Coast to Coast day 7 May 25th 2026

 Keld - Grinton.

Nice evening in Keld Lodge with Anne, where she helped me path up my feet.

In theory this should have been one of the easier days, but due to the temperature getting as high as 28 29, it was anything but easy. I chose the low level route because of the forecast, and both feet aching - mainly the tendonitis in the left foot My book said it should take 11.5 miles to Reeth

 and then 1 mile to Grinton, but by the end of the walk I had clocked  13.8 miles. 

The part along the Swale with the pennine way on the fell opposite was spectacular. Swaledale is a beautiful part of the country.

The Swale just before Reeth

Grinton Lodge

The walk was hard due to the heat, so every time I found some shade, I stopped for a rest. I stopped for a nice cuppa and scone in Gunnerside. Half a mile before the yha I stopped for a pint at the bridge inn, and then Anne picked me up , drove me up the hill to the yha,where I checked in , and then she drove us to middleham where Erica and the kids were staying at an airbnb, and then we then went for a nice pub meal all together. By the ebd of today, the 'wobble' I was experiencing was completely gone, largely due to seeing Anne, Erica and the kids.

13.8 Miles. 6 Hours 53 Mins. 1319ft Ascent.

Coast to Coast day 6 May 24

 Kirkby Stephen - Keld

In theory, this should have an easier day at 13 mile, but I am now feeling the toll of the previous days. Both feet are hurting, and I have a couple of blisters and a ripped toe nail. I think the steroid injection for the tendonitis has worn off. Mentally, not feeling too good about the whole thing. We are also experiencing a heat wave with temperatures up to 26 27, and I don't cope with this very well.

Knowing it was going to be hot I got up super early(5:30) and was at the walk highpoint in just over 2 hours. This included a breakfast stop at a nice stone bench about half a mile from the top with glorious views

Breakfast

Breakfast

The Nine Standards comes into view

The nine standards - nine well built cairns that have apparently been there for hundreds of years, and no one knows the real reason for their construction.

Leaving the nine standards was miles of superbly constructed flagstone path across the moor. When that finally ended and the path became sketchy you could truly appreciate how good that section was. Before this, there were many incidences of people getting injured and lost amongst the peat bogs.

Leaving Kirby Stephen

Fantastic path across the moor

Ravenseat Farm

Eventually, I got to ravenseat farm , where I stopped for a brief rest. I carried on generally losing elevation down to the village of Keld where I had booked a room at the Keld Lodge . This is a the point of the trek where it intersects the Pennine Way.  Fortunately, they let me check in early where I could get out of the sun( no sun block - I did this section in trousers and long sleeves). I had messed up the booking - I thought I had changed my single to a double but they had no record - fortunately again they had a vacant twin room.  Anne arrived later that afternoon, and we had a nice stroll down to the waterfall, followed by a pleasant evening and a great meal at the hotel.

A brilliant days walk.

13 miles. 6 hour 26 minutes, 2100 ascent

Coast to Coast day 5 May 23

 Shap - Kirkby Stephen

The guide book says today's 20 miles is like a rest day after the lake district epics. There is some truth to that but it's still 20 miles.

I stayed at Wainwrights rest airbnb in Shap. Very nice with an excellent chippy at the end of the road

 I set off early (5:30), hoping to get some miles in before the sun started really warming up. Good plan as I managed to get about 6 comfortable miles in before the sun burned through the clouds. Stopped for breakfast around the 3 mile mark 

 

Limestone Pavement - enetering the Yorkshire Dales

Breakfast Stop

 I met 3 fellow travellers near Sunbiggin Tarn, and all of them will be staying at Keld Lodge , so I'll see them there.

Good Bye to the Lake District

Crossing the M6

Sunbiggin Tarn

Smardale Bridge

Smardalegill Viaduct

Stayed at Kirby Stephen Independent Hostel on the high street. Perfect, as there was access to plenty of shops and pubs. Bought some socks from an outdoor shop (basic stuff t wear in the evenings), and then had a nice pint and meal at a pub. As per normal - put half a dozen blokes in a dormitory and at leat one is guaranteed to snore !! Great day , I am really enjoying the trek.

20.5 Miles. 9 Hour 47 Mins. Ascent 600ft