A Fine Finish

Day 16: Grosmont to Robin Hood's Bay
Miles today: 14.05
Total miles: 218.75
Total steps C2C: 507,677

If anyone is considering walking the C2C, I would suggest doing the last leg of it from Grosmont to Robin Hood's Bay to see if this kind of walk is for you.

It is a taste of everything the route has to offer starting with a 30 degree grade climb. It then moves into a gorgeous forest and nature preserve along the River Esk in Littlebeck, followed by pasture paths that are quite boggy (only ankle deep though!) and onto a country road. Then you see the true essence of the C2C; a road sign that says Robin Hood's Bay 3-1/2 miles--but you don't take that way. You get off the road and walk a circuitous six mile path along the coast. Wainwright was never about the direct route!

We were more than ready for this journey to end so we cut the walk short and took the road. We were keeping with the spirit of the C2C and one of the reasons the trail is not way-marked. Wainwright wanted people to make their own paths across the country. So we took the liberty and the straight track to the end!

After arriving in RHB, we stopped by the B & B to drop off our backpacks before going down the very steep hill to the sea. We dropped the stones we'd carried all the way across from the Irish Sea then dipped our boots in the water. It was pretty emotional and we were excited to be finished.

Following tradition, we walked up to Wainwright's Bar and signed the logbook of finishers. We were happy to see that our trail friends Mark and David and also Ed and Andy had signed before us. Too bad we didn't all get there together. It would have made it extra special. After a pint of Wainwright ale, we walked back up one more steep, steep hill for a nap before dinner.