Pennine Way

These itineraries are most suitable for those walkers with previous long distance experience and an excellent level of physical fitness.

The route is a mixture of paths through open remote moorlands and on fields and tracks.

Trails may have rocky sections and some of the paths are indistinct and can become very muddy and boggy in wet weather, when progress can often be slow.

Be careful when crossing rivers and streams, especially when there’s been a heavy downpour. Proceed with caution in areas en-route that are exposed (open) where there is no coverage for rain or strong wind.

There are sections also where you are required to cross some busy roads

This route ranges from moderate to strenuous, with longer itineraries generally graded moderate to strenuous and the shorter options strenuous. Within any itinerary, individual days may vary in difficulty, with some a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation on this route ranges from small B&Bs and guesthouses to country inns and hotels, all offering a warm welcome and traditional hospitality. You might also occasionally stay in a good-quality youth hostel in locations like Edale, Dufton or Langdon Beck, always in a private room.

Accommodation choices directly on the Pennine Way are limited, so where we can't secure a booking in a trailside town or village, we'll arrange a nearby alternative along with the necessary transfers. This happens more often during busier periods and on the longer itineraries. Your destination specialist will talk you through the options if this applies to your tour.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

If you're walking solo on the Pennine Way, you'll need to take extra care in the outdoors, and you should be comfortable reading a map and compass, since the route is not way-marked throughout.

Breakfast is included every day. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense, which leaves you free to explore. Purchase a packed lunch from your host, pick up picnic supplies from a local shop or market, or stop at a café en route. In the evening, unwind over dinner somewhere local.

This route can be started any time between April and September. Note that accommodation in Edale, where the walk begins, is limited, and many properties don't take one-night weekend stays, so it's best to avoid starting your walk on a Friday or Saturday. If that can't be avoided, we may need to use accommodation just outside Edale with a short transfer into town to begin walking the following day.

Spring and autumn tend to be particularly pleasant times to tackle this route, while the full season runs from late March through to the end of September.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 17kg/37lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

The route is way-marked throughout.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Recommended Reading
Map: Harvey Map Pennine North / Harvey Map Pennine South
Guidebook: Trailblazers Pennine Way

The closest airports to the start of the walk are Manchester and Sheffield, from either city centre it takes around 30-45 minutes to reach Edale. From the south, you can catch a train from London to Edale via Sheffield (around 3 hours), from the north, a train from Edinburgh to Edale via Manchester (around 4h45). There's very limited parking in Edale, and it's difficult to get back there from Kirk Yetholm at the end of the walk, so we'd recommend public transport over driving.

The closest train station to Kirk Yetholm is Berwick-upon-Tweed (around 2 hours away by bus), Berwick-upon-Tweed sits on the main East Coast rail line and is well connected to most major UK cities.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation