Pennine Way National Trail

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In March 2007 we walked a whole day and a half on the Pennine Way. Little did we know that those few miles would scratch an itch, and that over the next three and a half years, we'd walk the whole thing in many stages.

The oldest National Trail in Britain, and perhaps the most famous, the Pennine Way links Edale in Derbyshire with Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.

Its 267 miles of walking in the Pennines and Cheviots is, perhaps, best known for the bogs, mud and rain. Although that's not all it offers. There's wild moorland too.

See You In Kirk Yetholm

Read about my journey in book format. Available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, Kobo, Nook, Google Play and more.

Pennine Way Introduction

Published 28 April 2015

Starting a journey across the backbone of Britain.

Pennine Way Stage 1: Edale to Crowden

Published 30 April 2015

From the Old Nags Head in Edale, the Pennine Way heads over to a place of walking history, and some big stones.

Pennine Way Stage 2: Crowden to Diggle

Published 6 May 2015

Sherpas carry some luggage as the trail heads over to a morass of peaty pools, and past a famous snack van.

Pennine Way Stage 3: Diggle to Hebden Bridge

Published 13 May 2015

The rain is coming down, providing the perfect look for a trip across stone-topped moors, over the M62 and up to Stoodley Pike.

Pennine Way Stage 4: Hebden Bridge to Ponden

Published 19 May 2015

The wild moorland throws up some surprises in the form of a mecca for Japanese tourists who have all come to see a place that certainly isn’t Wuthering Heights.

Pennine Way Stage 5: Ponden to Earby

Published 21 May 2015

Ponden is left behind for a journey over the moors, past a pub that is no more, and along a highly ‘dangerous’ old railway line.

Pennine Way Stage 6: Earby to Gargrave

Published 27 May 2015

Grassy fields, canals and farmland? Is this really the Pennine Way?

Pennine Way Stage 7: Gargrave to Malham

Published 3 June 2015

Heavy rain and a dead sheep. Perhaps not the best way to start walking the Pennine Way.

Pennine Way Stage 8: Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Published 10 June 2015

When you start the day with Malham Cove, you may think things could only get worse. You’d be wrong.

Pennine Way Stage 9: Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hawes

Published 14 October 2015

We enter caving country and traverse Roman Roads with views of mighty railway structures.

Pennine Way Stage 10: Hawes to Tan Hill Inn

Published 21 October 2015

A day of walking that’s basically a warm up to a visit to the best pub on the Pennine Way. And perhaps anywhere.

Pennine Way Stage 11: Tan Hill Inn to Middleton-in-Teesdale

Published 28 October 2015

With a heavy heart it’s time to depart the Tan Hill Inn, and head over the wild moorland of the North East.

Pennine Way Stage 12: Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton

Published 4 November 2015

Water, waterfalls, moorland and a hidden gem nestling in the moorland near a firing range.

Pennine Way Stage 13: Dufton to Garrigill

Published 11 November 2015

A couple of years after last being there, there’s a return to Dufton, and a tour of snow covered hills with hidden radar stations, followed by a closed pub.

Pennine Way Stage 14: Garrigill to Slaggyford

Published 18 November 2015

If there is to be disappointment on any section of the Pennine Way it is likely to be found on this one. Or so said the guide book.

Pennine Way Stage 15: Slaggyford to Greenhead

Published 25 November 2015

Featureless moorland and muddy paths pave the way for a triumphant entry into one of the most famous areas of Roman Britain.

Pennine Way Stage 16: Greenhead to Once Brewed

Published 2 December 2015

A lie-in, the clocks going back, terrible service in a pub and pouring down rain can do little to spoil the fact that we’d made it to Hadrian’s Wall!

Pennine Way Stage 17: Once Brewed to Bellingham

Published 6 January 2016

It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring. But despite the rain, two hikers head off Hadrian’s Wall, and out into the wilderness of Northumberland.

Pennine Way Stage 18: Bellingham to Byrness

Published 13 January 2016

Mist is filling the air, and rain is falling, as we head into one of the most remote parts of the Pennine Way. And all just in time for some extremely inclement weather.

Pennine Way: Snowed In at Byrness

Published 20 January 2016

A day which should have been spent traversing the Cheviots and doing the final push to Kirk Yetholm, is instead spent looking at fallen snow and playing board games.

Pennine Way Stage 19: Byrness to Windy Gyle

Published 27 January 2016

After being thwarted at the last hurdle, we were back in Byrness and this time the weather wasn’t going to stop us getting to Barrowburn Farm on the penultimate day of our Pennine Way walk.

Pennine Way Stage 20: Windy Gyle to Kirk Yetholm

Published 3 February 2016

The end is near. Kirk Yetholm is but a few more miles away. First though there’s the Cheviot to visit, the Hanging Stone to admire and a strange man to escape.

Pennine Way: Epilogue

Published 10 February 2016

Four years after finishing the Pennine Way, and many more since we’d last been there, we revisit old haunts and say hello again to an old friend.

Planning your Pennine Way walk

Published 29 November 2011

Everything you need to know (probably) if you fancy walking between Edale and Kirk Yetholm on the granddaddy of UK long distance footpaths.

Pennine Way National Trail - the trail highlights

Pennine Way Gallery

Published 6 February 2011

From Edale to Kirk Yetholm, covered in photographs from five trips between 2007 and 2010.

At the end of the Pennine Way

Published 7 October 2012

What to expect when you get there.

At the start of the Pennine Way

Published 13 May 2018

Edale offers a choice of starting points. A pub. Or a gate.

Also about Pennine Way National Trail

Farewell Sycamore Gap

Published 1 October 2023

A North East landmark is now no more.

National Trails – from old to new

Published 25 June 2023

In 2025 we’ll be getting a new National Trail. But how long have the others been around?

The Pennine Challenge

Published 6 March 2022

In 1984 the BBC challenged four teenagers to walk the Pennine Way. for a four part documentary that chronicles the Pennine Way in the early 1980s.

Which walk should I do?

Published 7 July 2019

Every now and then, someone emails me to ask which walk they should do. Now there’s an open ended question, I think, because it totally depends on who you are and what you like. And if you fall into one these categories, you’ll find your answer here! And if you don’t fall into one of these categories, you might not.

Will the real length of the Pennine Way, please stand up?

Published 2 June 2019

When is a 268 mile long walk, not actually 268 miles long? When it’s the Pennine Way!

The problems with long distance walking when you have young children

Published 4 February 2018

Is there a reason I haven’t walked a particular trail? Yes, absolutely. But that’s no indication on the quality of the the trail.

At the start of the Pennine Way

Published 7 September 2016

What will greet you when you arrive at the start of the Pennine Way in Edale.

Another 15 Things You’ll Never Forget About Walking the Pennine Way

Published 27 April 2016

Because the Pennine Way is an amazing walk, and this is a list of reasons why.

15 Things You’ll Never Forget About Walking the Pennine Way

Published 17 February 2016

It’s easy to think of the Pennine Way as 268 miles of drudgery, yet there are some fine moments on the walk and some great memories. Memories such as these…

50 Years of the Pennine Way

Published 24 April 2015

Get out the party hats and balloons, for the Pennine Way is 50 years old.

High Cup Nick

Published 4 January 2015

A natural wonder on the Pennine Way.

5 Books That Will Make Great Christmas Presents

Published 26 November 2014

Need some Christmas inspiration? Here’s five superb walking related books handpicked by the Rambling Man team

A Room With A View

Published 18 May 2014

Staying in the remote Barrowburn B&B, near the Pennine Way

Jumping the stream

Published 15 December 2013

Reasons to re-walk the Pennine Way

The Tan Hill Inn – the best pub on The Pennine Way

Published 26 June 2013

A duck resting in a tin bath next to a roaring fire? What’s not to love about this pub?

A huddled lunch under a bridge

Published 16 December 2012

When seeking shelter leads to desperate measures.

Spot the Pennine Way map error

Published 14 December 2012

Take a look at the map from Simon Armitage’s book, Walking Home, on the top of the page and see if you can see what the error is.

At the end of the Pennine Way

Published 7 October 2012

What to expect when you get there.

Look it’s NOT Wurthering Heights. OKAY?

Published 30 September 2012

The surreal point of the Pennine Way

Kirk Yetholm Hostel saved

Published 17 July 2012

Whilst I was off galavanting around Scotland, a piece of good news was announced – the news that Kirk Yetholm hostel is to re-open.

Choosing between three walks

Published 10 May 2012

I recently had an email that posed me an interesting question. They were hoping to do a long distance walk in 2013 but weren’t sure which to do.

I’ve sunbathed on Kinder, been burned to a cinder

Published 24 April 2012

80 years ago, on a Sunday in 1932, 400 people went for a ramble. The Kinder Trespass was defining moment in British walking history.

Five Years of Walking

Published 3 April 2012

There are times when you can look back and spot a life changing moment. And who would have thought that, for me, it would involve a day and a half on the Pennine Way during a particularly soggy part of March in 2007?

Looking wistfully at the hills

Published 18 December 2011

December isn’t the best time for walking. Too many Christmas parties to attend, shopping to do. I always seem to spend more time in the pub than outdoors.

The Summit is in Sight!

Published 13 November 2011

After spending lots of time climbing a fell, there can be no better experience than finding it doused in cloud with nothing to see.

Approaching A Cairn

Published 6 November 2011

You spend ages going up a big hill where you should be able to see an amazing view, only to get to the top and found it shrouded in cloud.

The setting sun behind Dufton’s trees

Published 30 October 2011

Throughout October I’ve been doing sunsets in A Sunday Picture and here’s the final one.

Peaty pools look very nice when you don’t have to walk through them

Published 11 September 2011

If there’s a photograph that could sum up the Pennine Way, it’s probably this one.