wild women on top coast to coast

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1 active europe for you 1 GRADE: TRIP COST Joining London 8 9 passengers: $5490 Trip Concludes: London All prices are per person OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS passengers: $4990 Thank you for your interest in the Wild Women On Top Coast to Coast trip. Our Coast to Coast Walk is part of the World Expeditions Group UTracks & Sherpa brand of Active Guided and Self Guided Small Group Holidays in Europe. Founded in 1973, Sherpa Expeditions is specialised in self guided and escorted holidays throughout Europe and across the globe. We offer a wide range of self guided inn to inn walking and cycling tours, escorted walks, as well as Walker s Britain, a pioneering collection of over 20 British walking tours which include the Coast to Coast Trail and Hadrian s Wall. Over many years, our leaders, local representatives and clients have all contributed to the detailed trail notes provided to walkers, making them the definitive guide to the areas we visit, which includes 16 iconic European walking destinations across France, Spain, Italy, Cyprus and much more. Sherpa Expeditions has now joined forces with UTracks < and the World Expeditions Group < to bring you the most exciting and extensive range of active European holidays available. Sherpa Expeditions and UTracks can help you explore Europe exactly the way you want. TRIP NAME: TRIP CODE: TRIP DURATION: WILD WOMEN ON TOP COAST TO COAST WWE 18 DAYS GRADE TEXT: MODERATE TO CHALLENGING 4 ACTIVITY: TREKKING AND ADVENTURE TOURING ACCOMMODATION: 18 DAY TRIP AND 17 NIGHTS HOTELS AND B&B DATE DETAILS: JUN - 22 JUN highlights Across England on Wainwright s Walk Arguably the best long distance walk in England Staying in charming and quintessential English B&B s Walking the breadth of northern England from St Bees to Robin Hood s Bay Appreciate the classic rural countryside of rolling hills and pretty villages of the Yorkshire Dales Dramatic and ever changing scenery of the English Lake District, Pennines and North York Moors Exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Lake District with its majestic lakes, and rugged mountains Taking a refreshing dip in the North Sea to mark the end of your hike across England Trip escorted by your very own Cumbrian Wild Women On Top Coach 2013 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 7/29/ :17:56 PM Page 1

2 the trip Rollup, rollup for Wainwright s masterpiece! This is the quintessential English hill walking and long distance trail experience: 190 plus miles traversing three national parks and a lot of interesting landscapes, old towns and of course public houses in between! It is amazing to think that this most famous of routes, totally eclipsing the Pennine Way in terms of popularity and variety, is still not classified as a National Trail! Starting at the tiny Cumbrian seaside resort of St. Bees on the Irish Sea we head east, with the wind, into the Lake district to pass by some of its most famous lakes and cross some important passes, with options to extend days (with ascents of peaks such as Helvellyn). Then it is on into the Yorkshire Dales and over the mystical Nine Standards Rig, before following the beautiful River Swale for a couple of days into the old market town of Richmond. There follows a marathon section to link up with the North York Moors National Park from where we roller coaster around to the North Sea Coast to make a triumphant entrance into Robins Hoods Bay where a celebratory pint, bottle of Champagne or ice cream whilst standing in the sea is in order. Along the way you will be amazed at the variety of the dry stone walls, the charming little villages and just how much that you get to eat for a full English cooked breakfast! There are cozy small hotels, guesthouses and pubs to stay at on this tour and these, as well as the rich variety of the people that you meet enroute, reflect something of the great diversity of England. This is an exceptional and exciting new itinerary developed with Wild Women On Top. We have included transfers to/from London as well as additional nights accommodation in Keswick and Harrogate where you will be shown some of the local highlights with your very own Cumbrian WWOT Coach. We hope you can join us! wild women on top team benefits Wild Women On Top Team Benefits 2015 When you join a Wild Women On Top trip, you become part of an incredible team, and the success of your adventure will depend on the fitness, mental tuffness and emotional tuffness of EVERY team member. The whole is much greater than the sum of the parts!wild Women On Top Adventures are unique mind, body, spirit experiences, which support you in the wilderness and empower you to take on extraordinary challenges with a group of likeminded women. You will need to prepare for your adventure and we will show you how, every step of the way. BEFORE you book for a Wild Women On Top Trip, please note the following benefits & conditions: 1. Please Join Our Tribe by purchasing an online Lifetime Adventure Membership or by committing to Trek Training sessions (min 3 months Sydney only) so you get our girl power. Go to to join. Note: Bookings will not be honoured until this condition is met. 2. To ensure you get fit fast & remain injury free, you should Trek Train at least three times a week, alternating interval training and endurance training with cross training such as swimming and yoga. Your Coach will also suggest additional trip specific endurance and technical activities. Adventure Members must follow training recommendations from the coach & in How to Prepare for World Class Treks by Di Westaway. 3. To build team spirit & ensure you re really prepared, your Trip Coach may recommend additional team training activities and briefings as required. Please visit to book in to Trek Training and Trip Training. 4. So you have more fun with your team, you will be required to take part in a specialised team trekking assessment. You ll get to meet your team and ensure that you are fabulously prepared for your adventure with great tips and feedback. If you cant attend the assessment, your Coach will supervise a remote assessment to be completed before the team assessment date. If you fail the assessment and a personalised supplementary assessment, you will not be eligible for the trip and will be subject to the costs incurred according to World Expeditions cancellation policy. 5. So that we all have a great adventure, please support the Wild Women On Top Golden Rules (see and take responsibility for providing feedback before and during your adventure. This is your chance to make sure you don t miss out on any happy hormones so don t hold back! Make the most of it Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 7/29/ :17:56 PM Page 2

3 6. All Wild Women On Top trips are accompanied by a Wild Women On Top Coach who supports & unites the group with empowering passion, guidance & tips in wilderness challenges and shares Wild Women On Top Traditions & culture. However the Coach is NOT the guide, navigator or first aider. 7. In some extreme environments, including at high altitude, your Coach may not always be able to meet your expectations. It is your responsibility to seek assistance from the World Expeditions guides as required by you. 8. You must commit to the World Expeditions payment schedule. 9. Wild Women On Top reserves the right to amend these requirements at any time WOMENONTOP.COM 10. Expect the unexpected. We provide wilderness experiences, and **** sometimes happens. Remember, Magic happens when you step outside your comfort zone. We reserve the right to change these Team Benefits at any time. itinerary at a glance Day 1 Friday 5 June - London to Keswick Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 detailed itinerary DAY 1 Saturday 6 June - In Keswick Sunday 7th June - To St Bees Monday 8th June - St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge (6 hours) Tuesday 9th June - Ennerdale Bridge to Borrowdale (7 hours) Wednesday 10th June - Borrowdale to Grasmere (6 hours) Thursday 11th June - Grasmere to Patterdale (5.5 hours or 7.5 hours) Friday 12th June - Patterdale to Shap (9 hours) Saturday 13th June - Shap to Kirkby Stephen (8 hours) Sunday 14th June - Kirkby Stephen to Keld (6 hours) Monday 15th June - Keld to Reeth (5 hours) Tuesday 16th June - Reeth to Richmond (5 hours0 Wednesday 17th June - Richmond to Osmotherley (9 hours) Thursday 18th June - Osmotherley to Blakey (8-9 hours) Friday 19th June - Blakey to Egton Bridge or Grosmont (4 hours) Saturday 20th June - Egton Bridge to Robin Hood Bay (7 hours) Sunday 21st June - To Harrogate Monday 22nd June - Transfer to London. Trip concludes Friday 5 June - London to Keswick This morning you will be picked up from your hotel in London (pick up hotel to be advised) and transferred by private coach to Keswick, a picturesque town situated in the Lakes District in Cumbria. En-route, and time permitting we will break our journey with a ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway (pay direct). An incredibly picturesque short train ride through the Lakes District National Park - Drive time approximately 6-7 hours. Overnight Keswick. meals: NIL 2013 Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Kate Harper 7/29/ :17:56 PM Page 3

4 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 Saturday 6 June - In Keswick This morning you will be transferred to the Honister Slate Mine. In in 2007, local entrepreneur Mark Weir, introduced the Honister Via Ferratas - the very first in the UK. Using the original Miners track up the precipitous outer incline of Fleetwith Pike, the addition of a continuous cable made climbing this magnificent Lake District Mountain achievable and safe for everyone. A group booking will be made for the Honister Pass Extreme - (to be paid direct,not included in trip price). After this exciting and exhilarating experience, you will return to Keswick where you will have the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight Keswick. Sunday 7th June - To St Bees Travel to starting point on the edge of the Irish Sea with views across to the Isle of Man. You should have time to visit the Abbey church, which has features on the local history and has a display on a mummified knight that was discovered in a lead coffin from the graveyard. If time permits, you can follow the coastal path or quiet inland roads to the attractive town of Whitehaven, with its marina and great museum. It is famous in the annals of the US navy as the site of an elaborate raid on the British mainland by one John Paul Jones during the American War of Independence. Monday 8th June - St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge (6 hours) Climb from the beach taking a footpath along red sandstone coastal cliffs of St Bees Head with England s only breeding colony of Black Guillimots, then inland over hilly ground to the edge of the Lake District National Park. Dent Hill is the first real fell that we cross and will give you some indication as to whether you are fit enough for the pursuivant days! Although short, there follows possibly the steepest descent of the whole tour down to Nanny catch Gate and beck a delightful stroll along which brings us to the final descent to leafy Ennerdale Bridge. ( 23.5km, 6 hours). The day s total ascent 780 metres / descent 665m). Tuesday 9th June - Ennerdale Bridge to Borrowdale (7 hours) A quiet and scenic footpath along the shore of Ennerdale Water, with a bit of an easy scramble under Angler s Crag at Robin Hood s Seat. A long walk on a forest track then continues to Black Sail Hut, which is the smallest Youth hostel and originally a shepherd s hut. A steep climb follows up the Lowther Beck before traversing some of the Lake land fells, perhaps with views down to Buttermere. Finally we reach the drum house which marks the descent path to the Honister slate mine workings with its useful cafe to Borrowdale; perhaps the most delightful valley in the Lakes with its crags and broadleaved trees. This is a delightful ensemble of hamlets, Seatoller (the wettest place in England), Longthwaite, Rossthwaite and Stonethwaite. Delightful riverside paths connect the places and their pubs, together if you have sufficient energy left of an evening. You might be interested to know that thwaite is old Norse for paddock. ( 26.5 km, 7 hours). The day s total ascent 765m / descent 785m). Wednesday 10th June - Borrowdale to Grasmere (6 hours) Classic Lakeland scenery over Greenup Edge to Easedale and Grasmere Hopefully you will have enough time to visit the Wordsworth Museum at Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth s grave at the church and the famous Ginger bread shop! (13.5 km, 5 hours. Via Helm Crag recommended). The day s total ascent 750m / descent 760 via Helm Crag). Page 4

5 DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9 DAY 10 DAY 11 Thursday 11th June - Grasmere to Patterdale (5.5 hours or 7.5 hours) Over Grisedale Pass (2000 ft) and around the small mountain lake of Grisedale Tarn to Patterdale In good weather if you are reasonably strong, the best option is to take the route up St. Sunday Crag, for some exceptional views down across Ullswater as you descend to Patterdale, possibly the most breathtaking of the trip ( 12 km, 5 hours (standard route). Add 2 hours if include detour via Summit of Helvellyn. Add 1 ½ hours for detour of St. Sunday Crag. The day s total ascent: 900m / descent 805m via the recommended route over St. Sunday Crag). Friday 12th June - Patterdale to Shap (9 hours) Some would say this was the most difficult stage especially in bad weather. The day starts with a steep climb up past pretty Angle Tarn, and then up and onwards to a critical cairn where you turn off the route to High Street to go up and over Kidsty Pike (2560 feet, the highest point on the whole route) and then descend steeply to walk along Haweswater, a huge body of water conceived in 1929 to supply Manchester with drinking water, drowning a couple of villages in the process. You then undulate through fields to Shap Abbey, the most easterly point of the Lake District National Park. This was the last Abbey to be founded in England in 1199 and the last to be destroyed in It nevertheless is a pretty place to pause with some new interpretation signs. After this continue into Shap, the old granite mining town with several pubs and shops. (26 km, 7-9 hours. The day s total ascent 1174m / descent 1009m). Saturday 13th June - Shap to Kirkby Stephen (8 hours) There follows a hilly section across Limestone Moors with limestone pavements in places strewn with erratic boulders moved there by glaciers. Finally we drop into the gentler climes around Orton, a diversion of about a mile can be made to this quaint picturesque village with Kennedy s Chocolate factory to lead you into temptation. Walking now between Cumbria and The Yorkshire Dales, there is a lot of attractive farmland to cross with a section of moors around Sunbiggin Tarn, which is an important site for birds. A steep descent to the Scandal Beck at Smardale Bridge makes for a nice late lunch stop. Then ascend over Smardale Fell for the pretty descent into Kirkby Stephens and attractive market town, with St. Hedda s Church containing the 8th Century Loki stone relating to Norse Mythology (33 km 8 hours. The day s total ascent 808m / descent 950 m). Sunday 14th June - Kirkby Stephen to Keld (6 hours) Climb out of town to the cairns of Nine Standards Rigg (661m / 2170 feet) with its array of obelisks. This is an ancient possibly boundary feature that no one has any real knowledge of. It marks the Watershed of England. Next we cross squelchy moors down to Keld in Swaledale If it is a wet and cold day you might relish a scone and tea made on the farm at Ravenseat, where they breed prime rams. The moors then become increasingly gentler as you walk into Keld with its many waterfalls and old stone barns. (24 km, 6 hours to Keld). The day s total ascent 780m / descent 575m to Keld). Monday 15th June - Keld to Reeth (5 hours) Wild moorland with long-abandoned lead mines, a magnet for the industrial archaeologist ( 20 km, 5 hours). There is also a pretty lower alternative route via Swaledale if you have bad weather or even if you don t! There is a really nice pub in Gunnerside on this lower option. (18.5km, 5 hours). We end up in Reeth an attractive Green Village which flourished at the height of the mining age and today does well out of tourism, hence a collection of pubs and tea shops. The day s total ascent 838m / descent 911m via the higher route. Page 5

6 DAY 12 DAY 13 DAY 14 DAY 15 Tuesday 16th June - Reeth to Richmond (5 hours0 A morning walk through pretty Swaledale lined with limestone crags on either side, allowing time in Richmond for shopping (note most shops closed Sunday) and sightseeing in Richmond whose Norman Keep towers above the Swale on one side and the ancient cobbled market square on the other. You can also follow the swale to Town Falls, which are quite impressive when the river is in spate. (20 km, 5 hours. The days total ascent 395m / descent 510m). Wednesday 17th June - Richmond to Osmotherley (9 hours) This is the longest and flattest day of the tour, bridging the gap between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors National Parks. A gentle rural day, walking out from Richmond beside the River Swale and across the fields to Catterick Race Course, then threading our way to Brompton on Swale, before trundling along beside tiny streams and quiet country roads reaching the village of Danby Wiske with its Green and sole pub at 22.5km, 5hrs. From Danby it is primarily a road walk although there are crosscountry sections. There are two hills towards the end, a short climb to (what was) East Harlsey Castle, and then with the North York Moors pressing ever closer we have to carefully cross the main A19 road to take a lovely woodland footpath up the hill to Osmotherley. On the way one can visit Mount Grace Priory (built 1398) this is a ruin but there has been restoration work and there are remaining duck ponds and drainage features. Osmotherley is a quaint hill village with 3 pubs to choose from, and Britain s oldest functioning Methodist Church John Wesley came to preach here (39 km 9 hours. The day s total ascent 375m / descent 292m). Thursday 18th June - Osmotherley to Blakey (8-9 hours) A strenuous day with repeated ascents and descents in the Cleveland Hills, then across heather moors to Rosedale. This is a roller coaster walk. A steep stretch from Osmotherley introduces us to the North York Moors, sandy heather clad hills with areas of forest. After coming off Scarth Wood Moor, there is a long ascent up Live Moor and Carlton Bank (408 m) before descending to Lord Stones Café. There then follows the succession of Cringle Moor, Broughton Bank and White Hill all at or over 400 metres. You loose and then re ascend m between each one. White Hill has an area of sandstone boulders called The Wainstones that you thread through on the way up. Great views in clear weather, Roseberry Topping, Vale of Mowbray and back to the Pennines. From the road at Claybank Top, we then follow a moorland ridge up over Round Hill (454m) and maintain our height as the path follows the line of the old dismantled Rosedale railway line. The moor is bleak in bad weather punctured in places by standing stones some marked with inscriptions. There are enticing views at times into the fertile upper valleys of Farn and Esk dales, but especially if it is misty, wet and cold, the arrival at oir accommodation at Blakey is a great relief. (34 km 8-9 hours. The day s total ascent 1021m /descent 880). Friday 19th June - Blakey to Egton Bridge or Grosmont (4 hours) After a bit of a road perambulation past a white cross called Fat Betty, there follows an easy undulating descent down to beautiful wooded Eskdale. You also get some views opening up to the sea. The latter part of today s walk follows a pretty path through the woodlands on the banks of the River Esk, where we come across the Beggars Bridge a parabolic stone structure that has a story of love lost and love refound! Egton Bridge features a church with relics of the Catholic Martyr, Oliver Postgate. A really pretty setting, the river is famous for fly fishing and has some interesting stepping stones which enables you to hop (or wobble) between the two pubs faster than using the road. (16km, 4 hours. The day s total ascent 265m / descent 616m). Page 6

7 DAY 16 DAY 17 DAY 18 Saturday 20th June - Egton Bridge to Robin Hood Bay (7 hours) Following a delightful private road to Grosmont, you might get there in time to see a steam engine pull out for Pickering. There then follows a very steep pull up across heather moors with views down to Whitby and its Abbey. But the sea and journey s end is still tantalizingly far as the route abruptly changes course to visit the May Beck valley with its Falling Foss waterfall. A last area of high moor brings us to the coast, where the last 3 miles are spent on the coastal cliff path to Robin Hood s Bay, which appears almost by surprise as you near it. This is a village of red roofed houses clustered around its harbour on the North Sea coast marking the end of this 190 odd-mile crossing of England. Normally a drink at the Bay Hotel follows a paddle in the sea (both optional activities) (25.7 km, 7 hours. The day s total ascent 775m / descent 770m.) Sunday 21st June - To Harrogate Today we head south to Harrogate, a spa town in North Yorkshire. En-route we will visit the famous town of York where you will have some time to wander and explore at your leisure before continuing to Harrogate. In Harrogate you will visit and enjoy a pamper at the Harrogate Turkish Baths & Spa - (at own expense). No trip to Harrogate is complete without a stop at the famous Betty s Cafe and Tearooms where you you ll be spoilt for choice with over 300 breads, cakes and chocolates, as well as 50 different teas and coffees to choose from. Overnight Harrogate. Monday 22nd June - Transfer to London. Trip concludes We will return to London today where your trip concludes (approx 5-6 hours). inclusions 17 breakfasts Sherpa Expeditions Guide from St Bees to Robin Hood Bay B&B and hotel accommodation as outlined Coach hire and transfers to/from London WWOT Assessment Walk Fee valued at $147 2 nights in Keswick, 1 night in Harrogate on B&B One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg Trip escorted by Wild Women On Top Coach items not included Visa and travel insurance (compulsory) Meals (lunch & dinner) and beverages not indicated in the program Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc Return economy airfare from Sydney Sightseeing and entry fees while on the Coast to Coast Walk Honister Pass Extreme Via Ferrata trip grading The Wild Women On Top Coast to Coast adventure is rated moderate to challenging. Some long days and steep climbs and descents. Generally however undulating. Mixed weather can be expected. Note that often the trails in the Lake District especially are steep and rocky at times. Page 7

8 trip organisation Your Main luggage (not exceeding 20kg) will be transferred from point to point throughout the walk. Guesthouses/bed & breakfast establishments are normally check in on or after 4pm and checkout by 10am. When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to you room awaiting your arrival. However don t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room. Please politely ask someone if you need assistance. During each days walk you will stop for lunch or a picnic along the way. Your Sherpa Expeditions Guide will advise you of each days walk and activity so you can plan in advance if need be. MEALS: Breakfasts, full English breakfast is served daily. If you have any dietary requirements please advise so we can ensure the hoteliers know. Lunches, your accommodation may be able to provide a packed lunch for approx Just ask when you check in. Otherwise your guide will ensure that you pick up supplies before heading off the day or along way for picnics. Dinners, on some evenings dinner will be pre booked at a local restaurant, pub or hotel. Otherwise your guide will check with the group and make bookings along the way. An average main meal costs between excluding drinks. what you carry As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including raincoat, lunch supplies, waterbottle, warm top, camera etc. accommodation DURING TOUR We have booked a mix of B&B s and hotels on this tour having tried to use our usual accommodation. To allow for the group to stay together in the one property as much as possible we have provided one night with some triple rooms as well as upgrading the accommodation in other villages. Due to the sheer popularity of this tour means that we have also had to split the group and accommodate throughout a village. Some villages we stay in, the B&B s only have between 1 4 rooms so we cannot accommodate the whole group together. On these nights your guide will walk everyone to their B&B s and advise what time and where to meet for the evening meal. Rooms generally do not have baths. The main reason being they take up too much space. Although we aim to provide accommodation with ensuite rooms, this is not always possible and at a couple of places on your tour you may be sharing bathrooms. check in/out It is generally normal practice when staying in hotels that you check in on or after 2pm and checkout by 10am the following morning. Guesthouses/bed & breakfast establishments are normally check in on or after 4pm and checkout by 10am. luggage When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to you room awaiting your arrival. However don t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room. Please politely ask someone if you need assistance. insurance All clients must have appropriate cover for the activities included for the duration of our trip. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED England Page 8

9 VISAS Please check visa requirements with your reservations consultant* CLIMATE The climate of northern England is variable with rainfall occurring throughout the year (though more likely from October to April). The sunniest month is July. On average temperatures between April and October range from 4 C (39 F) 19 C (67 F), although it may be slightly cooler on the higher sections of the trail. Being prepared with the correct clothing and equipment for the conditions is important. A full clothing and equipment list is provided on booking. MIN GROUP SIZE 8 MAX GROUP SIZE 12 SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre departure information provided on booking). how to book To book a Wild Women On Top trip, you will need to complete a booking form and pay a non refundable deposit which you can do by using our online booking function, details of which will be provided at the time of the trip launch with Wild Women On Top. We can also help you with any additional arrangements that you require, such as competitive airfares to get you to your destination, stopovers, pre or post trip accommodation or any additional tours that you wish to take in conjunction with the main trip. Important: You must be a financial member of Wild Women On Top to join this tour. Please go to ring or admin@wildwomenontop.com for more details on training and memberships. airfares Please contact our staff who can provide a competitive airfare for you. e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, www. sherpa walking holidays.co.uk or contact our office. social networks You can make sure your up to date with all our latest information by liking, following or pinning us on the following social networks: facebook.com/sherpa Expeditions < Expeditions> < < IMPORTANT NOTE EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. WILD WOMEN ON TOP ITINERARIES CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME, DEPENDING ON LOCAL CONDITIONS, GROUP REQUIREMENTS AND WEATHER. Page 9