The Full Pennine Way
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a thrilling 20-day journey through the heart of England and Scotland, traversing picturesque landscapes, quaint villages, and historical sites. This multi-day tour is designed for the adventurous spirit, offering a unique blend of hiking, sightseeing, and cultural immersion. From the charming village of Edale to the end of the Pennine Way in Kirk Yetholm, you'll experience the diverse beauty of the British countryside. Along the way, you'll encounter stunning natural attractions like Kinder Scout, High Force, and the Cheviot Hills. You'll also explore historical landmarks such as Hadrian's Wall and Whitley Castle Roman Fort. Each day ends with a comfortable stay in cozy inns, traditional pubs, and welcoming B&Bs, offering a taste of local hospitality. This tour promises an unforgettable adventure, steeped in natural beauty and rich history.
Included
18 breakfasts
One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 18kg
Transfer at the end of Day 5 & beginning of Day 6
Transfer at the end of Day 18 & beginning of Day 19
19 nights accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available
The hotels described are our usual accommodation, however if these are not available then alternatives are used. Rooms generally do not have baths. The main reason being that they take up a lot of space, some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main it is showers. Note that a lot of the villages on the route are very popular with limited accommodation. This may mean that we cannot get you into the accommodation described below for the dates of your tour. We will endeavor to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby. Also, although we aim to get you into accommodations with ensuite rooms this is not always possible, at a few places on your tour you may be sharing bathrooms, particularly if you are in a single room.
Suggested rest stops: Must be requested at the time of booking.
HEBDEN BRIDGE: Beautiful old mill town with a slightly alternative bent. picturesque buildings set beside river, canals and an old packhorse bridge. The village has narrow streets with cafes, shops and pubs. You could also take a train to Manchester.
PONDEN (HAWORTH): An extra night in Ponden would be the ideal location to see more of Haworth, you may not have time on the original itinerary to see this. Haworth; Home of the famous Brontë sisters, Haworth is an undisputed literary mecca, attracting visitors from all around the world. With its historic cobbled Main Street.
MALHAM: Very popular pretty village, at weekends you may need to stay here two nights. There are other walks that you can do from the village.
HAWES: Pretty dales town on the River Ure. Pubs and shops, Wensleydale cheese factory and rope making museum as well as national park centre.
ALSTON: Small market town with a little railway line. A good place to rest and not do too much after the big day from Dufton.
BELLINGHAM: Pretty town with nice walk up to local waterfalls, your last chance for a break before the last 3 days of walking.
Information pack including route notes & maps (1 pack per room booked)
GPX files
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Edale
Day 1: Edale
Begin your journey in the picturesque village of Edale, nestled at the foot of the majestic Kinder Scout. Spend the day exploring the village's medieval history and its transformation into a popular destination for walkers and day-trippers. Enjoy a meal at one of the local pubs before settling in for the night at The Ramblers Inn (or similar), offering fantastic views of the countryside.
Day 2 – Day 2: Kinder Scout to Bleaklow Head
Day 2: Kinder Scout to Bleaklow Head
Start your day at The Nag's Head pub, the traditional starting point for the Pennine Way. Embark on a scenic walk through beautiful farming countryside, ascending Kinder Scout and reaching Kinder Downfall, a stunning waterfall. Continue your journey to Bleaklow Head, navigating through bogs and paved walkways. End your day at a secluded Farm B&B (or similar), complete with its own restaurant.
Day 3 – Day 3: Black Hill to Diggle
Day 3: Black Hill to Diggle
Embark on a day of undulating walks across the moors, passing several small to medium-sized reservoirs. Ascend Black Hill, marking the border between Derbyshire and West Yorkshire, and descend to the Wessenden Reservoirs. End your day in the small village of Diggle, staying in a 15th-century inn or a charming Barn B&B (or similar).
Day 4 – Day 4: Diggle to Hebden Bridge
Day 4: Diggle to Hebden Bridge
Continue your journey through the moorland hills, with views over the urban conurbations around Oldham and Manchester. Visit the Stoodley Pike monument, one of the classic viewpoints along the route. End your day in the attractive old mill town of Hebden Bridge, known for its alternative lifestyle scene. Stay in one of the town's welcoming guest houses or inns (or similar).
Day 5 – Day 5: Hebden Bridge to Ponden
Day 5: Hebden Bridge to Ponden
Start your day on the Hebden Bridge loop via the pretty village of Heptonstall. Traverse the moors of Clough Head Hill and ascend Withins Height End, famed for its connections with Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'. End your day in Ponden, staying in an old coaching Inn (or similar) where it's thought Bonny Prince Charlie once spent the night.
Day 6 – Day 6: Ponden to Malham
- Malham
- More
Today's journey takes you through the charming village of Lothersdale and along the Leeds and Liverpool canal. As you enter the Craven Valley, the geology begins to change to limestone. End your day in the tourist hotspot of Malham, a small village near a famous limestone escarpment. Stay in one of the beautiful old stone coaching Inns (or similar) in the centre of the village.
Day 7 – Day 7: Malham to Horton in Ribbleside
- Malham
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Experience an iconic day in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Climb the cliffs of Malham Cove and walk along the limestone pavements into Watlowes Valley. Visit the beautiful Malham Tarn and ascend to the peak of Pen - y - ghent, a well-known spot for walkers. End your day in Horton in Ribbleside, staying at one of the main Inns (or similar) in the village.
Day 8 – Day 8: Horton in Ribbleside to Hawes
Day 8: Horton in Ribbleside to Hawes
Start your day with a walk through Birkwith Moor, offering impressive dales scenery and views of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Discover the fascinating Calf Holes Cave before reaching the bustling market town of Hawes. End your day in a selection of B&Bs (or similar) with ensuite rooms.
Day 9 – Day 9: Hawes to Keld
Day 9: Hawes to Keld
Embark on a challenging day, traversing through archetypal dales scenery with green pastures, drystone walls, and winding rivers. Ascend Great Shunner Fell, the third highest mountain in Yorkshire, before descending into Thwaite. Continue your journey to Keld, staying in a very nice B&B (or similar) on the way.
Day 10 – Day 10: Keld to Middleton-in-Teesdale
Day 10: Keld to Middleton-in-Teesdale
Start your day with a walk along Sleightholme Moor, which can be misty and muddy. Cross the River Greta via a slab of stone known as God's Bridge and continue through the moors to Blackton Reservoir. End your day in the pretty village of Middleton-in-Teesdale, staying in an attractive B&B (or similar) with individually designed and decorated ensuite rooms.
Day 11 – Day 11: Middleton-in-Teesdale to Langdon Beck
Day 11: Middleton-in-Teesdale to Langdon Beck
Spend your day exploring the wild and eerie valley of upper Teesdale, filled with the sound of Curlew, larks, and lapwing. Follow the River Tees, taking in its various nuances and colors, and visit the impressive High Force waterfall. End your day in Langdon Beck, staying in a remote hotel (or similar) in a spectacular part of Upper Teesdale.
Day 12 – Day 12: Langdon Beck to Dufton
Day 12: Langdon Beck to Dufton
Experience some of the wildest natural features of the entire walk. Begin with a steep climb out of Langdon Beck and up to Byrness Hill. Visit the roaring waterfall, Cauldron Snout, and the deeply cut glacial valley, High Cup Nick. End your day in Dufton, a fine little Green village with many old buildings, staying in the Youth Hostel (or similar).
Day 13 – Day 13: Dufton to Alston
Day 13: Dufton to Alston
Embark on a full, long day of walking, starting with a climb over Knock Fell and Great Dun Fell. Reach the highest point along 'The Pennine Way' at Cross Fell. Descend from Cross Fell and march on a stony moorland road to Garrigill before reaching the pretty little market town of Alston. Stay in a small B&B (or similar) with ensuite room situated on the ground floor.
Day 14 – Day 14: Alston to Greenhead
- Greenhead
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Today's journey takes you through a lot of undulations through farms, fences, and over walls. Visit the substantial site of Whitley Castle Roman Fort and a nice section of Roman road called the Maiden Way. End your day in Greenhead, staying in an old-fashioned style hotel (or similar) that would have served drinks to the local miners.
Day 15 – Day 15: Greenhead to Once Brewed
- Greenhead
- More
Experience the roller coaster of Hadrian's Wall, walking along the most dramatic section of the wall. Visit the ruins of Thirlwell Castle before reaching Once Brewed. You can then get a bus from the visitor centre to visit the Roman Fortress at Housesteads. Stay in a welcoming Inn (or similar) situated close to all the main Roman sites.
Day 16 – Day 16: Once Brewed to Bellingham
Day 16: Once Brewed to Bellingham
Today's journey takes you through the Cheviot Hills, an ancient group of extinct volcanoes. The route is very agricultural, with a lot of little steep up and downs, stiles and gates. End your day in the pretty village of Bellingham, staying in a pleasant B&B (or similar) with ensuite or private bathroom set up rooms.
Day 17 – Day 17: Bellingham to Byrness
Day 17: Bellingham to Byrness
Start your day with a very steep climb of around 200 metres straight out of Bellingham and up to Byrness Hill. Continue on the walking roller-coaster that is the Cheviot Hills. End your day in Byrness, a tiny former forestry workers village, staying in a small family run 4* Inn (or similar) which has won the Northumberland National Park 'Welcoming park exceptional visitor experience' award on a couple of occasions.
Day 18 – Day 18: Byrness to Trows
Day 18: Byrness to Trows
Today's walk involves a very steep climb of around 200 metres straight out of Byrness and up to Byrness Hill. Continue on the walking roller-coaster that is the Cheviot Hills. End your day at the remote Trows farm on the Rowhope Burn for your pick up (included) back to Byrness.
Day 19 – Day 19: Trows to Kirk Yetholm
Day 19: Trows to Kirk Yetholm
Embark on a fantastic final day resuming in the remote Cheviot hills and finally crossing the border into Scotland. The route is very agricultural, with a lot of little steep up and downs, stiles and gates. End your day in Kirk Yetholm, an old borders market village in the middle of nowhere in particular, staying in the Border Hotel (or similar).
Day 20 – Day 20: Depart Kirk Yetholm
Day 20: Depart Kirk Yetholm
Your multi-day tour ends today. Depart Kirk Yetholm for your onward journey, taking with you a lifetime of memories from this incredible adventure.
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