The Coast to Coast Walk is unique among Britain's long-distance footpaths in that it was the invention of one man, the legendary Alfred Wainwright, and enjoys no official status like, for example, the National trails in England and Wales. Nevertheless, it has become one of Britain's most popular long-distance walks, which is hardly surprising as it traverses some of the finest walking territory in the country. Starting at St. Bees on the Cumbrian coast, the route runs for 192 miles to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea and lies, for the most part, within the boundaries of three of Britain's loveliest National Parks—the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors. As well as the main route there are also alternatives available at several points. Martin Wainwright's description of the route is divided into 15 chapters, each covering one day's walk (though alternative stopping places are identified for those who wish to spread their journey over a longer period) and each section of the route is described in detail with accompanying Ordnance Survey. There are also brief essays on features or places of particular historical or landscape interest and a useful information section at the end with details of organizations which provide advice or information on matters such as travel and accommodation. Covering one day's walk, this title features 1:25 000 Ordnance Survey mapping marked with points of interest along the route. It has full color photographs throughout and includes background information on local history, wildlife, archaeology, and landscape.