"This 190-mile national long-distance route crosses northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, passing through three national parks and a wide variety of terrain. Walkers encounter beaches and headlands, lakeside footpaths, forest tracks, stone walkways and occasional country roads, and many itineraries split the route into daily sections ending in villages with pubs or B&Bs. A common tradition is to pick up a pebble on the west coast to carry across the country and deposit on the east; overnight options emphasize small, convivial hospitality (pub rooms, country inns, and bed-and-breakfasts), packed hiker lunches, and hearty full English breakfasts before long days of walking. The route is very popular with domestic and international hikers who prefer rural scenery and village life over cities." - Mike Nolan