Walking Forum
Main Boards => Long Distance Walks => Topic started by: northdome on 13:22:20, 23/09/19
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Hello,
We are coming to the UK to explore for a few a months and the C2C is our first walk.
We will be starting at the end of September and have a question about the Lake District...we have done quite a bit of research and the common theme is that the sign posts for trails are non-existent on this part of the walk.
We wanted to confirm that this is true so that we prepare correctly.
We are happy to have found this forum and appreciate any advice.
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Welcome from Portsmouth. I've walked the C2C both ways and I can't remember if there was a problem with signposting? I don't remember getting lost or taking any wrong turnings. When I did it I used a Harveys Map. I believe that 'A to Z' also do a good map as well.
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Can't help you with the C2C signage, northdome, but welcome to the forum anyway :)
Where are you from - California?
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Welcome to the forum from a wet Devon.
The lack of signposting is because an official C2C doesn't exist. When it was first mooted by Wainwright, the idea was that walkers found their way from one coast to the other. Over the years "routes" have grown up but you are still at liberty to make your own route. If you look on an Ordnance Survey map you will not find the C2C marked at all so for example, when you get to the first of the Lakes, Ennerdale Water, you are at liberty to follow either the N or S bank. The same philosophy applies right across the Lakes.
That said, you will find signs from time to time indicating the way or, as in the case of crossing the moor S of Kirkby Stephen, directing you on different routes depending on the time of year.
UK mapping is good and, if you are a competent map reader, you should have no difficulty. While a C2C signs may not always exist, paths are often signposted and by and large the route is well trodden, but do not expect waymarking as in many European countries.
Enjoy your visit.
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If you use a GPS I can let you have gpx files that cover the main part of the route and a few diversions to get you started. There are also some good free OSM maps available if you use a Garmin O0
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Thank you for the welcome and the information...
I am from California - northern part of the state...love the long distance hiking, we have been enjoying the walk along the coast of Spain from Blanes to the boarder of France.
We are coming from out of the country and would like to pick up one of the Harvey maps if possible; does anyone know if they can be purchased in St Bees or Lancaster?
We do not travel with smart phones (yep it is true..old school but very peaceful). Prefer the map.
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St Bees is a small place so maybe not, Lancaster is bigger but I'm not even sure if Harveys maps are sold in shops? I'm sure someone else knows. Hopefully, someone who knows Lancaster well can point you to the best shop to go to.
Personally, I would prefer to use an A to Z map, because I'm a colour blind and although I can read my Harvey Map in normal daylight I only see a total blur if I try to read it under any form of indoor lighting or street lighting.
Enjoy the walk, I know I did.
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Thank you for the welcome and the information...
I am from California - northern part of the state...love the long distance hiking, we have been enjoying the walk along the coast of Spain from Blanes to the boarder of France.
We are coming from out of the country and would like to pick up one of the Harvey maps if possible; does anyone know if they can be purchased in St Bees or Lancaster?
We do not travel with smart phones (yep it is true..old school but very peaceful). Prefer the map.
Lancaster - probably. Worth a visit anyway. The station is near the castle - the shops are downhill from there. St Bees - unlikely. Ordnance Survey maps are also good, available in 1:25000 and 1:50000. Try Blacks at 17 New Street for a start for OS, not sure they sell Harvey.
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Thank you Ninthace... Good to know there is a small glimmer of hope that we will find a map in Lancaster.
Your signature is one of significance...happen to have this tattooed on my ankle.
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I forgot there are also 2 branches of Waterstones in Lancaster 4-6 Cornmarket and 2-8 King Street. Should be good for maps and guide books.
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Harveys maps can be bought online. According to harveymaps.co.uk, airmail to Rest of the World is £5.00 per order.
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Harveys maps can be bought online. According to harveymaps.co.uk, airmail to Rest of the World is £5.00 per order.
Harvey guide can be purchased through Waterstones. You could arrange click and collect at one of the branches in Lancaster https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/coast+to+coast+map (https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/coast+to+coast+map)
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Thank you for the welcome and the information...
I am from California - northern part of the state...love the long distance hiking, we have been enjoying the walk along the coast of Spain from Blanes to the boarder of France.
We are coming from out of the country and would like to pick up one of the Harvey maps if possible; does anyone know if they can be purchased in St Bees or Lancaster?
We do not travel with smart phones (yep it is true..old school but very peaceful). Prefer the map.
Your name gave it away...I visited to Northern California a few times on business trips back in the '90s - Petaluma, north of the Golden Gate.
I'm old school too - I love maps; have done since I was a child, and I am not at all tempted to navigate by phone. Good luck with your walk.
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I’d second the recommendation for the A-Z map - it’s a handy little booklet that contains the entire route.
Why not see if you can order it from amazon.co.uk and get it delivered to your accommodation in St Bees? Assuming you are staying in St Bees! I’m sure most B&B owners would have no objection.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coast-Adventure-Atlas-Geographers-Map/dp/178257168X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=a-z+coast+to+coast&qid=1569258769&s=gateway&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coast-Adventure-Atlas-Geographers-Map/dp/178257168X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=a-z+coast+to+coast&qid=1569258769&s=gateway&sr=8-1)
I’ve ordered from amazon.com using my amazon.co.uk account so assume vice versa will work.
If you favour another map amazon will probably sell it.
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One site you might find useful is www.gps-infos.co.uk.
Another is the UK site of Bing Maps, it offers Ordnance Survey maps for free, the home page, top right-hand corner.
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Thanks everyone for the kind advice - we are looking forward to seeing the beauty of the UK.
I ordered a map - ready for the experience.
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Hello again...
Wanted to see which weather site you have found to be most reliable..I am fully aware that weather will do what it wishes and change very quickly but thought I would see which site the forum recommends.
Thank you
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Met Office (https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/) for general overview,
https://www.mwis.org.uk/ (https://www.mwis.org.uk/) for detailed mountain weather.
Edit - wish that I hadn't bothered looking - fog and rain in Kirkwall for the next 3 days :(
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Appreciate the links...thank you.
Sorry about your weather ☹️
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Used to it living up here.
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You should also know that the UK is one of the few countries in the world that has proper weather. Most poor souls have to make do with a climate. That's why we like talking about it - such variety. I did not realise this until an Egyptian I was sharing a laboratory with in Lancaster pointed out that so far that day, it had rained three times, snowed twice and the sun had been out several times too and there it was, 10:30 am already. None of us had really noticed - we just called it February.
See also https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/national-parks-forecasts/lake-district#?tab=nationalParksMap&map=Summits&zoom=10&lon=-3.08&lat=54.48
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Our UK weather, yes. How many other places in the world have a mountain of only 4,400 ft with permanent all year round snow on its summit? Any apart from extreme North and South?
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Hi Northdome and welcome from Liverpool.
I hope you enjoy the C2C. I walked it in May this year and was incredibly lucky with the weather, and, with the exception of the boredom of the Vale of Mowbray part it's a lovely route. I can recommend the Harvey maps, (I got mine from Amazon), though I did plan the route on our OS app, using the Harveys, and then used the phone for on the day navigation - personal preference.
As others have said, the Lake District leg has no signs at all, and the area above Greenup Edge can be difficult to navigate in poor weather - I have directed quite a few of your compatriots over the years up there! Further on there are some areas which use the small "AW" badges on stiles and gates etc, and, as others have said, there are some signs where there are different routes for different seasons.
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As I understand it sign posting in the Lake District is poor because of restrictions by the National Park Authority. Once out of the Lake District signage is pretty good.
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Hi,
I was not intending so much time to pass before I checked back with the forum to let you all know how great our walk was. Forums are such a great resource and we use them often; I always appreciate a circle back from someone who has used the forum for information and tips.
We started in St Bees on Sept. 30th and walked into Robin Hood Bay on Oct 18th - we took our time and enjoyed every minute (almost every minute).
Took two days off along the way to let some weather roll through and also to just enjoy the time in one spot.
People were great, stayed in pubs, YHA's and some B&B's. Loved seeing England on foot and will not forget the experience. Sorry it took me so long to thank you all for the tips and advise.
Cheers!
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Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for letting us know. I'm starting my second one on 5th March, after my first one ended on Day 2. Hoping to complete it this time!
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Facebook 'Coast to Coast walk' is very informative and supportive.
Its a really good question about the signs as a trio from south Korea pulled out in the Lakes after difficulties with finding the right path. They thought it would be like the Camino that they'd done, which is very well signposted. My tip..take special care at Greenup Edge to find the right path.
Oops..just seen that you've done it already. (But don't know how to delete my post.)
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Not sure if that is aimed at me? Personally taking the wrong track at Greenup Edge, which is effectively a cross roads where you go straight on, is far less likely than many other places O0
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Just speaking from experience in bad weather with poor visibility. When five walkers in different groups, had difficulties.
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Well I didn't say it wasn't possible, just that there are other places where going wrong is way more likely.
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Not sure if that is aimed at me? Personally taking the wrong track at Greenup Edge, which is effectively a cross roads where you go straight on, is far less likely than many other places O0
Got lost myself on Greenup Edge due to misty conditions and failing to take a compass bearing at the first saddle.
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I'll try not to do the same then ;)