Our family spent several weeks in England this summer, part of it in the Lake District. My son, who is an avid hiker, has it in his head that he wants to hike the Coast to Coast walk sketched out by Alfred Wainwright. He wants to do it by himself in a year or two and I was hoping to hear from those of you who have actually done this walk.
I have heard that the route is well laid out, and that there are many places to stay along the way. He'll be 17 next summer when he's thinking of doing the walk. He's a very responsible kid who has good judgement and I would be staying in the Lakes while he walks so I won't be too far if he needs help.
So...those of you who have done this walk...is this something that a 17 year old kid would be able to pull off by himself? Are they any portions of the walk that would be "hazardous" or that would make you hesitate with a teenager? Are there any "seedy" areas that the walk goes through or places that should be avoided? I know the Lake District very well, as we have been hiking in this area for years, and this part of the walk doesn't concern me at all...I'm just unfamiliar with the towns and areas along the way east of the Lakes out to the eastern coast. I can't imagine there are too many places in this part of England that would be sketchy but I thought I'd ask those of you who know!
Any insight would be helpful. Thanks!