Coast to Coast - the TransPennine Trail
- ann26154
- Aug 19
- 6 min read
There is something very special about traversing the breadth of the country from one coast to the other, from one sea to another. Each day bought something different and you can appreciate the diversity of England's landscapes and terrain as you cross the country.
The Transpennine Trail is less commonly known than some of the more popular Coast to Coast routes. Longer at 215 miles, most certainly flatter and almost all on traffic free paths or very quiet country lanes, it might be often overlooked but is a fantastic choice for a Coast to Coast adventure.
Day 1 - Southport to Liverpool
check out my ride on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/2491180332
You officially start your journey, on the west coast looking out to the Irish Sea at Southport. The skies are blue, the summer sun is out as are people on the beach.
As you travel down the west coast you pass through wooded areas and trails before reaching the coastline again. You cycle along Crosby Beach where 100 Anthony Gormley iron cast life size statues are situated spanning the beach -called ‘Another Place’. From the distance they look like a man is just gazing out to sea, but depending on the tide, you can see more or less of the statues.
The path had been taken over by sand so a brief section cycling on the beach before crossing the dunes to the road. The trail takes you past Aintree but we decided to follow the path past the expanse of Liverpool docks and the Everton Football stadium, along a very busy road. We needed those drinks at the Titanic Hotel - an imposing former warehouse, now plush hotel in the historic Stanley Dock. Onward to the Albert Dock in Liverpool passing the iconic Liver Building and Beatles statue.
Day 2 - Liverpool to Disbury (south of Manchester)
check out my ride on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/2494112535
We head out of Liverpool but not before visiting the iconic Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King affectionally nicknamed 'The Wigwam' as it 's modern design marks it out from more traditional cathedral buildings.
You continue along the Mersey estuary for many miles. Its home to a huge variety of waders birds and is marked as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) very easy cycling and wonderfully scenic. Magnificent views of the Silver Jubilee Bridge. We reach the Ditton Brook Bridge which requires you to push your bike up steps up for a view over the Mersey.
The Mersey section follows the routes of many of the areas historic transport links: the disused Timperley-Garston and Cheshire Lines railways, the Manchester Ship Canal, the Runcorn-Latchford (Black Bear) Canal, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and the St Helens Canal.
Again this day is mainly gravel paths, trails, wooded areas and old railway lines and a stop in Lymm for lunch.
Day 3 - Disdsbury to Wombwell (south east of Barnsley)
check out my ride on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/2497016156
As leave Disbury we continue to follow the Mersey River, which by now is back to a traditional river rather than the expanse of the estuary. More lovely trails through wooded sections as we pass by impressive Victorian railway bridges - grand structures showcasing brilliant Victorian engineering and construction.
Its not long before we enter the Peak District National Park. We cycle along the Longedale trail - a pleasant cycle through the valley with heather on the hills and alongside a number of reservoirs including Torside and Woodhead which serve Manchester and Sheffield. Shockingly, a couple of these reservoirs were nearly empty - no wonder there’s a hose pipe ban.
We have to cross the road busy A468 several times on this path including one very steep section with steps - but is worth it as we get to the top and have a beautiful view and cycle across the top of the moors dodging sheep. It is just beautiful up here, and a reminder why you see so much more when you travel by bike.
The first half of our ride today was basically all uphill with the second half being predominantly downhill. In fact, today was the highest point on the Transpennine Trail. The hilliest day of the adventure with 3000 feet elevation over 49 miles.
Day 4 - Wombwell to Selby (south of York)
check out my ride on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/2500260643
As we leave Wombwell, we cycle along the River Don passing the impressive Conisbrough Viaduct before a breakfast stop at Cusworth Hall along the trail. We then continue along country lanes before reaching the New Junction canal, there are a several lift bridges along the canal - allowing boats to travel down the canal. After we leave the canal most of our cycle now is on country lanes but still incredibly rural and quiet.
The countryside here reminds me of Cambridgeshire and The Fens - flat, very agricultural, field upon field as we cross the railway around half a dozen times today at least.
Selby is situated on the junction of the Ouse River and the Selby Canal and is home to an impressive 11th century Abbey.
Day 5 - Selby to Kingston upon Hull (Humber Bridge diversion)
check out my ride on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/2503756319
We head out again on very quiet country lanes alongside farming fields, it is very low lying - at one point we were only 8 feet above sea level. We cycle past the imposing Drax power station along the River Ouse and then along the Humber estuary.
The first and second half of this ride are quite different. While the first half was very remote countryside and then around halfway through we reach Elloughton, and from there on it was extremely urbanised and busy as we followed the Humber river onward into Kingston upon Hull.
The Humber Bridge is not officially on the trail, but we couldn't come this far and not take the opportunity to cycle over this major landmark bridge. it is the longest single-span suspension bridge in the UK one of the longest suspension bridges in the world which you can walk or cycle across and spans 1.4 miles.
We then follow cycle paths into the historic port city of Hull.
Day 6 - Hull to Hornsea (finish point on the North Sea coast)
check out my ride on Komoot https://www.komoot.com/tour/2505944355
Our final leg of 15 miles takes us on cycle paths out of Hull before reaching the countryside. We follow a single gravel trail all the way to Hornsea and the coast and for a pic at the landmark at the official end point.
We started in sunshine and finished in drizzle and colder weather, the uniqueness of the British summer.... we still had to finish with traditional English fish and chips though.
We did it! The official route is 215 miles, but with diversions and our return to Hull we have cycled 250 miles over the last few days.
Summary
I've done coast to coasts before, but this one is special. Almost all traffic free, very accessible gradients and paths and the experience of different parts of England, some of which I had never been to before, make this a coast to coast to remember.
From the beaches of Southport, the Anthony Gormley statues on Crosby Beach as you approach Liverpool, the beauty and expanse of the wildlife on the Mersey estuary, incredible Victorian railway bridges, the pretty Longdendale Trail through the Pennines and the spectacular and remote sections of the moors as you pass through the Peak National park. After you’ve traversed the Pennines, it’s predominantly downhill to the east coast as you follow the New Junction canal, vast expanses of low lying & remote agricultural terrain and the Humber Estuary - and including a cycle across the longest single suspension bridge in the UK.
There are many sections where it is so remote and rural, and you could be forgiven for thinking that you are hundreds of miles from any urban sprawl.
If you’re keen for a coast to coast adventure look no further than the TransPennine trail.
