Preparation for the Coast to Coast is far bigger than preparing for a simple weekend in the Lakes or Scotland. You have accommodation, fitness, time scheduling, what to take and other considerations to take in before you even take a single step. I have listed below a few of the main subjects you need to take into account when planning your Coast to Coast adventure and hopefully they will help you enjoy a painless and thoroughly enjoyable experience on the Coast to Coast route.

Supported or DIY Coast to Coast
Probably the first decision you will need to make is are you going to walk the Coast to Coast supported or un-supported. There are many excellent companies who will, for a fee, book all of your accommodation, arrange luggage transfers, provide maps and even guides to walk with you, in fact they will do everything except the walking for you. One of the most important aspects of this type of walk is the need only to carry a light day sack whilst the holiday company transfer your bags to each stopover. Many people choose this route for simplicity and there is nothing wrong with this at all, it will make your walk simpler and therefore perhaps your enjoyment factor will be higher.
If you decide on doing all of the planning yourself, carrying all of your luggage, navigation etc yourself then it is a lot more hassle but maybe, just maybe, the experience will be all the richer? In this case you will need to book your accommodation reasonably early as a few places along the route get very busy at peak times and you simply wont be able to book with a weeks notice let alone a day. If you don't mind walking a few miles off-course this won't be a problem but if you are shattered from the walking will the couple of extra miles ruin everything the Coast to Coast should be about and that is enjoyment?
The third option is to do everything yourself but arrange for a company to transfer your baggage from accommodation provider to accommodation provider on a daily basis and this is probably the preferred option for most leaving you free to walk with only a day sack.


Fitness
The Coast to Coast is not easy and don't believe anyone who tells you that it is. It is rightly classed as a challenging walk and the first few days amongst the Lakeland fells are pretty tough. You really will need a fair degree of walking fitness to get through those days but you can console yourself with the fact that you are walking yourself fit.
Seasoned hill walkers or long distance walking veterans should manage perfectly well but what about those new to multi-day trail walking? In the months leading up to your walk, get out into the hills and countryside and do some long day walks followed by another long walk the day after to get your body used to the stresses and strains. Walk with your rucksack on and with the boots you will be wearing for the walk to ensure they are properly broken in.
Think seriously about factoring in a couple of rest days to give your body time to recover. Remember also not to rush the first few days and place too much stress on your body before it starts to harden to the aches and pains.


Direction of travel
The general consensus is that west to east is best and this also puts the prevailing wind and weather on your back rather than in your face and this, after all, is the direction Wainwright wanted you to go.


When to Go
The Coast to Coast 'season' runs from mid April to mid October with the days before and after this becoming too short for all but the quickest walkers on the longer days. May and October are generally good months for walking but the weather can be changeable. July and August tend to be the warmest months but can be wet and very busy at times whilst September tends to be quieter.


Getting there
Probably the best way to get to St Bees or Robin Hood's Bay is by persuading a friend or family member to take your group and pick you up a couple of weeks later but not everyone will be able to manage this so public transport and/or taxi is the next best choice. This means you do not have the worry of car parking or the costs. Using the train in conjunction with a local bus or taxi should make your life simpler plus negating the need return to pick up your car. Travelling by train to St Bees means changing at Carlisle. Scarborough railway station for connections to York, Edinburgh and London is a 30mins by taxi 60mins by bus. More train timetable information from National Rail enquiries.
Remember that some companies offer transport and car parking - see the Hols & Baggage Transfer page of this website.


Accommodation booking
Bed & Breakfast - Do not expect just to set off and book accommodation along the way as it will, in all probability, not run as smoothly as you like! Book well in advance where possible as the last thing you will want to do after a 14 mile walk is to walk another 4 or 5 miles in search of somewhere to stay. Try to avoid trips which clash with Bank Holidays as some accommodation providers are loathe to offer one night bookings. If you also avoid a weekend start to your walk, which is when the majority of walkers start, then you stand more chance of avoiding the congestion of people wanting accommodation.

Camping - If you have decided to camp then remember that wild camping is frowned upon along most of the route but along with the many official campsites along the way there are also pubs etc which allow you to camp for a small fee.

Hostels/bunk barns - The half-way house between guest-houses and camping and a good compromise for the cash conscious traveller. Youth hostels nowadays are a fay cry from 20 years ago and you will also meet some like-minded people to chat the night away with.


Kit List
What you take with you is dependent on factors such as the type of accommodation you are using, whether you are using the baggage transfer companies and how strong your back is.
Below is a brief list of what you will need for the trip but presumes that you are not camping.

Map & Compass - A map of the route and a compass AND the ability to use them both are essential for when the mist comes down in an unfamiliar area. Some guidebooks have OS maps but others, including Wainwright's, have hand-drawn maps and, as good as these are, you will be walking at times through terrain which is tricky to navigate and a map and compass may prove to be invaluable. Remember that a GPS is not a substitute for a map and compass - they are great pieces of technology but flat batteries, dropping them or water damage will leave you clueless if you are not backed up with a map and compass.

Rucksack - a correctly fitting rucksack is essential for a multi-day walk and most outdoor shops will be only too happy to advise on the size and fit of rucksacks - just remember to tell them what you want it for. Once you have got your rucksack get out and do some longish walks with it full to get used to it.
Using one of the baggage transfer companies will alleviate the need to carry as much with you and so a smaller day sack will suffice.


Dri-bags - available in many sizes and worth their weight in gold in keeping your clothes and/or camera etc dry in your rucksack. Plastic bags do a similar job, are cheaper but rip and leak easily.

Foul weather clothing - remember that this is the north of England and the weather can be pretty changeable. Carry some a decent set of waterproof trousers and jacket to cope with the rain which will be with you for some of the trip. Gaiters are also a good option to help keep the mud and gloop out of your boots.

Walking trousers/shorts - A couple of pairs of trousers should suffice for the walk but I prefer to pack a couple of pairs of lightweight shorts instead knowing that if I am cold then the waterproof leggings I am also carrying will suffice. Lightweight trousers or shorts are also easily washed and dried overnight.


Fleece - a warm layer such as a good quality fleece should be carried with you.

Base layer - a modern, synthetic walking t-shirt is perfect to wear next to your skin as it will wick, or transport, the sweat away from your body. They have the advantage of being very lightweight and easily washed and dried.

Boots and socks - The state of your feet will, in all probability, dictate if you can complete the full route. It is important that your boots are well worn in and have decent grip left in them. An underrated item of kit is the humble sock - these keep your feet warm, allow the sweat to wick and when you slip on a dry pair halfway through a wet walk a feeling of sheer bliss overtakes you. Wash and dry them regularly overnight.

Hat and gloves - essential kit for those cold days but a hat will also protect you when the sun is shining.


Whistle, Survival bag, small first aid kit, Head torch (and spare batteries) - essential safety equipment which you should be carrying. Remember that some sections of the route are over remote fells and moorland and six blasts of a whistle or flashes of a torch (recognised international distress signal) could well bring help quickly if needed. Don't forget the blister packs for the first aid kit!

Water - this could be a bottle or a hydration system. On a dull day you still need to replace lost fluids and if its one of the rare days of the year when the sun is shining then you will need to take on extra water. Dehydration is a serious issue and can be fatal. Don't drink too much ale the night before and get a decent amount of fluids in you ate the start of the walk then all you need is regular sips.

Food - ensure you have enough food with you particularly on those long days with no shops or cafes en route. Take plenty of food for lunch and and little extras such as bananas, jelly babies, dried fruit, jaffa cakes etc for energy replacement.