Getting there
- Flights to Manchester (MAN) 30 km from the start
Treks / United Kingdom (England)
Pennine Way
United Kingdom (England) · Nearest city: Manchester (also Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days16–19
Distance≈ 431 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point893 m
Britain's first National Trail runs along the backbone of England from Edale to the Scottish border, over moors, limestone and Hadrian's Wall.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonMay to September
High pointCross Fell
Watch out: Boggy moorland and navigation in mist are the real tests. Carry a map and compass.
Why people choose it
It's Britain's first and toughest National Trail, a real test of stamina and navigation across the moors.
What makes it different
- Wild moorland and Hadrian's Wall
- Malham Cove's limestone pavement
- A real long-distance challenge
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
EU 'roam like at home' doesn't apply in United Kingdom, and many plans charge extra there. A Europe data eSIM covers United Kingdom too.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is not generally allowed in England without the landowner's permission. Use campsites, bunkhouses and B&Bs along the route.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (411.6 km) Route variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Edale → Hebden Bridge → Malham → Horton in Ribblesdale → Cross Fell → Bellingham → Kirk Yetholm
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: May to September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Manchester.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: May to September
April to May
Spring
Often the driest time of year, with long days and fresh green hills. Can still be cold and windy on the tops.
Bring
- Warm layer and hat
- Waterproof jacket
- Gloves for high ground
June to August
Summer
Longest days and warmest weather, but also rain showers, busier trails and, in Scotland, midges.
Bring
- Midge head net and repellent in Scotland
- Waterproofs, always
- Book accommodation early
September to October
Autumn
Fewer people and beautiful colours, but wetter, windier weather and shorter days.
Bring
- Full waterproofs, jacket and trousers
- Headlamp
- Waterproof boots
Be ready for
Rain
Plan for rain on most days. A proper waterproof jacket, a pack liner and quick-dry clothes keep you comfortable.
Bog and mud
Expect wet feet on peaty or muddy ground. Waterproof boots and gaiters help; so do spare socks.
Navigation
Paths can be faint or disappear in mist. Carry an offline map on your phone and a paper map, and know how to use them.
Long days
Expect 7–10 hour days. Start early, eat little and often, and know your turnaround time.
What you'll see
8 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Pennine Way
Photo credits: Pennine scenery by the author named on its Commons page, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Malham Cove Yorkshire Dales by Tom Corser, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Hebden by Ambrose113, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; The Pennine Way above Blakely Clough - geograph.org.uk by Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Bridge over Malham Beck - geograph.org.uk by Chris Heaton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Newfield Bridge Revisited - geograph.org.uk by Chris Heaton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; God's Bridge on the Ribble Way near Selside - geograph.org.uk by Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Cauldron Snout - geograph.org.uk by Dani, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
