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For more route information, updates and
all things route related then visit the Off-road Bits, Urban Areas and
the Advice Centre page for
more
detailed information.
where to buy a map
You can buy a C2C route map as well as
a whole range of other C2C related products from the Cockermouth
based Rannerdale
website and all of the National Cycle Network route maps
can be bought online from the Sustrans online shop
as well as range of merchandise. You can also buy the map from
most bookshops, a range of Tourist Information centres as well
as a lot of bike shops.
trouble spots
A lot of people get lost on the C2C and
I find that the most common places are starting from Whitehaven,
travelling through Penrith and Consett as well as the finish
points at both Sunderland and Newcastle. For this reason The
C2C Guide has published a range of maps for these areas and they
are accessible from the Urban Areas page
of the guide.
the new(ish) C2C map
The most recent C2C route map was published
in May 2007, but with very little
change to the 2005 route map. You can use either the 2005 or 2007
route maps with no problem but if you plan on using an earlier
map than this then below are a list of all the route changes which
started with the 2001 map.
keswick
The Keswick Railway path section was the
subject of major ground works in 2000 and has lost all of the
steps and steep, rough inclines which tended to put a lot of
people off, as such it has been upgraded on the new route map
to the 'official' route rather than its previous incarnation
as the alternative route, this section is one of the nicest on
the C2C running as it does next to, and over, the River Greta
in a picturesque tree clad setting. The road route option via
Castlerigg Stone Circle is now the 'alternative' section but
has some absolutely stunning scenery especially from the stone
circle.
threlkeld and mungrisdale
Instead of turning right after Threlkeld
(4 miles after Keswick) and crossing the busy A66 you now stay
on the north side of the road on a purpose built cycle path for
approx. 1 mile until you get to Scales (big white pub - you can't
miss it!) where you follow the gated road along the flank of
Souther Fell until Mungrisdale is reached. From here you have
2 choices
- either turn right in Mungrisdale and head back towards another cycle path
along side the A66 before reaching Troutbeck
- or take a left when you reach Mungrisdale, follow this for 0.5 miles and
then take the next two right turns. When you reach Berrier take a left turn
on to the Greystoke road. It might sound complicated but I have ridden this
section a few times recently and it is well signed.
penrith
After leaving Penrith via Fell Lane (the
steep bit - you will know it when you see it!) you travel
along Beacon Edge but now you turn left after 0.75 miles and
travel along a quiet road before joining the A686 just before
Langwathby. This section replaces the old route via Edenhall
and a stretch of very busy road. Beware the very sharp corner
at milemarker 56 which has caused a few accidents for C2C'ers
over the years.
renwick
The 'official' route now carries on to
Renwick via a surfaced road instead of turning right to the 'Five
Road End's' junction and the rough track to Selah Bridge. The
off road alternative up to Hartside is still available for those
who like the rough stuff.
alston
There is a straight forward 'alternative'
route via Alston and on to Nenthead via the A689 which can get
a bit busy. The route through Leadgate and Garrigill is still
available and unchanged and in my opinion is still the route
to take.
sunderland
The old maps have you crossing the River
Wear at Cox Green (mile marker 127/128) and riding through South
Hylton and Pallion before heading into Sunderland proper. However,
the route now stays on the north side of the river, passing the
excellent Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre and following
the Wear until the Wearmouth Bridge over the River Wear in the
centre of Sunderland. From here it is through the marina to the
finish.
newcastle
The route along the North bank of the
River Tyne following Hadrian's Wall National Trail is now fully
open and signposted either as route 72 or 'Hadrian's Way' although,
the Millennium Bridge has now opened allowing you to ride the
south or north bank of the Tyne and cycle over the river using
this exceptional bridge.
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accommodation 
