Your Stories of your TPT coast-to-coast adventures

Everyone likes a challenge and the Trans Pennine Trail is used by many walkers, runners, cyclists, wheelers and horse riders for challenges big and small, whether it be getting back on your feet after an operation, learning to ride a bike, gaining confidence on a horse, taking part in a sponsored walk or running the M2L Ultra Marathon along the Trail from Manchester to Liverpool.

However, the ultimate challenge for many is to complete the coast-to-coast route from Southport on the west coast, to Hornsea on the east, either in sections or all in one go.

Stretching 215 miles (346 km), the coast-to-coast route offers an exciting adventure across the Pennines, through picturesque landscapes including disused railway lines and canal towpaths on which you will encounter dramatic scenery, interesting villages, and glimpses of England’s industrial heritage.

There are a host of materials to help you plan your adventure, including a printed guidebook and set of three maps covering the Trail that are available through our online shop.

There’s also the Trans Pennine Trail website that provides lots of useful information for organising your adventure, including the Plan a route section and the Interactive map that allows you to plot your location via your phone while you’re out on the Trail.

TPT coast-to-coasters are encouraged to register for the TPT stamping scheme that provides you with a free certificate on completion of your challenge, and to tag us in your photos while out on your adventure.

While the Your TPT Stories section is a great place to get inspired and to learn from the experiences of other TPT coast-to-coasters and consists of blogs written by TPT users who want to share details of their TPT adventure and record their achievement.

There’s Jenny’s account of cycling the route in June, covering 266 miles (with diversions) from Southport to Hornsea in four days with minimal gear – just a change of clothes, toiletries, essential bike tools and a couple of Airbnb reservations.

She pedalled through picturesque landscapes, enjoyed Airbnb stays, and savoured unexpected moments like Thai food in a Doncaster pub. The Trail, mostly flat and traffic-free, revealed metal sculptures and wildflowers, but also challenging muddy sections. A memorable journey indeed!

While in September, Ted ran the coast-to-coast route, this time east to west, from Hornsea to Southport, covering 206 miles (332.4km) in eight days, embarking on his TPT adventure in the scorching heat, running through a storm and navigating through patches of overgrown Trail while soreness, a groin injury and a run-in with a grass snake didn’t deter him from finishing at Southport where his girlfriend presented him with a well-deserved homemade medal and bottle of Sherry.

Why not check out their stories here and get inspired! And if you have any questions about planning your TPT adventure, email us at info@transpenninetrail.org.uk

And remember, the TPT isn’t just a path – it’s a journey through history, nature, and community. So lace up your boots, hop on your wheels or saddle up, and let the Trans Pennine Trail lead you on an unforgettable adventure!

Date: 19th July 2024

Robert Drummond