Coast to Coast Whitehaven to Tynemouth
This is the complete C2C National Cycle route crossing the country from east to west along a number of cycle tracks/paths and minor roads. You will see some spectacular scenery as you pass through the Cumbrian Lake District and Northumberland before the last leg through County Durham and the finish point at Tynemouth Pier on the east coast of England. See the Whitehaven to Sunderland page for the other C2C section.
Click here for a comprehensive guide to this popular route.
Scroll down for a route video and the full gpx file.
Coast to Coast Whitehaven to Tynemouth Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Coast to Coast Whitehaven to Tynemouth Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Coast to Coast Whitehaven to Tynemouth OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Coast to Coast Whitehaven to Tynemouth Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Hive at Nenthead is a nice place for a pit stop. The cafe has been converted from an ancient Wesleyan Chapel with a magnificent organ and period features. There's also a fine art gallery, musical performances and a gift shop. The food is varied and of a good quality with mostly locally source ingredients. Hearty scones and cake are available as fuel for walkers and cyclists. After a bite you could stroll down to the Nenthead Mining Centre and explore the old mines and reservoirs.
In Allenheads there's the Allenheads Inn which dates back to 1770 and serves good hearty food. There's a good sized car park and a bike lock up as well. It's a popular stopping off point for cyclists on the C2C route.
You can also stroll around the village and view the old ruined mining buildings and visit the interesting heritage centre.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Reivers Route also crosses the country from Whitehaven to Tynemouth. It uses an alternative trail running mostly along National Cycle Route 10. It's a good one to do if you are looking for a different return route.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
C2C finishing post Tynemouth, end of the northern branch of the C2C cycle route (Workington/Whitehaven to Sunderland/Tynemouth). Also the start point for the Coast & Castles route to Edinburgh
C2C summit. At 609 metres above sea level, the Cumbria/Northumberland border near Nenthead is the highest point on the C2C (sea-to-sea) national cycle route. There is a mining heritage centre near here where you can learn all about the interesting industrial history of the area.
Another boundary, another summit. Heading east on the C2C national cycle route, the boundary between Northumberland and County Durham is the 4th major summit on the route. One more summit after this, then it's downhill to the North Sea!
Hartside viewpoint. On the A686 between Penrith and Alston, and the first of several summits heading east on the C2C national cycle route
Terris Novalis stainless steel sculpture of a theodolite alongside the C2C trail The C2C trail between Whitehaven and Sunderland. From SusTerris Novalis by Tony Cragg.
This work consists of two measuring instruments; a theodolite and an engineer's level, faithfully reproduced an incredible twenty times life size, standing approximately six metres tall. Made from stainless steel and supported on animal feet, this awe inspiring work is visible for many miles and stands as a monument to the history of the area and a prominent mile marker for the C2C cycle route.
Cycle down hill all the way to Whitehaven! This is an entrance to the cycletrack that follows the disused railway all the way down to Whitehaven and forms part of the C2C.
Allenheads Heritage Centre seen from the Allenheads Inn. The low building just beyond the black car houses the Armstrong Water Engine, part of the equipment used in conjunction with the mining industry which flourished here in th4e 19th century. Allenheads is an important staging point on the C2C cycle route. With a length of 225 Km, the C2C (Coast to Coast) cycleway (National Cycle Network route 7) is Britain's best known cycle touring route and is completed by tens of thousands of cyclists every year. The Allenheads Inn is a major watering hole on the route. The planter in the bicycle basket is an appropriate accoutrement.
Sea-to-Sea route marker, Whitehaven. A view looking northwest to the marker post for the start (or end) of the Sustrans Sea-to-Sea (c2c) cycle route at the Waterfront, Whitehaven, with the Wave, and the Crowsnest, on Lime Tongue in the background. It is traditional for cyclists (and walkers) to dip their boots in the water here before setting off on the crossing to Sunderland.
Elevation Profile
