September 26, 2009
C2C - Blakey to Grosmont - stayed at the Grosmont Hotel
Distance/Time - 23 kms /14 miles - 5 hours
Weather - glorious sunshine and warm weather (18 c/66f)
Terrain - country roads to start then followed crest of Fryup Moor to Glaisdale – beautiful dales (valleys) on either side. Finished walking through quaint wooded countryside to Grosmont.
Notes
Early morning fog with spectacular views. It felt great hiking in sunshine as we hike through moors and heather accompanied by the sights and sounds of the British Grouse. Hiked past Glaisdale then into Arncliffe Woods along the River Esk. We climbed the Monks Trod which are stones hollowed out by time - they were placed there for the monks to travel from Whitby Abby to other areas in 1300 AD. Came across a Jazz band playing for a birthday party at a beautiful Estate home along the river. They waved us in for a glass of wine. Interesting and friendly conversation – man those Brits are great! Grosmont is a busy tourist village that is home to the antique train engines (still in use) that were used in the Harry Potter films.
September 27, 2009
C2C - Grosmont to Robin Hood’s Bay - stayed at the Wayfarer Guest House
Distance/Time - 25 kms /16 miles - 6 hours
Weather - sunshine – no wind – mild temperatures.
Terrain - steep 1 ½ mile (3km) climb at start to the crest of Sleight Moor. Followed moor into Little Beck Nature Preserve – beautiful wooded hike along rivers edge to Falling Foss waterfalls – finished along moors and cliff side trails to Robin Hood’s Bay.
Notes
As the crow flies our last section should have been 10 miles – but Wainwright (who the hike is named after) had other plans. The hike through Little Beck Preserve was like hiking through the Hobbits Middle Earth – and the extra circle around the coastal cliffs proved a fitting way to enter into Robin Hood’s Bay.
Posts from this trip.
This is Wainwright’s C2C path, not trail. I think of a trail as a fairly flat manicured walkway. We are embarking on something completely different. The majority of the 192 miles across England will be on 16” rutted out pathways filled with mud, sheep/cattle manure, smooth and sharp boulders, tree roots and running water.
What a welcome to our return to the C2C. This was the worst weather we have encountered and it actually hailed on us at the top of Nine Standards. Wind, rain, hail, mud and very low visibility made this day a real adventure. Relied on compass to find our way when we couldn’t find the path and visibility was only 75’ (25 meters). Great view when the sun is shining - so they say.
Just when I thought the scenery couldn’t get any more beautiful – along came this amazing section of our hike. The River Swale Valley is spectacular with vistas of old stone farm buildings, stone fences and sheep pastures. Nestled along the River Swale were two beautiful picturesque villages – Muker and Gunnerside.
Once we cleared the top of Cleveland Hill the view of Scarth Moor was spectacular. Walked for many hours in undulating hills covered in heather. Fourty six miles (75 kms) in two days - couldn’t wait for a cold pint at the Lion Inn in Blakey. Fourth highest pub in England , this is a truly classic countryside English pub.
C2C hikers either carry a pebble or small vile of water from the start (St. Bees). I carried some Irish Sea water and poured it into the North Sea. Then you go to Wainwright’s Bar, which is at the waters edge, and have a very refreshing pint or two. Sign the log book and put down a few personal notes. We relaxed, enjoyed the view and watched for other people we met along the way finish their hike. Then we enjoyed fish and chips at a chip shop – the best fish and chips we ever had!