The oldest and most iconic National Trail offers a rugged taste of Northern England – stretching from the Peak District to the Scottish Borders on a challenging but rewarding route of remarkable contrasts.
About the Trail
The Pennine Way stretches for 268 miles (435km) following Britain’s rocky spine from the hills of the Derbyshire Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales, through the stunning Swaledale Valley, across the North Pennines and over Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland to the Cheviot Hills, ending in the Scottish Borders in Kirk Yetholm.
There are route descriptions available here.
With a combined ascent that exceeds the height of Mount Everest, the Pennine Way is arguably the most challenging National Trail in England and the route is recommended for experienced walkers who want a unique experience – but you don’t have to walk it all at once.
The Pennine Way is hilly and often remote. The terrain is varied and in some places the paths are smooth and firm, but in others the path may be narrow and uneven or wet and boggy. It’s best to take waterproofs and plenty of dry socks.
Watch the video
To really make the most of your trip, schedule a rest day at places such as Hebden Bridge, Skipton, Hawes, Appleby or the Hadrian’s Wall area, and spend some time exploring.
The best months to walk the Pennine Way are from mid-May to September, when the weather is usually better, however the Trail can be walked all year round. Expect snow on the northern sections in winter months.
You can spend as little or as long as you like walking on the Pennine Way National Trail.
The Trail is 268 miles (435km) long, but chances are, that if you walk from one end to the other you will walk nearer to 253 miles. Some people like to walk the full length between Edale and Kirk Yetholm. Others like to spend a week, a few days or even a day at a time taking in spectacular lengths of the route. Most full-length walkers allow 16 to 19 days to walk the Way.
Popular Itineraries
Explore the Pennine Way for three days, a week or even longer. Find inspiration for your walking adventure using suggested itineraries, here –
1. Pennine Way: Edale to Kirk Yetholm
2. Pennine Way: Skipton to Appleby-in-Westmorland
Support the Pennine Way
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National Trails are looked after by dedicated teams to the highest standards. Keeping them in top condition doesn’t come cheap and budgets are under pressure. If you have had a memorable walk along the Pennine Way and would like to give something back, please consider making a donation. 100% of your donation will go towards securing the future of the Pennine Way.
Photography – 6oth Anniversary celebrations!
Send us your Pennine Way photos – email them to: PW60photos@yorkshiredales.org.uk
We are creating a piece of artwork for our year of celebration in 2025 to represent how we are all inspired by the Pennine Way. We want your photographs from the trail; not necessarily traditional landscapes but photos that really show the grit, joy, mud and madness of the trail. Selfies are most welcome as are photos which you feel are inspirational – maybe your lowest of lows or your highest of highs on the trails.
Any photos selected will then be collaged into a piece of artwork (containing up to 1000 individual photos) which will form a centrepiece for our 60th anniversary celebrations. It will be displayed in our rolling exhibition ‘A Trail of Inspiration’ (coming 2025 – more information soon!); displayed online, and hopefully available to purchase as a postcard or print.
Please note by emailing your photo you confirm that:
- You are the sole author of the image/s and it is your original work
- You own the copyright and any other intellectual property rights of each image
- Have the permission of anyone pictured in each image (or, where the image shows any persons under the age of 18, the consent of their parent/guardian) for the use rights we require here, and will indemnify us against any claim made by any third parties in respect of any infringement.
- You have not licensed or disposed of any rights that would conflict with its use in this context.
- You have received any necessary permissions from the owner(s) of objects, including buildings, included in each image submitted. and will indemnify us against any claim made by any third parties in respect of any infringement.
- You consent to its use in artwork, exhibition, online and any future use related to the Pennine Way 60th celebrations which may include the production of a postcard/print.
- You consent to the photo being passed on to our artist Will Daykin
- We reserve the right not to use photos and any images not used will be deleted.
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