Challenges
These notes should be read in conjunction with the two ‘Insert Pages’ issued with the winter issue of the Society’s quarterly magazine Footsteps, where full details of the Challenge can be found.
Please scroll down the page below to access the complete list of Challenges & participants. The list is updated frequently and should always be consulted before selecting a Challenge.
2026: THE COAST TO COAST NATIONAL TRAIL CHALLENGE
More than half a century has passed since the publication of Wainwright’s pictorial guide, A Coast to Coast Walk. Chris Jesty worked tirelessly on the second edition, published in 2010. Roughly halfway between the two, renowned photographer Derry Brabbs collaborated with AW to produce the superb Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk (1987). These are all beautiful books, as dearly loved now as when they first appeared on booksellers’ shelves.
Over the decades thousands of adventurers have safely travelled from St.Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay or vice versa. They have enjoyed the fairest of weather and experienced the worst that the north of England could throw at them. Nevertheless, many more still dream of the day when they can set out on this wonderful journey across some of England’s most stunning landscapes. Time advances relentlessly though and in 2026 the walk becomes a National Trail. This has been a lengthy and often complicated process. The Society’s Challenge in 2013 was also dedicated to ‘The Coast to Coast.’ The introduction in that year’s Challenge Book recorded that ‘the long-term aim of having the Coast to Coast route designated as a National Trail remains an ambition of the Society.’ This desire will finally reach fulfilment in 2026.
For the walker, the varied terrain encountered on the ‘Coast to Coast Path National Trail’ is demanding and should not be underestimated. The route passes over some of Cumbria’s highest fells and close to several of our loveliest lakes. It crosses derelict mining areas and some of the country’s finest agricultural land before it picks its way over precious heather moorland. At journey’s end, the first view of the sea is a moment to savour. Completing the Coast to Coast is a truly life-enhancing experience and long may it remain so.
Alfred Wainwright’s ‘Some Personal Notes in Conclusion’ are a unique, illuminating feature of his pictorial guides, not least those contained in A Coast to Coast Walk, where he describes, from the heart, his feelings for this charismatic walk, beloved by thousands, many of whom live well beyond our shores. He wrote: ‘It took me a year and it was a journey of delight’, adding later ‘you could not have a better-defined start and finish, each with the waves lapping your boots.’ (A Coast to Coast Walk pp. xv & xvi)
The Lyke Wake Walk (LWW)
We are very pleased this year to include the LWW within our Society Challenge. Alfred Wainwright thought highly of this formidable moorland marathon, so much so that he made several references to it, describing it as ‘gruelling’ in Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk, 1987. Devised by farmer Bill Cowley in 1955 the challenge was, and still is, to cross the moors from near Osmotherley to Beacon Howes, Ravenscar within 24 hours.
The Society Challenge of 2013 commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the publication of Wainwright’s guidebook. Many members participated that year and we hope as many as possible will return in 2026. We particularly welcome new Challengers, whether individuals, family groups and/or friends. All of us recall our first Society Challenge, the chance to raise some funds for a worthy cause and also just to have a memorable day in the British outdoors, weather permitting! Good luck to all our Challengers.
HOW TO APPLY AND PARTICIPATE
Important Note: All walks are to be undertaken independently and at participants’ own risk.
Traditionally Challenge applications have been submitted by post. This method will continue. However, from 2026 applications can also be made by email. The Challenge allocation process functions on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Members submitting email applications must at the same time post the registration form, included with the winter issue of Footsteps, to the Walks Organiser (address on the registration form). This is essential to help maintain a fair distribution of Challenges. The form is also required for record purposes. Please advise any discrepancies regarding the receipt of your Footsteps ‘Insert Pages’ and registration form.
Members should select their three preferred Challenges. The Walks Organiser will endeavour to grant members their first choice. Unfortunately this is not always possible owing to the large number of participants.
The sixty Challenges listed below are exactly the same as those included with the winter issue of Footsteps.
The list on the website tab Activities > Challenges is updated frequently and must be consulted to check the Challenges that have already been allocated, to whom and, most importantly what are still available. The date of the latest update is shown at top left of the list. Please ensure you scroll down the page to view the latest status.
Please apply as soon as the Challenge locations are released as demand will be high, particularly in 2026.
In 2026 to accommodate as many participants as possible some Challenges may be doubled up so that two members may be allocated the same Challenge. This is at the discretion of the Walks Organiser.
Members sign up to complete one Challenge each. However, every year, some participants later sadly have to withdraw for a variety of reasons. Any members keen to complete an additional Challenge are most welcome and should contact the Walks Organiser accordingly.
Further information and advice can always be obtained from the Walks Organiser, Mark Abbott, via the following:
Phone: 01606 79336 / 07506 196353 Email: walkevents@wainwright.org.uk
PARTICIPANTS REPORTS & PHOTOGRAPHS (IMPORTANT PLEASE)
Participants written Challenge reports are an integral and well-loved part of the whole process. We always look forward to receiving these, especially where they include members’ personal experiences of the walk itself.
Quotations
Challengers are kindly requested to ensure, when incorporating Wainwright quotations, that they are kept to the minimum and are only sourced from the author’s original edition.
Members’ reports and photographs will be set out in our excellent Challenge Book, published in the early autumn.
REPORTS = 175 to 225 WORDS*
PHOTOGRAPHS = 3 COLOUR AT LEAST 2Mb EACH.
INCLUDE a photo of the Challenger(s) plus 2 views of the locations visited.
*Reports written by Challengers completing the full Lyke Wake Walk should be of greater length, to allow a full appreciation of their experience. Participants should confirm this requirement (ie number of words and photos) with the Walks Organiser.
Reports and Photos should always be sent by email to: challengebook@wainwright.org.uk
Funds raised through the Challenge, sponsorship, donations from participants and sales of the Challenge Book will be donated to the Society’s beneficiary in 2026:
MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS (MRT) PROVIDING COVERAGE ON THE COAST TO COAST PATH NATIONAL TRAIL
CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Challenge Walks can be undertaken at any time in the first half of the year up to: MONDAY 1ST JUNE 2026
Reports & Photographs should be submitted as soon as possible but at the latest by: TUESDAY 30TH JUNE 2026
CHALLENGE BOOKS
Please make best efforts to comply with the deadlines above, it helps the publication team immeasurably. The books are a comprehensive record of the places we have walked and the family, friends and dogs who have accompanied us on our adventures. Some have passed away now but the memories live on. The publications form an important part of our fund-raising, so please buy a copy, they tell great stories.
DONATIONS
All donations to our annual beneficiary are highly appreciated. There is a suggested (but not requisite) minimum donation of £15. You may, of course, wish to raise more funds through sponsorship and forms are available on request. Please note cheques should be made payable to: The Wainwright Society
Members wishing to donate via bank transfer should contact the Walks Organiser for the appropriate bank details.
Updated: 28th July 2026
| No. | Challenge | Society Member |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | ST.BEES to SANDWITH | CAROLINE NICHOL |
| 02 | SANDWITH to CLEATOR | ANN-MARIE VERNER |
| 03 | CLEATOR to KINNISIDE STONE CIRCLE | JO JACKSON |
| 03 | CLEATOR to KINNISIDE STONE CIRCLE | DAVID TURVEY |
| 04 | KINNISIDE STONE CIRCLE to ENNERDALE WATER | JOHN MANN |
| 04 | KINNISIDE STONE CIRCLE to ENNERDALE WATER | DAVID BERRY |
| 05 | ENNERDALE WATER to HIGH GILLERTHWAITE | HOWARD McKNIGHT |
| 05 | ENNERDALE WATER to HIGH GILLERTHWAITE | SHEILA CURRAN |
| 06 | HIGH GILLERTHWAITE to BLACK SAIL HUT | DEREK & SUE HAINSWORTH |
| 07 | BLACK SAIL HUT to HONISTER HAUSE | KEITH CAPP |
| 08 | HIGH GILLERTHWAITE to HONISTER HAUSE | MARK ABBOTT |
| 09 | HONISTER HAUSE to ROSTHWAITE | RICHARD McDONALD |
| 09 | HONISTER HAUSE to ROSTHWAITE | MICHAEL ELCOCK |
| 09 | HONISTER HAUSE to ROSTHWAITE | LYNDON & JOYCE DAVIES |
| 10 | ROSTHWAITE to GREENUP EDGE | IAN NELSON |
| 10 | ROSTHWAITE to GREENUP EDGE | STEVE HARRIS |
| 11 | GREENUP EDGE to GRASMERE via Far Easedale | ANDREW STAINTHORPE |
| 12 | GREENUP EDGE to GRASMERE via Gibson Knott | MARK HALLIWELL |
| 12 | GREENUP EDGE to GRASMERE via Gibson Knott | JUNE NORRIS-GREEN |
| 13 | GRASMERE to GRISEDALE TARN via Little Tongue Gill | ROGER BUNYAN |
| 13 | GRASMERE to GRISEDALE TARN via Little Tongue Gill | STEPHEN & PAM TURNER |
| 14 | GRASMERE to GRISEDALE TARN via Tongue Gill | DR ALAN THOMAS |
| 15 | GRISEDALE TARN to PATTERDALE via Grisedale | DAVE BILLINGTON |
| 15 | GRISEDALE TARN to PATTERDALE via Grisedale | PIERRE COWLARD |
| 16 | GRASMERE to PATTERDALE via Helvellyn Striding Edge | RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN & LISA BURKE |
| 17 | GRASMERE to PATTERDALE via Saint Sunday Crag | MARTIN LEDIGO |
| 18 | PATTERDALE to HAWESWATER | HELEN HACKNEY |
| 19 | HAWESWATER to BURNBANKS | ANGELA & DAVID CROXALL |
| 19 | HAWESWATER to BURNBANKS | DR JULIAN PROCTER |
| 20 | BURNBANKS to SHAP | ANDREW WILKINS & FAMILY |
| 20 | BURNBANKS to SHAP | DAVID OLIVER |
| 21 | SHAP to ORTON | JEFF APPLEYARD |
| 21 | SHAP to ORTON | DAVID CLAXTON |
| 22 | ORTON to SUNBIGGIN TARN | DUNCAN ELLIOTT |
| 22 | ORTON to SUNBIGGIN TARN | FRED & ANNE MORRIS |
| 23 | SUNBIGGIN TARN to SMARDALE BRIDGE | RICHARD DALY |
| 24 | SMARDALE BRIDGE to KIRKBY STEPHEN | STEVE JEFFERSON |
| 25 | KIRKBY STEPHEN to NINE STANDARDS RIGG Δ | SOCIETY CHALLENGE WALK {MAY 16} |
| 26 | NINE STANDARDS RIGG Δ to RAVENSEAT | ROGER BUNYAN |
| 27 | KIRKBY STEPHEN to JINGLING COVE (B6270 Road) | NICK BURTON |
| 28 | JINGLING COVE to RAVENSEAT | MARK ABBOTT |
| 29 | RAVENSEAT to KELD LODGE | DAVID WHELAN |
| 30 | KELD LODGE to BLAKETHWAITE MILL | STEPHANIE DAVIS |
| 31 | BLAKETHWAITE MILL to SURRENDER BRIDGE | DAVID HALL |
| 32 | SURRENDER BRIDGE to REETH | MALCOLM MASON |
| 33 | KELD LODGE to GUNNERSIDE BRIDGE | JOHN & GWEN LEYLAND |
| 34 | GUNNERSIDE BRIDGE to REETH | STEPHEN SCATTERSON |
| 35 | REETH to MARSKE | PETER MOORE |
| 36 | MARSKE to RICHMOND | PETER & JUDITH BROAD |
| 37 | RICHMOND to CATTERICK BRIDGE | JANE CHALLIS |
| 38 | CATTERICK BRIDGE to KIPLIN HALL | IAN THOMAS |
| 39 | KIPLIN HALL to DANBY WISKE | ALAN HINKES |
| 39 | KIPLIN HALL to DANBY WISKE | IAN THOMAS |
| 40 | DANBY WISKE to LONG LANE | ALAN HINKES |
| 41 | LONG LANE to INGLEBY CROSS | MARK ABBOTT |
| 42 | INGLEBY CROSS to HUTHWAITE GREEN (part LWW) | STUART ALLEN |
| 43 | HUTHWAITE GREEN to CARLTON BANK (LWW) | MARK ABBOTT |
| 44 | CARLTON BANK to CLAY / HASTY BANK (LWW) | JOHN & DIANE CLARK |
| 44 | CARLTON BANK to CLAY / HASTY BANK (LWW) | MARTIN & LISA WEATHERILL |
| 45 | CLAY /HASTY BANK to BLOWORTH CROSSING (LWW) | BRIAN & JILL RAINFORD |
| 46 | BLOWORTH CROSSING to THE LION INN (part LWW) | MILES THORNTON |
| 47 | THE LION INN to GLAISDALE MOOR | DAVID HOYLE |
| 48 | GLAISDALE MOOR to GLAISDALE STATION (National Rail) | TREVOR HUMBEY & CHRISTINE BAILEY |
| 49 | GLAISDALE STATION to GROSMONT STATION (NYMR) | HELEN HACKNEY |
| 50 | GROSMONT STATION to A169 Road | MARTIN OWEN |
| 51 | A169 Road to FALLING FOSS | GLYN DAVIES |
| 52 | FALLING FOSS to B1416 Road | MARTIN OWEN |
| 53 | B1416 Road to HIGH HAWSKER | GLYN DAVIES |
| 54 | HIGH HAWSKER to ROBIN HOOD’S BAY | SHEILA BULLAS |
| 55 | GRASMERE VILLAGE CHALLENGE | FRED RUDDELL |
| 55 | GRASMERE VILLAGE CHALLENGE | JOHN BURLAND |
| 56 | KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN CHALLENGE | DEREK COCKELL |
| 57 | RICHMOND TOWN CHALLENGE | DAVID JOHNSON |
| LYKE WAKE WALK (LWW) CHALLENGES: | ||
| 58 | OSMOTHERLEY to RAVENSCAR (Full Route) | TOM & CLAIRE CHAPMAN |
| 59 | WHEELDALE ROAD to ELLER BECK (part route) | ANDREW & BRIDGET WEDDERBURN |
| 60 | HASTY BANK to RALPH CROSSES (part route) | MARK ABBOTT |
| 61 | INGLEBY CROSS TO RAVENSCAR (Northern Route) | GRAEME NOBLE |
Notes:
42-46 LYKE WAKE WALK PARTLY OR FULLY COINCIDENT WITH THE COAST TO COAST PATH
Abbreviations:
Δ = Trig Point
LWW = Lyke Wake Walk
NYMR = North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Following the publication of a book to record Members’ efforts for the Lakeland Challenge in 2005, every year since 2009, excluding 2020, we have produced a new book to mark the Challenge, containing members’ stories and illustrated with their photographs. The books are produced entirely by our volunteers and made available for sale to members. Details can be found in our shop.