Character
A legendary English trek across the boggy moorland and peat of northern England. Physically and mentally demanding.
Mountain Treks
PW Pennine Way
England's first national trail crosses windswept moorland and peat bogs from the Peak District to the Scottish border.
Overview
Pennine Way opened in 1965 as Britain's first long-distance trail. The terrain is tough and boggy, especially in the northern section. Notable landmarks include Malham Cove, Hadrian's Wall and Cross Fell summit.
- Distance
- 431 km
- Time
- 16-22 days
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Total elevation gain
- 12,000 m
Route & profile
Quick orientation of the route line, start, end and elevation profile.
Elevation profileHighest 528 m a.s.l. · Tan Hill Inn
Anglie, Velká Británie
431 km · 16 stages · ↑ 12,000 m
Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, displayed via Waymarked Trails.
Planning
B&Bs and hostels along the route at standard English prices.
May–August is best. Moorland is drier in spring. Winter is unsuitable — peat bogs are dangerous.
What to expect
Who it's for
Experienced hikers with a solid fitness base, fans of wild English landscapes and walking history.
Suggested pace
Stages of 20–30 km per day. A fast pace shortens the route to 16 days; a relaxed pace takes 20–22 days.
Logistics
Train to Manchester or Sheffield and bus to Edale. Finish in Kirk Yetholm — bus to Kelso, then train.
Resupply & permits
Resupply
Good — villages on the route have shops every 20–30 km.
Permits & regulations
No permits. Part of the route crosses private land with right of way.
Why go
- Britain's first long-distance trail, opened 1965.
- Hadrian's Wall — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Malham Cove — vast limestone cliffs.
- Wild and empty landscape of northern England.
Watch out for
- Peat bogs in wet weather are extremely difficult — gaiters and waterproof footwear are essential.
- Navigation in fog in the northern section requires map and compass.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for Pennine Way?
May–August is best. Moorland is drier in spring. Winter is unsuitable — peat bogs are dangerous.
How hard is Pennine Way?
Pennine Way is rated as Hard. A legendary English trek across the boggy moorland and peat of northern England. Physically and mentally demanding.
How many days does Pennine Way take?
Pennine Way usually takes 16–22 days. Stages of 20–30 km per day. A fast pace shortens the route to 16 days; a relaxed pace takes 20–22 days.
Do I need a permit for Pennine Way?
No permits. Part of the route crosses private land with right of way.
What about resupply on Pennine Way?
Good — villages on the route have shops every 20–30 km.
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TT
HRP
CAM-NPhotos from trekkers
Real shots from the trail by people who walked it — coming soon.