Crossing Ol’ Blighty – the Coast to Coast Path, England – Day 15

Date: Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Day: 15
From: Blakey Ridge                  To: Grosmont
Start Walking: 900am             End Walking: 215pm
Distance (Planned): 22km     Distance (Garmin): 21.7km
Progress: 276.7/306km
Ascent: 222m                              Descent: 549m
Weather: Very cool, grey and misty to start and then warm.
Stayed At: Geall Gallery & B&B

General Comments:
• Today was quite a mixed one. The terrain varied as did the views. Unfortunately there was quite a bit of hard surface walking i.e. paved roads and when we weren’t dodging cars, we were walking on loose rolling rock. Not the best surfaces, but the views certainly made up for it.
• I misunderstood the trail notes and we were kept high on the moors for longer than expected, before dropping down into Esk Valley. We were both happy about that as we continue our love affair with the moors.

• There were many more people on trail including some new faces. Maybe they have caught up with us if they have been doing longer stages? Regardless, everyone had a spring in their step, being the penultimate day.
• The Cream Tea hunt was reignited today in an effort not to have to eat tuna for lunch AGAIN! We brought quite a few tuna sachets from Australia to have as our lunches and after 15 days, the novelty has definitely worn off. No cream teas were to be found, so tuna it was.😉

• The stepping stones at Egton Bridge were a highlight and not just with us. Being school holidays now, lots of kids were having a ball hopping from stone to stone. I loved how worn the stones were from thousands of feet over hundreds of years.
• Grosmont, where we are staying, is a funny little place as it seems to revolve around its train station. Tourists and train buffs are everywhere and we joined the throng. I always wonder what ‘normal’ tourists think when they see us grotty and sweaty hikers.😁 They would be wise to give us a wide berth!😅

Top Tips:
• Stages: If you feel the need, it would be easy to shorten today or break it into additional stages. There are quite a few smaller villages and all seem to have some sort of B&B accommodation. Just a tip though, if you plan to stay in Glaisdale, beware that it goes on forever. You think you have arrived in the village, but it stretches for quite a way along the River Esk.
• Grosmont: Train buffs, stay an extra night in Grosmont to ride the historic steam and diesel engine trains. Trains go to the lovely seaside town of Whitby and to Pickering.

One day to go!