Coast to Coast passport to inspire walkers and boost business
The 140-page document encourages hikers to collect stamps at 29 locations along the path, including shops, pubs and visitor attractions, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.It has been developed by volunteers from Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company (CIC), with funding provided by councils, national park authorities, businesses and the Wainwright Society.Leader of North Yorkshire Council, Carl Les, said the passport gave walkers the chance "to have a lasting memento of their achievement" as well as a "boost to the local economy".
Following a £5.8m investment from Natural England, the Coast-to-Coast route is set to become a National Trail next year, which gives it special status as a route showcasing some of Britain's most scenic landscape. Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak, who successfully campaigned for the designation, said: "Every coast to coaster should have their passport. "It will form part of a walker's memory of this unique trek across the North of England and will unlock some great benefits for their journey."A spokesperson for the Wainwright Society said: "As Alfred Wainwright said of the walk he devised 'surely there cannot be a finer itinerary for a long-distance walk'."
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
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