- Time of past OR future Camino
- .
The Pennine Way runs up the spine of England for 270 miles from Edale near Sheffield to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The St Cuthbert's Way passes through Kirk Yetholm on its 100km way from Melrose to Holy Island.
This August I wanted to see whether I could take a long walk in England which ended at a place of Pilgrimage. So I walked the Pennine Way and turned right at its conclusion and walked the 30 miles to Holy Island.
The Pennine Way is a hard walk, especially in poor weather. I took an ultralight tent and a small stove in my 50L 'camino' pack and mixed camping with youth hostels and camping barns. I didn't especially look for points of pilgrimage - and I didn't really find any. The most awe-inspiring moment was arriving atop the astounding glacial valley of High Cup Nick. It was a moment of wonder.
My camera gave out during the trip so half of it was documented on a cheapish mobile phone
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peregrino_tom/sets/72157646671356830/
Although I only walked half of the St Cuthbert's Way it was delightful and reminded me in some respects of the camino Ingles - they are about the same length and have similar hill challenges, with the SCW being perhaps a little gentler. There are even places in the official guide to add your 'sellos' in each town/village - but receiving the certificate of completion is no longer dependent on obtaining these.
http://stcuthbertsway.info
I will definitely go back and do the whole of it at some point. There is nothing quite like the 3km walk across the tidal sands and mud flats, especially if you do it in your bare feet, following the perfectly lined staves to the island
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peregrino_tom/14894406368/in/set-72157646666058057
If you are thinking of planning to walk the SCW the first thing to check before you set your dates is the tides!
http://www.northumberlandlife.org/holy-island/
cheers, tom
This August I wanted to see whether I could take a long walk in England which ended at a place of Pilgrimage. So I walked the Pennine Way and turned right at its conclusion and walked the 30 miles to Holy Island.
The Pennine Way is a hard walk, especially in poor weather. I took an ultralight tent and a small stove in my 50L 'camino' pack and mixed camping with youth hostels and camping barns. I didn't especially look for points of pilgrimage - and I didn't really find any. The most awe-inspiring moment was arriving atop the astounding glacial valley of High Cup Nick. It was a moment of wonder.
My camera gave out during the trip so half of it was documented on a cheapish mobile phone
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peregrino_tom/sets/72157646671356830/
Although I only walked half of the St Cuthbert's Way it was delightful and reminded me in some respects of the camino Ingles - they are about the same length and have similar hill challenges, with the SCW being perhaps a little gentler. There are even places in the official guide to add your 'sellos' in each town/village - but receiving the certificate of completion is no longer dependent on obtaining these.
http://stcuthbertsway.info
I will definitely go back and do the whole of it at some point. There is nothing quite like the 3km walk across the tidal sands and mud flats, especially if you do it in your bare feet, following the perfectly lined staves to the island
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peregrino_tom/14894406368/in/set-72157646666058057
If you are thinking of planning to walk the SCW the first thing to check before you set your dates is the tides!
http://www.northumberlandlife.org/holy-island/
cheers, tom