⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–30 Management Plan landing page.
Maintain and promote the Pennine Trails and other recognised long-distance routes, identify opportunities for new multi-user routes, and campaign for the Coast-to-Coast path to become a National Trail by 2024.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: The Coast to Coast Path was formally designated as a National Trail by the Secretary of State for the Environment in October 2022. Implementation of the route is now well underway and is scheduled for completion by March 2026.
In 2024 works were carried out to install new flagging along 920m of the Path at White Mossy Hill and at Reeth Bottoms. Legal works continued to establish the route with 6 Public Path Orders completed and 5 Creation Agreements awaiting authorisation.
Press Releases and related articles:
11 March 2025 – Quarry thanked as Coast to Coast work pauses
25 February 2025 – 268 miles of inspiration: Artists reimagine the Pennine Way
13 August 2024 – Major work on Coast to Coast trail12 August 2022 – New National Trail Status Awarded For Coast to Coast Route
30 July 2021 – Coast to Coast National Trail Proposal To Be Developed
1 September 2020 – New bridge for Cringley Bottom
Rationale: Multi-day routes that pass through the National Park’ include two National Trails (Pennine Way and Pennine Bridleway) and significant regional routes (notably the ‘Dales Way’ and the ‘Coast-to-Coast’). The busiest sections of these routes (e.g. at Malham Cove) are used by an average of over 8,000 people per month at peak times. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people walk the whole of the Coast-to-Coast each year, with around 4,000 people completing the Dales Way. There are opportunities to make better use of these routes by a wider range of users – increasing enjoyment of the National Park and supporting the local economy.
Lead partner: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Supporting partners: Natural England; North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council; Lancashire County Council; Dales Way Association; Wainwright Society; Pennine National Trails Partnership
Further information: Dales Way National Trails
Cost over 5 years: £2,200,000 (existing National Trails) £???? (Coast-to-Coast path if designated)
Funding shortfall: £660,000. Each year a significant amount of external funding is raised to assist with the delivery of the maintenance and enhancement of the Pennine Way and Pennine Bridleway. Each individual Authority receiving a grant has to contribute on average a further 30%.
Related objectives: B1; B9; E2
Ecosystem services: Recreation; A sense of place and inspiration; A sense of history.
Trade-offs: The popularity of national trails has the potential to have impacts on tranquillity (A2); priority habitats (C1) and species (C2). Management and mitigation of these are guided by principles set out in the Special Qualities, Special Experiences document.
Baseline: National Trails: Pennine Way and Pennine Bridleway Recognised Regional Routes: Coast to Coast; Dales Way; Dales Highway; Pennine Journey; Lady Anne’s Way and the Ribble Way