The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is looking forward to working with Natural England and local partners to designate the Coast to Coast long distance footpath as a National Trail.
The feasibility work will be taking place during the current year with a view to Natural England presenting a formal proposal to Government early in Spring 2022.
Nick Cotton, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Member Champion for Recreation Management said: “The designation of the Coast to Coast as a National Trail is a key objective within our National Park Management Plan 2019-2024 and we’re delighted that this is now a big step forward to making it a reality.
“There’s a lot of work to do between now and next spring working with landowners and local communities as well as our neighbouring National Parks and Local Authorities, and of course Natural England who have the statutory responsibility for National Trails”.
The 182-mile Coast to Coast path runs from St Bees in the west passing through Orton, Kirkby Stephen, Ravenseat, Keld, Reeth and Marske in the Yorkshire Dales National Park before continuing to Robin Hood’s Bay in the east.
Making the Coast to Coast footpath into a National Trail is long overdue. Living on the route I take the opportunity to speak with many of the walkers who comment that some sections of the route are not particularly well marked. This comment frequently comes from foreign visitors
The Coast to Coast National Trail proposal is most welcome. It would complement that other great National Trail, the Penine Way and be a welcome addition to the other trails. The route already exists so the waymarking, discussions with landowners and local authorities and national parks should be relatively straight forward.
A great idea – the current trail is very poorly marked and so surprisingly dangerous in a few places, as well as having alternative at some points which doesn’t help.
But it’s a great route, with varied scenery through some lovely parts of England and a good challenge.