MARK The Pennine Way
The Pennine Way is England's original national trail — a 435 km journey along the spine of Britain from the Peak District to the Scottish Borders. It's wild, atmospheric, and challenging, crossing moorland, gritstone edges, limestone valleys, remote uplands, and historic market towns.
The full trail guide — stats, the route day by day, what it really feels like, and the planning detail you need to walk it.
At a Glance
- Best Season: May–September
- Terrain: Moorland, gritstone edges, limestone valleys, remote uplands
The Route
🏔️ Route Character
The Pennine Way is the big one — a serious, exposed journey along the backbone of England. It starts hard on Kinder Scout, crosses the Yorkshire Dales past Malham Cove and Pen-y-ghent, climbs the highest point on the trail at Cross Fell, follows Hadrian's Wall, and finishes over the Cheviots in the Scottish Borders.
This is a trail for experienced walkers or committed beginners ready for a big adventure — long days, heavy packs, and weather that turns fast.
🧰 Route Breakdown
- Day 1 — Edale → Crowden — Kinder Scout, Kinder Downfall and Bleaklow — a tough, iconic start in the Peak District.
- Day 2 — Crowden → Standedge — Remote moorland, reservoirs and gritstone edges.
- Day 3 — Standedge → Hebden Bridge — Open moors, Stoodley Pike, and a steep descent into Hebden Bridge.
- Day 4 — Hebden Bridge → Haworth / Cowling — Rolling farmland and atmospheric moors in Brontë country.
- Day 5 — Cowling → Malham — Gentle farmland, limestone scenery, and a finish at Malham Cove.
- Day 6 — Malham → Horton-in-Ribblesdale — Malham Tarn, Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent — a big, scenic Dales day.
- Day 7 — Horton → Hawes — Gentle valley walking into Wensleydale.
- Day 8 — Hawes → Keld — Great Shunner Fell and into Swaledale — classic Dales scenery.
- Day 9 — Keld → Middleton-in-Teesdale — Remote moorland, waterfalls and Teesdale.
- Day 10 — Middleton → Dufton — High Force, Cauldron Snout, and the approach to Cross Fell.
- Day 11 — Dufton → Alston — Cross Fell — the highest point on the trail — serious mountain terrain.
- Day 12 — Alston → Greenhead — Gentle moors, farmland and the start of Hadrian's Wall.
- Day 13 — Greenhead → Bellingham — Hadrian's Wall and rolling countryside.
- Day 14 — Bellingham → Byrness — Remote forests and quiet terrain.
- Day 15 — Byrness → Kirk Yetholm — The Cheviots — a big, wild, superb final day.
Practical
⚠️ Difficulty & Hazards
- Navigation: Partly waymarked — map, compass and GPX essential in poor visibility.
- Terrain: Bog, moorland, rocky paths and long remote sections.
- Fitness: A serious undertaking — long days, heavy packs, sustained mileage.
- Weather: The Pennines are exposed — strong winds and rapid changes; check MWIS daily.
- Accommodation: Hostels, B&Bs, campsites and occasional bothies — book ahead in Edale, Malham and Hawes.
🌠️ Who This Route Suits
- Experienced walkers
- Committed beginners ready for a big adventure
- Anyone wanting England's original National Trail
Not ideal for
- Walkers wanting gentle, waymarked valley walking — this is wild and exposed
📱 Parking & Logistics
- Getting there: Start at Edale, served by train from Sheffield and Manchester.
- Finish: Kirk Yetholm is reached by bus from Kelso.
- Resupply: Plan carefully — several long remote stretches between towns.
🧰 GPX & Map Notes
On OS Explorer maps — the route crosses many sheets. A GPX is strongly recommended for the moorland sections.
⭐ MX Summary: England's original National Trail — 435 km along the spine of Britain through the Peak District, Dales, North Pennines and Cheviots. Challenging, atmospheric, iconic.