tops overlooking the North Sea and drop into the picturesque village of Robin Hood’s Bay. We will again ceremoniously and triumphantly dip our boots in the North Sea before enjoying a well earned lunch and refreshment in a local pub. Tonight is our farewell dinner. B/L/D

Our trip ends when our private coach delivers us to York train station at about 11 am and we bide our farewells. B