youth hostels

[jean]

I am planning to do Land's End - John O'Groats (having done the other way this August). I am planning to do it for charity with a fourteen-year-old boy who would do that to help his brother who is very handiccapped after a motor bike accident. (Cannot speak, or walk, or stand, or eat by himself and so on....if you see what I mean). My question is : is it necessary to book all the youth hostels in advance in the beginning of July? I had the route proposed by the CTC from youth hostel to youth hostel but I lost it this year at the beginning of my trip at Betty Hill or thereabout. If anybody can help me.
Thanks a lot for all information.

[Helen]

You would have to get booking now. Unfortunately, as some Hostels are closed to individuals for the winter, it will be a nightmare. I tried to get HQ to book a dozen Hostels for my south-west tour last August. I contacted them in January. Three weeks later, still had no reply. Whole thing took a ridiculous 2 months. Suggest you look into independent hostels too. You would have no problem booking Scottish Hostels on their website. Super-efficient. Best wishes.

[braz]

Bed here in the north of Lancashire for you both if you are passing through this way - we are on the CTC Le Jog route - but the day after leaving here is a tough one, heading over the hills to High Bentham - the feeling of achievement is super though when you get there! I can only endorse Helen's advice - head for the 'barns' and ignore the YHA!

[braz]

Jean, you might also like to have a look at www.independenthostelsguide.co.uk
regards, Braz

[Andy Tallis]

The Scottish hostels can be booked on the website www.syha.org.uk (but may be .co.uk) easily and they're good. On the CTC route bear in mind that they sometimes send you on silly detours. Make sure you have food with you for self catering hostels (I think Steps Bridge and Wanlockhead at least were a long way from anywhere.)
As others have said - get booking ASAP.
I believe Tongue hostel in Scotland (which the CTC route may use) is closed so if you don't want to do 100+m on the last day then Helmsdale may be an option (if you're prepared to use the A9 - I don't think it's too bad.)
Travel light and good luck, especially to the 14 year old! That's very young to be doinjg it!

[jean]

Thank you Braz, as a matter of fact, doing John O'Groats-land's End this August I went from high bentham to slaidburn and I stayed at the Hark Bounty. It is indeed quite a challenge that ride....but this time I would do Slaidburn to High Bentham with the wind in my back.....hopefully.....

[braz]

Coming south FROM Bentham - it's all downhill that way, Jean! I'm just north of Bashall Eaves, so you might have passed the end of our driveway!

We have recently nipped up to JOG from here - no time to do all of the end to end (again!) this year - it's a round 500 miles from here, so just the three days. (Gulp! - yes, I'm joking! - too long in the tooth now for that sort of speed any more!)

regards, braz@stennack.co.uk

[jean]

Did you make a mistake in the link about the independent youth hostels? I cannot get it. Well, from Bentham to Slaidburn there are quite a few climbs though.....
What do you mean by forget the YHA and head for the barns?
Thanks.

[sportyman531]

Scottish Independent Hostels are at www.hostel-scotland.co.uk don't know about English ones.

[braz]

Jean - mail me at braz@stennack.co.uk and I'll send you the link. And yes, I know, Bentham to Slaidburn is hard! - just testing!