The Complete Pennine Way Route in 19 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

Walk along the shores of Torside Reservoir, the largest man-made lake in Longendale Valley, to reach Laddow Rocks, where a long ascent awaits. Once you get the top, you'll have amazing views of the Peak District.

Following the route, you will reach another of the moors in this region: Black Hill. You will descend through Wessenden Valley to reach Standedge, where the Peak District National Park ends. From here, you will head to Diggle for the night.

Overnight in Diggle

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 takes you to the aforementioned Malham Cove, a huge cliff 80 m high by 300 m wide. Once at the top, the views over the entire valley are breath-taking.  

Continue north to Malham Tarn, England's highest glacial lake and part of the eight alkaline lakes in the European Highlands. You'll climb Fountains Fell at 668 metres above sea level, and reach Silverdale Valley.

Once there, you'll climb Pen-y-ghent, the lowest of Yorkshire's three peaks, to 694 m. Before descending to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, stop to admire Silverdale Valley and the surrounding hills.

Overnight in Gargrave

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 takes you to the aforementioned Malham Cove, a huge cliff 80 m high by 300 m wide. Once at the top, the views over the entire valley are breath-taking.  

Continue north to Malham Tarn, England's highest glacial lake and part of the eight alkaline lakes in the European Highlands. You'll climb Fountains Fell at 668 metres above sea level, and reach Silverdale Valley.

Once there, you'll climb Pen-y-ghent, the lowest of Yorkshire's three peaks, to 694 m. Before descending to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, stop to admire Silverdale Valley and the surrounding hills.

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.

Stop and admire the views of the beautiful architecture found at the Ribblehead Viaduct (or Batty Moss Viaduct) from the 19th century, the longest and third tallest structure on the Settle-Carlisle line, which has appeared in films such as No Blade of Grass (1970) and Sightseers (2012).

Head to Wensleydale, home to the famous cheese, on a long ascent through the valleys, then descend to the village of Hawes, not without first admiring the views of the route's largest waterfall: Hardraw Force, located in a wooded ravine and known as England's highest uninterrupted waterfall.

Overnight in Hawes

Delve into the sprawling Wensleydale Valley, and the River Ure Valley on the east side of the Pennines, and then climb the highest mountain at this point and the third highest in the Yorkshire Dales: Great Shunner Fell. 

The descent takes you to Swaledale, another valley in the region, and then to the village of Thwaite. Follow the tour through the hillside of the small Kidson Hill, from where you can see the River Swale and your next accommodation.

Overnight in Keld

Do you want to have a beer or have lunch at the highest pub in England? Well, this is your chance. Get to know Tan Hill Inn, which you access across Stonesdale Moor, a swampy valley and some streams. 

From this point, the Northern Pennines begin, an Area of Exceptional Natural Beauty (AONB) and designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Advance across God's Bridge, 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 lonely, less-populated hills, through swampy trails and sheep grazing farms to the Cheviot Hills.

Climb the moor and take the alternative route to the Chew Green Roman camp, a scheduled monument discovered in 1930, located within the Otterburn Military Training Area.

Walk to the top of Windy Gyle Mountain ,and be surrounded by vultures, black grouse, royal eagles and its fabulous wilderness. Venture to the marker stone at the top called Russell's Cairn, and take the route south from Windy Gyle to Trows Farm, before returning to Byrness.

Overnight in Byrness

Start the last leg of this beautiful route with a short transfer to Trows Farm. Today you will have ascents to the higher hills over marshy trails with the reward of the most spectacular views.

It descends to the village of Kirk Yetholm, on the Scottish borders, located between the River Bowmont and the edge of the Cheviot Hills. Visit its two small villages, Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, the former 'Gypsy Palace', right next to Kirk Yetholm Green, a private house, 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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