At the start of the Pennine Way

I wonder how many walking trails start outside a pub. I don’t know of many. Most start at stations, or in town centres. But the Pennine Way starts outside a pub. Ends pretty close to one as well.

Of course, there won’t be many people popping into the Old Nag’s Head in Edale before setting forth on their epic journey north. But if are doing the Pennine Way, and can arrive in Edale the night before, it’s well worth popping in for a pre-walk drink before you go. You can even stay the night in one of the pub’s B&B rooms.

Mind you, there’s also some competition for the ‘official starting point’. A little walk away you’ll find another sign, this one with the National Trail logo on it. And it too declares that it’s the official starting point of the trail. It’s rather hidden. Blink and you’d miss it, although there’s a lovely gate there too.

So which is the true start of the walk? Well, the Ordnance Survey and the map on the official Pennine Way website both show the trail starting next to the pub. It’s bold, it’s brassy and you can have your picture taken next to the sign. And that’s good enough for me.