The Complete Pennine Way Route in 15 days

Spend your first night in this small town in the Peak District, located at the southern end of the Pennines.

It is surrounded by extensive fields where you can tour the Kinder Scout Plateau in the north or the peak in the east of town. You can also take an excursion along the River Noe.

Overnight in Edale

Today's route will take you to the Peak District National Park via the Kinder Scout moorland plateau and National Nature Reserve. To ascend, you must do so along the rocky path known as Jacob's Ladder.

If the day allows, from the top you will have beautiful views of the city of Manchester, Winter Hill or the Snowdonia Mountains in north Wales. 

Later, taking Snake Pass, you will reach Bleaklow Moor. From there you can see the town of Glossop, where, after a short transfer, you will spend the night.  

Overnight in Glossop

Today's route is one of the most challenging and long due to steep ascents and descents to the market town of Hebden Bridge. 

Head to the north-western part of the Peak District National Park to Lad's Leap and Laddow Rocks, two stunning cliffs in the middle of this walk amid wild moors, such as Black Hill, the highest point today. 

Continue until you find a trio of reservoirs, walk along the shores of Torside, the largest manmade lake in Longdendale Valley, and climb to Standedge. Then descend through the green fields of the Calder Valley and along the Rochdale Canal to Hebden Bridge.

Overnight in Hebden Bridge

Walk along the Rochdale Canal to leave the town, and following the route, you will reach the village of Colden. Cross the River Colden Water, and then you'll reach the extensive Heptonstall Moor countryside.

To the north, you'll encounter the Gorple and Walshaw Dean Reservoirs, and later there are the ruins of the renowned Top Withins Farm, which is said to have been Emily Bronte’s inspiration for the novel Wuthering Heights.

After visiting this tourist spot, follow Stanbury Moor from where you have a panoramic view of Ponden Reservoir and the village where you will stay.  

Overnight in Ponden

Today you'll enter the Yorkshire Dales National Park, 1,760 km2 along the Pennines and home to numerous geographical features such as England's three largest peaks: Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.

Return to the Pennine Way towards Thornton-in-Craven. Walk over Ickornshaw Moor, the moorland area of Cowling and Ickornshaw, in the company of grouse, curlews and golden plovers. Border these villages until you reach Lothersdale, the last town of Pennine Mill.  

Cross Thornton-in-Craven and then head north to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Britain's longest. Take the towpath and visit St. Andrew's Church in Gargrave, before crossing the River Aire and reaching the village of Malham.

Overnight in Malham

Today you will have walks across moors with some ascents. The first is on Old Bess Hill, from where you also will find great panoramas over Ponden. Then, you must climb the fields of Oakworth Moor and then Ickornshaw Moor and then descend to the village of Lothersdale.

You will once again have an ascent to Pinhaw Beacon to the small village of Thornton-in-Craven. Along a section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, you'll reach East Marton, renowned by the double-arched bridge over that canal. 

In the middle of heather fields, grazing farms and quiet trails you will reach Gargrave, in the Craven district and starting point to visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Overnight in Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Start the journey through ancient Roman roads to the Ling Gill Nature Reserve, a narrow valley crossed by Cam Beck, a tributary of the River Ribble.

Head to Wensleydale, home to the famous cheese, on a long ascent through the valleys, then descend to the village of Hawes. Admire the views of the largest waterfall on the Hardraw Force path, before reaching Yorkshire Dales' third highest mountain, Great Shunner Fell.

From there, look at the views of Wensleydale to the south and Ribblesdale to the southwest, before crossing Swaledale's limestone valley and reaching one of the most beautiful villages on the Pennine Way: Thwaite.  

Overnight in Thwaite

Cross the steep trails on Kisdon Hill, the green fields and its pine slopes, towards the River Swale. Admire North Gang Scar to the west as you walk through the valley of abandoned farms to the village of Keld.

Climb through the Stones Dale Valley to Tan Hill and visit Tan Hill Inn, the highest 17th-century accommodation in the British Isles at 528 metres of altitude, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Climb the hills and then descend the moorland area of Cotherstone Moor, a site of scientific interest, until you reach Baldersdale. Cross the Lunedale Valley and reach the small Market town of Middleton-in-Teesdale.

Overnight in Middleton-in-Teesdale

A walk along the River Tees takes you to the stunning High Force Waterfalls. Stroll through the woods and admire the spectacular view, before traversing the Upper Teesdale Nature Reserve.

Across the riverside path and Falcon Clints viewpoint, you reach the U-shaped High Cup Nick glacial valley which creates a deep chasm on the Pennines slopes. 

Listen to the roar of the 180-metre-long Cauldron Snout Waterfall, the longest in England, before descending to the village of Dufton, from where we'll take you to your place of accommodation in Appleby-in-Westmorland.

Overnight in Appleby-in-Westmorland

Today is the most challenging day on the Pennine Way: you'll climb about 1,000 metres up to the highest point in England outside the Lake District. Walk up Dufton Pike and climb through the valley to the Threlkeld Side mining area.

Take the long ascent trail to the Knock Fell Hills and admire the views of the Great Dun Fell. Explore a section of moors and then continue through the famous Cross Fell mountain range, before descending to the village of Garrigill.

Follow the South Tyne River route to Alston, with picturesque cobblestoned streets, located in a conservation area.  

Overnight in Alston

Cross the flooded area in Hartley before climbing the wet summit of Blenkinsopp Common amid zigzag paths, fields, farms, walls and bridges. Follow Maiden Way over Hartleyburn Common and Glendue Fell and visit the archaeological deposits from its construction.

The trail takes you to Greenhead, to Hadrian's Wall, from the 2nd century, built by order of the Roman emperor Hadrian to defend the then territory of Britannia, maintain economic and peace, stability, and mark the border of the Roman Empire.

Overnight in Greenhead

Next to the 12th-century Thirlwall Castle on the banks of the River Tipal, take Greenhead's main road to the north, walk along Hadrian's Wall and visit the ancient Crawfield Quarry and Milecastle, a small Roman fortification. 

Visit the photographed Sycamore Gap tree near Castle Nick, or take the trail to Once Brewed, a small town. Deviate and visit the Roman fort at Housesteads before heading north to the village of Simonburn. Cross the Haughton Common moors and walk parallel to the North Tyne River to the village of Bellingham.

Overnight in Bellingham

Cross several miles of heather moors and coniferous forests through the small village of Blakehopeburnhaugh, at the northern end of Kielder Forest.

Walk along the ascent path along the River Rede to the village of Byrness, England's last village before reaching the Cheviot Hills and entering Scotland. It is located in the heart of Northumberland's Dark Sky Park, Europe's largest park for sky-gazing thanks to its extraordinary visibility.

Overnight in Byrness

Take this walk along England's loneliest hills, along swampy trails and sheep grazing farms to the Cheviot Hills. Climb to the top of Windy Gyle and venture to the marker at the top called Russell's Cairn.

Continue the ascent up the hills and marshy trails to the settlement of Kirk Yetholm. Visit its two small villages, Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, the former 'gypsy palace', right next to the private house known as Kirk Yetholm Green, or one of its only two pubs.

Overnight in Kirk Yetholm

For your return from Kirk Yetholm, take a bus to Berwick-upon Tweed station and then a train to the city of your choice.  

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