New National Trail opens

A new 190-mile coast-to-coast path has officially launched as England's newest National Trail.

The Path starts at St Bees Head on the Irish Sea and crosses three National Parks, before ending at Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea.

£5.5 million has helped Natural England and partners bring the route up to National Trail standard, with improved signage, better surfacing and more opportunities for cyclists and horse riders where suitable.

The new route will also receive annual maintenance funding to keep it in good condition and to make sure that sections where there have been accessibility improvements, with resurfaced paths or new bridges, stay accessible.

Fell walker Alfred Wainwright first imagined the route in 1973. He said: "the countryside is beautiful almost everywhere, yet extremely varied in character, with mountains and hills, valleys and rivers, heather moors and sea-cliffs combining in a pageant of colourful scenery".

The route travels through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. At the end, the path intersects with the Cleveland Way and King Charles III England Coast Path at Robin Hood’s Bay.

It is hoped that the path will provide a boost to the visitor economy at villages along the way.

More than 6,000 people complete the full Coast to Coast every year, with thousands more enjoying shorter sections. 99 per cent of walkers used local food services during their journey, with 77 per cent staying in local accommodation.

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: "The Coast to Coast Path National Trail showcases some of Northern England’s most treasured landscapes and today marks the completion of four years of work to give this iconic route the status it deserves.

"The Coast to Coast has inspired walkers since Wainwright first walked it over fifty years ago. As a National Trail with improved accessibility, paths and signage it will offer a new generation of walkers, wheelers and riders the chance to enjoy the route and bring new tourists to businesses along the way.

Access Minister Baroness Hayman said: "The Coast to Coast Path gives the public the opportunity to explore some of our country’s most beautiful scenery. National Trail status will help give even more people the chance to experience the remarkable places along its route, with improved accessibility and restored paths. 

"I am incredibly proud to live in Cumbria, and I hope that the Coast to Coast Path helps to put our part of the world in the spotlight as people come to take on our newest National Trail.

"This the latest step in our campaign to improve access to nature, including through the King Charles III England Coast Path and the Mersey Valley Way, the first of nine National River Walks."