Pennine Way
The Pennine Way boasts several firsts.
It was Britain’s first official National Trail.
It also has its start point in Britain's first National Park.
And so it continues. Most people walk the trail from South to North, hence the generally accepted start point being Edale, in the heart of the Peak District.
Scenery
Spectacular scenery is a theme of The Pennine Way as it wends its path for some 258 miles through the Peak District National Park, across the Yorkshire Dales National Park and on through the Northumberland National Park.
The walking is challenging yet rewarding with much stunning scenery to take in and lots of history to soak up.
Challenging
The challenging nature of The Pennine Way means you should plan ahead and go properly equipped and skilled for your hike, regardless of whether you plan to tackle many sections, or indeed just one or two.
Walkers are advised not to walk the route alone and are advised to check the weather forecast before setting off on each section of the trail.
Accommodation and Sustenance
While many of The Pennine Way routes are very remote, the national parks it traverses are very popular, thus accommodation and sustenance should be available on various sections as you periodically enter towns and villages on the way.
However, due to the popularity of the regions concerned, you are advised to book ahead. Please note you should still take the usual food and water supplies with you onto the trail!
However, as trails of varying lengths and difficulties count themselves parts of the Pennine Way, it should be possible to find a route to suit your needs, from a day out to a weekend or a more significant walking break.
The route is carefully managed, with a dedicated Pennine Way liaison officer - his office contact number is +44 (0)113 246 9222.
Here is a summary of the Pennine Way sections:
Section | Description |
Edale | The Official Pennine Way start point. Things to do near Edale |
Edale - Crowden | Setting off from the Nag's Head in Edale, the Pennine Way climbs up onto the Dark Peak gritstone plateaux of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow. The going here is quite tough and can be very boggy, so be prepared. |
Crowden - Standedge | This section of the Pennine Way starts with a climb again, this time onto the Laddow Rocks. Boggy ground makes an appearance as you near Soldier's Lump. |
Standedge - Hebden Bridge | Flatter going for much of the section, though with some descent and climbing again as you approach Hebden Bridge. Look out for the Stoodley Spike monument, built to commemorate the end of the Napoleanic wars. |
Hebden Bridge - Ponden | After passing through the wooded countryside this section opens out onto Moorland where you find one of the many Pennine Way historical features - Top Withen, reputedly the inspiration for Heathcliffe's farmstead in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. |
Ponden - Thornton in Craven | The Pennine Way Bronte theme continues as you pass through traditional Bronte country and Haworth on your way to the village of Thornton in Craven. The going tends to be easier as much of it is through farmland, however there are also moors to cross and these can be exposed. |
Thornton in Craven - Malham | This section sees the Pennine Way pass into the Yorkshire Dales National Park as the trail passes through Airedale. With it comes a change to limestone geology that the area is famous for. |
Malham - Horton in Ribblesdale | Many spectacular sights on this section of the Pennine Way, the first being Malham Cove, a 250 ft limestone sheer cliff, topped by impressive limestone pavement. Hereafter, the trail passes into moorland and makes an ascent of the 1,191 ft Fountains Fell and then the hilltop moorland continues on to the 2,273ft Pen-y-Ghent. Care should be taken on this section as limestone potholes abound. |
Horton in Ribblesdale - Hawes | This section of the Pennine Way continues through limestone based hilltop farm and moorland following ancient drove roads. It is quite remote and you can be exposed to the elements. |
Hawes - Keld | On this section of the Pennine Way you'll discover the rolling countryside of Wenslidale and Swaledale, regarded by many to be among the Yorkshire Dales' most picturesque areas. You'll also find Hardraw Force, at almost 100ft high believed to be England's highest waterfall. The route goes on to cross the 2,340 ft Great Shunner Fell before descending into Thwaite and Keld. |
Keld - Bowes | Another Pennine Way highpoint as the route climbs the 1,732ft Tan Hill and passes England's highest pub - the Tan Hill Inn. Thereafter, you continue over Sleightholme Moor and on into Bowes. |
Bowes - Forest in Teesdale | The bleak ruggedness of Cotherstone and Hundererthwaite moors are sharply contrasted once you pass through Middleton in Teesdale and follow the river Tees, where spectacular views abound. Another Pennine Way highpoint to be viewed here, that being the striking High Force waterfall, which is indeed just one of various captivating rivers features and falls. Once the trail passes Bleabeck things open out again as you make for Forest in Teesdale. |
Forest in Teesdale - Dufton | A more traditional Pennine Way section with pretty bleak moorland to cross after the climb up past Cauldron Snout. The relatively featureless Stainmore common serves well as a blank-canvas backdrop to the striking cliffs of High Cup Nick, reached a little before you descend into Dufton. |
Dufton - Alston | Another highpoint in this section of imposing hills. Cross Fell, at 2,930ft, is the highest point on the entire Pennine Way National Trail. Just to warm you up for it, you'll need to climb Knock Fell, Great Dun Fell and Little Dun Fell on the way there, each a challenge in its own right. |
Alston - Greenhead | The Pennine Way says goodbye to the Yorkshire Dales National Park in this section, as you follow old Roman roads through the South Tyne valley and villages like Castle Nook and Slaggyford towards the northern Roman frontier of Greenhead and your first meeting with Hadrian's Wall. |
Greenhead - Steel Rigg | The Roman theme continues as you follow Hadrian's Wall to Steel Rigg. |
Steel Rigg - Bellingham | It's worth taking a mile or so detour from the official Pennine Way route on this section to visit Housteads and its impressive Roman Fort. Thereafter, the trail takes you through the Northumberland National park as you make your way up to Bellingham. You're now passing out of the Pennines and making for the Cheviots. |
Bellingham - Byrness | A relatively featureless and exposed section, at least until you make it to forest some half way along the route. There are a number of hills to cross, those being Deer Play at 1,183ft, Padon Hill at 1,240ft and Brownrigg Head at 1,191ft. Advice is that you should stock up on food and supplies at Bellingham as there is little chance to do so from here until Kirk Yetholm. |
Byrness - Clennell Street | This border crossing trail is one of The Pennine Way's more challenging sections, both in terms of remoteness of the route, and so the need to camp if staying overnight, and of exposure to the elements. You should be properly prepared for walking this section. The path follows the line of the Cheviot Hills until you reach Clennell Street, a Roman road which runs close to Border Gate. It may be worth seeking out more sheltered land on which to camp if overnighting here. |
Clennell Street - Kirk Yetholm | Again, a serious, challenging hill country section, so once more be prepared and check the weather forecast. The trail includes an ascent of the 2,676ft Cheviot, but as this is on a spur, many miss it out, satisfying themselves with the various other ascents of hills and ridges on the route. Coming off the hills into Kirk Yetholm, you should make for the Border Hotel where the Pennine Way National Trail officially ends. |
You can continue reading about other National Trails and Long Distance Walks using the links at the bottom of the page.
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