C2C (Whitehaven/Workington to Sunderland/Tynemouth)
Type of Route: 40% traffic-free, 60% quiet minor roads
Length: 140 miles
Gradient: Challenging
Time needed: Allow four to five days
Access: Train stations at Newcastle, Sunderland and Penrith
National Cycle Network route numbers: 7, 71
The UK's most popular 'challenge' cycle route passes through the northern Lake District before climbing the Pennines, 'the roof of England', and then descending to the railway paths of County Durham. It includes Black Hill, the highest point on the National Cycle Network (609m) and the Consett-Sunderland railway path and sculpture trail. This route also links to The Three Rivers, the Coast and Castles and the Glasgow to Carlisle cycle routes.
A National Cycle Network map for this route is available from the Sustrans Online shop (www.sustransshop.co.uk/).