Pennine Way Complete (19 Days & 18 Nights)
- Walk the Pennine Way, designated as the UK's very first National Trail.
- Three national parks, The Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales & Northumberland.
- Traversing the wild and windswept moors of Brontë country.
- Wonderful and warm “northern” welcome from your accommodations.
- Following trails through the majestic Swaledale and Wensleydale valleys.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Edale and overnightThe pretty Peak District village of Edale makes an excellent starting point to your walk and is easily reached by public transport.
Ollerbrook Barn dates from 1798 and has been lovingly converted into a comfortable family run guesthouse. All rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities that you require. All rooms feature drinks making facilities and televisions with free-to-view satellite channels.
A warm welcome awaits you at Western House, which is a traditional 1850s gritstone house standing at the start of the Pennine Way in Edale. It is a self-contained, spacious loft-conversion with original beams and exposed Queen Truss beam. The accommodation has private lounge, roll top bath with shower mixer, original Victorian iron and brass bed, stripped pine floor and unbeatable views towards Kinder Scout.
This charming country inn, although grand in stature, delivers a warm and homely environment, the perfect place to spend an evening in comfort after a day of rambling walks and picturesque peaks. Carrying real ales, traditional ciders and a large variety of whiskeys and spirits, the bar has something for everyone. Hot and cold food is served daily in all of the four dining areas, with a large variety of meals available as well as the Chef’s Daily Specials. Every room has its own en suite bathroom with shower, tea and coffee making facilities, and a television with DVD player.
As well as tackling the peaty wilderness of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow Head, you will also do a fair bit of climbing with the second biggest ascent of the way. However the views are well-worth the effort. At the end of today you will be transferred to nearby Glossop for your overnight accomodation which is approx 10 minutes transfer.
Ascent/Descent: +603m/-643m
Windy Harbour Farm Hotel is a family owned business offering a warm welcome, home cooked food and a well-stocked bar often serving speciality cask ales. The rooms, all en-suite, are each individually furnished. They serve evening meals and lunches in the restaurant and afternoon teas in restaurant or in the garden during the spring and summer.
The Queens Arms is located in the village of Old Glossop and was built to serve as a beer house in 1825. The Queens Arms offers a warm Derbyshire welcome, comfortable rooms and a wide selection of real ales and good quality, traditional pub food.
The Bulls Head, which happens to be the oldest pub in Glossop, has built a reputation for its charm, character and friendliness. Nestling on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Visitors will enjoy peace, quiet, relaxation and the freshest of country air. Built in the early Victorian era, the pub has retained its original oak beams open log fires and traditional furnishings. Check in is from 3pm
Be prepared to cover most of this section's ascent within the first few miles up to Laddow Rocks. Much of the way will be open moorland tracks, though you'll balance the wild wide open with more manicured landscape as you follow access roads along several resevoirs before reaching Standedge. Your accommodation for this evening will be in nearby Diggle, approx 1.5m south west of the path.
Ascent/descent: +647m/-482m
The Sunfield Accommodation offers comfortable en-suite accommodation in a rural setting. The owners will provide you with a very warm welcome at this friendly property. The en-suite bedrooms are all on ground level with easy access in and out of the premises. The rooms have a hospitality tray and a TV with Freeview channels. All guests have access to free Wi-Fi. There are also superb views!
The Diggle Hotel offers comfortable en-suite accommodation in a rural setting. The owners will provide you with a very warm welcome at this friendly family run property.
The Old Bell Inn is situated in the beautiful Saddleworth village of Delph. They are an 18 bedroomed, four star AA and Visit England accredited Inn. They have a Brasserie and a restaurant, and their local, well known and respected head chef brings an extra touch of creativity to his menus. They provide fine food, quality beers, wines and spirits and an excellent standard of accommodation. Their beautifully designed bedrooms are en-suite and furnished to the highest standards, each individually styled in keeping with the elegance and period of The Old Bell Inn.
Though slightly less remote - particularly early on - this stage does a good job of keeping you high up on moorland to avoid the more urban areas. You will still enjoy expansive views of the surrounding countryside but will probably find the route to be a little busier in this area.
What you loose in remoteness is made up for by some easier terrain. You can enjoy a long stretch passing reservoirs on good tracks today after negotiating Blackstone Edge before you reach Stoodley Pike and a steady downhill towards the town of Hebden Bridge, approx 2.5km along the Rochdale Canal from the Pennine Way.
Ascent/descent: +219m/-482m
Thorncliffe is a lovely, light and spacious Victorian house with wonderful views overlooking the town. They are located in the quiet Birchcliffe area of Hebden Bridge, just a few minutes walk uphill from the centre of town. They offer a plentiful vegetarian, continental style breakfast in your room. They perfectly placed for everything that vibrant Hebden Bridge has to offer - independent shops & cafes, a thriving art scene - as well as the beautiful Pennine Way.
The White Lion hotel is a traditional coaching Inn with exposed timber and masonry and always has a warm and friendly atmosphere. Set on the riverside location in central Hebden Bridge, the Inn has always been well known for fine yet informal pub dining with an extensive choice of wines and ales. They have 10 spacious rooms which have all been recently refurbished and have all the amenities you will need.
The Smithery B&B is situated in the heart of Hebden Bridge, an historic market town in the foothills of the Pennines. The property is a characterful grade II listed weavers’ cottage overlooking the picturesque Rochdale Canal and Calder Holmes Park. It has stunning original features including two inglenook fireplaces with wood burning stoves and each room has tea & coffee making facilities, towels, dressing gowns, hair dryer, and free WiFi. For your peace and comfort not all rooms have a TV.
Your most challenging part of the walk begins only a couple of miles in. The diversity of the path will keep you on your toes, but the open scenery rewards. Cross Heptonstall Moor to Graining Water, then continue past several resevoirs and into Ponden. This is Brontë country, and the sisters lived nearby in Haworth.
Ascent/descent: +515m/-395m
Ponden Mill is a Georgian Cotton Mill set in stunning countryside just outside Haworth. Ponden Mill has two splendid Bed and Breakfast rooms which are both are en suite and have been recently refurbished to fit in with the original style and character of the mill. Both have amazing views over the river and farmland and are within easy walk of all the local attractions.
There has long been a tradition that Ponden Hall is identifiable with Thrushcross Grange in Wuthering Heights, although none of the sisters left evidence of making such a link themselves. In part this is due to its situation, on the way up to the moors; in part to the fact there were so few larger houses in this area. The guest house has three lovely traditional rooms that are all individually furnished and offer something different, but all rooms have the amenities and en-suite facilities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
This country inn is located in the heart of the beautiful bronte countryside. This is a relaxed 3 star accommodation which will allow you a good night’s sleep. They offer locally sourced English food, home cooked to order in the charming 400 year old inn. The Inn itself has authentic oak beams and log fires and beer gardens for those summer nights.
A short continuation from Ponden, you'll reach another long climb as you make your way across Ickornshaw Moor. From Ickornshaw, cross Elslack Moor and enjoy views from the top of Pinhaw Beacon before continuing on to a more relaxing and low-level walk over fields and into Gargrave, the gateway to the Dales.
Ascent/descent: +591m/-715m
Situated in the heart of Gargrave, with its oak-beamed ceilings, open fire, traditional cask ales and homemade food, The Masons Arms is just the place to relax and unwind. They have 6 guest rooms all with their own private entrances in a converted barn next to the pub.
The Tempest Arms dates back to the 17th century and has long been known as the meeting place. You will be welcomed into a convivial atmosphere by the lovely, friendly staff. The rooms are stylish and individual and all offer great comfort, some have large baths or wet rooms, some with a hot tub, or private terraces or balcony overlooking the babbling beck.
Heading out of Gargrave, cross Eshton Moor and then cross the River Aire, which you will follow for the remainder of your walk into Malham.
Ascent/descent: +186m/-100m
Beck Hall was built in 1710 and has been providing hotel and B&B accommodation since the 1930's. Beck Hall offers a warm welcome to walkers. They have a spacious guest lounge, on a colder winter night don't be surprised to be co-opted to maintain the log fire that occupies one end of the lounge. All of the rooms at Beck Hall are rather different and distinct. All rooms have TV, tea and coffee making facilities, central heating and heated towel rails.
Your host’s Ann & Alex Roe, welcome you to River House, a Four Star Bed and Breakfast in Malham, a Victorian Country house, with parts originally parts built in 1664. All bedrooms at River House are en-suite with complimentary toiletries, digital flat screen tvs, hair dryers, heated towel rail and a plentiful supply of Yorkshire Tea & Coffee. The Dining Room is where Quality Dales breakfasts are served to you. They have an AA Egg Cup for an excellent breakfast, only a select few in North Yorkshire have been awarded an Egg Cup.
Small and cosy family run inn, with 4 en-suite rooms and a cost bar serving Traditional pub food and Real Ales. Rooms are simply furnished and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
A fantastic day’s walking takes you into Three Peaks Country to Malham Cove, and Fountains Fell.
Take an end of day climb up Pen-y-Ghent. All these days provide a challenge but you are rewarded with fantastic views of the surrounding dales.
Ascent/descent: +794m/-753m
You are assured a very warm welcome at the Broad Croft House. This beautiful barn conversion is ideally situated for walker and all rooms have en-suite shower rooms and lovely views. The proprietors use quality cotton bed linen and towels and provide luxury toiletries and tea/coffee making facilities in your room to make your stay more comfortable. There is also a drying room on site.
You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check into Loxley House. They offer lovely accommodation where you can relax after your day exploring the Dales. The breakfast room and most of their bedrooms enjoy the superb fell views of Upper Wensleydale. All their bedrooms have been individually designed to ensure you have a relaxing and comfortable stay. They also have external access so you can come and go as you please. There is also free WiFi is available in all guest rooms.
Edd and Jan will provide you with the warmest of welcomes at their 19th Century Farmhouse B&B. The property has been recently refurbished and tastefully restored to a very high standard. All rooms come complete with comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton bedding, non-allergenic top-quality duvets, flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities (with fresh milk), fresh bottled water from their spring, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, USB charger sockets, and Cole & Lewis toiletries.
Walk well worn trails, stone tracks and an old roman road, accommpanied by the now traditional scenery of sprawling moorland and fields. You'll pass through a nature reserve at Ling Gill and rise and fall among the fells.
Ascent/descent: +404m/-401m
The 300-year old ‘quirky’ Herriot building on the main cobbled street that runs through Hawes comprises of Herriot’s Guest House, Herriot’s Kitchen and The Herriot Gallery, an ideal location to browse local artwork, enjoy fresh home-made produce, and relax and become guests of Glenn & Liz. They offer six en-suite bedrooms, all of which benefit from the expected home comforts. All of their rooms have been refurbished over the last few winters and have new bathrooms throughout.
Check-in time is strictly between 4 & 7 pm & Breakfast is served in their gallery dining area between 8.15 and 9 am.
Cockett's Hotel and Restaurant dates back to 1668 and was originally a Quaker Temperance Hotel. Today all 11 bedrooms have en-suite facilities, TV, coffee and tea facilities and either views across the Yorkshire Dales or onto the Market Place of Hawes. You are invited to take advantage of the resident's lounge or enjoy a drink in the bar. The restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday, serving a wide choice of home-cooked dishes. If you would like to make a booking please email or call on 01969 667162
The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the town centre providing easy access to local attractions and shops.
Wensleydale House offers guests comfortably furnished spacious ensuite bedrooms, guest lounge and a separate breakfast room overlooking farmer's field and 'our' beck (small stream). The house is centrally heated and on cooler nights guests can enjoy an open fire in the lounge room. For breakfast they offer a choice of full English, continental or vegetarian. All ingredients are sourced from local suppliers featuring local produce wherever possible.
Check in is 3pm – 6pm
From Hawes to Thwaite you must overcome the longest continual ascent on the Way, Great Shunner Fell, before arriving in the picture-postcard scenery of Swaledale and the small town of Thwaite where an attractive tearoom awaits. However brief, the path from Thwaite is not a relaxing stroll. Power up the steep incline of Kisdon Hill and enjoy the fantastic views at the top before continuing on to Keld.
Ascent/descent: +654m/-577m
Butt House pride themselves on warmly welcoming walkers after a long day's trekking. They provide drying and laundry facilities, packed lunches, home cooked food, along with a fully licensed bar. All rooms have TVs, hairdryers, tea & coffee making facilities and fabulous views of the area. On the ground floor there is a drying area for boots and coats, a lounge with open fire, dining room, and bar/reception area, where, in the height of the season, you can enjoy a pint of Black Sheep Ale, available on tap.
A warm welcome awaits you at Keld Lodge. This former shooting lodge is now a comfortable hotel and restaurant. You can enjoy the amazing views from the conservatory dining room, lounge, and many of the bedrooms. They place an emphasis on doing the simple things well.
Frith Lodge is a 300-year-old Swaledale farmhouse which has been lovingly restored and refurbished. They have 3 doubles and 2 twin bedrooms which are all en-suite, have tea and coffee making facilities include fresh milk and homemade biscuits and each bedroom has FreeSat TV, hairdryer, welcome guide and breathtaking views from every window. Their guest lounge has stunning views and is the perfect place to rest and relax after a day walking. Check-in time is 15:30
After departing from Keld, pass through Stonesdale Moor and onwards to Tan Hill, where you will find the infamous Tan Hill Inn (England’s highest pub), a great place to stop for lunch if you can time it right. Then head off across Sleightholme Moor before arriving in the delightful town of Middleton-in-Teesdale on the banks of the River Tees.
Ascent/descent: +649m/-739m
Brunswick House is a charming stone built Teesdale village guest house, dating from 1760, offering luxury bed and breakfast accommodation. In each room there is a flat screen TV/DVD player with freeview digital channels, CD player, radio, hair dryer, fridge with complimentary mineral water and fresh milk and tea/coffee making facilities. Luxuriously furnished and decorated, their bedrooms offer a lovely space in which to relax.
Retaining the best of the old with the best of the modern world, they offer accommodation and friendly service of a very high standard. All their rooms have en-suite accommodation plus television and tea/coffee making facilities. They are all tastefully and individually decorated and are warm and welcoming, immaculately clean with crisp white linen. There is also a spacious Residents' Lounge plus a bespoke Dining Room. The hotel is tastefully furnished and decorated; modernised whilst maintaining the tradition of this historic listed building.
Dating back to the 1750’s ‘The Fox & Hounds’ sits proudly on the west green in the picturesque village of Cotherstone. Within an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and sitting next to a stunning stretch of the River Tees the friendly and cosy atmosphere of this traditional country pub makes the Fox & Hounds the perfect base for exploring the hidden treasures of Teesdale.
The next section to Dufton includes some of the highlights of the Pennine Way including the breath-taking High Force waterfall and the dramatic scenery of High Cup Nick. Continuing on to Dufton you will also pass the huge waterfall of Cauldron Snout. As there is no suitable accommodation in Dufton you will be picked up and transferred to the nearby pretty village of Appleby for your accommodation this evening. You will be transferred back to Dufton to continue your walk the next morning.
Ascent/descent: +449m/-463m
Bongate House was built about 1760, in the style of many large farmhouses of that period. Over the years it has been extended and now is quite a sizeable property. The house has been completely refurbished, enhancing the quality and comfort of the accommodation, but still preserving the "old farmhouse" qualities. They have nine bedrooms which are en-suite and are pleasantly decorated, and each has colour television and tea / coffee making facilities. Free WiFi is available in all rooms.
John and Jan welcome you to the Hollies, a friendly and welcoming B&B in the heart of the Eden Valley. The Hollies, built in 1856, was extensively & tastefully modernised in 2014 for the 21st century. John and Jan have focused on creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere while keeping, adapting or re-instating many original Victorian features. Both bedrooms are on the first floor, up the sweeping Victorian staircase, and are traditionally furnished with the only fitted item being the headboard! They offer views of the surrounding hills and 3 acres of gardens and woods, which you are free to explore.
The Royal Oak Appleby, a historic 17th Century coaching inn recently awarded a Visit Britian 4 Star inn Accolade offering excellent value food and accommodation in the heart of the Eden Valley. Their 10 bedrooms are warm and cosy with everything you would expect from a country Inn. The Royal Oak is a genuine 18th century Inn so they do have some low beamed areas but this only adds to the wonderful overall character. The restaurant offers excellent British Pub food served in their newly refurbished restaurant, in front of our real log fire in the cosy lounge.
This next section begins with the challenge of reaching the highest point of the Pennine Way at Cross Fell, and in total achieving over 1100m of ascent between Dufton and Alston. Reach the pretty village of Garrigill which breaks up the section before pushing on for another few miles along the river into attractive Alston - England's highest market town.
Ascent/descent: +892m/-803m
Alston House Hotel is an imposing 17th century building situated a few minutes stroll from the centre of Alston; which is one of the highest towns in the UK. Over the last two years all of their rooms have been completely refurbished with luxury bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, deep, plush carpets and high quality memory foam beds for that all important good night’s sleep.
Lowbyer is a Grade II listed Georgian Manor House, each of the nine guest bedrooms have been designed with the guest in mind, All rooms are en-suite with either a bath or shower room and have complimentary refreshments tray, colour television, radio alarm clock, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries. Their cosy snug Bar with inglenook fireplace offers a wide selection of wines, spirits, liqueurs, soft drinks and bottled cider, lager & beers. The Guest Lounge with real wood fire, is a very comfortable and relaxing room. It offers a good selection of books, magazines and daily newspapers.
The Cumberland offers you a warm welcome. The comfortable rooms were fully refurbished in 2006, and all offer en-suite bathrooms, hairdryers, colour television and tea and coffee making facilities. In November 2008 they were awarded 3 stars by Visit Britain in the 'Inn' category of Guest Accommodation.
For part of today's walk, you'll join onto the Maiden Way, a roman road that was used for bringing supplies to the wall. The wettest section of the whole Way is met at Blenkinsopp Common. After this challenge, reward yourself with a well-deserved rest in Greenhead, the official end of the Pennine Way's Central section.
Ascent/descent: +434m/-577m
Holmhead offers comfortable accommodation in a great location right on the Pennine Way. Holmhead has four cosy en-suite bedrooms, the rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you need with plenty of storage space and lovely countryside views.
You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check into this accommodation. Each guest room is individually designed in keeping with the heritage of the building, all rooms are en-suite and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. Their restaurant serves homemade meals, freshly prepared and uses local ingredients. The hotel also has a warm and friendly bar with a large open fire and two imposing stone fireplaces. The bar stocks a selection of beers, lagers, ales and wines.
Set against the backdrop of historic Hadrian's Wall in the heart of the glorious unspoilt Northumbrian countryside, Blenkinsopp Castle Inn is a coaching stable dating back to the 13th century. Connected to a grade 1 Listed Castle with ancient and historic origins, the Inn is a veritable treasure trove of architectural features.
Get ready for one of the most interesting, and at times the most challenging section of the Pennine Way. Begin in Greenhead (very near Britain’s exact geological centre, a point equidistant from all shores) where the Pennine Way meets Hadrian’s Wall. You will discover Roman Forts and milecastles galore. For this reason Once Brewed makes an ideal stop to give you more time to take in the historical sights. The town is around a kilometre off the main trail, otherwise, you can continue on along the Way.
Continue along the Hadrian's Wall Path for just a short while, past the famed lone Sycamore tree, before turning northward and soon into the forest. Following this, you'll pass through Haughton Common and later over Shitlington Crags before descending into Bellingham.
Ascent/descent: +594m/-616m
The Lyndale Guest House has been tastefully furnished throughout and home cooking is a speciality of your hosts Joy and Ken Gaskin. Breakfast is a four course meal of your choice in their sun lounge with its beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. Most of the rooms have delightful views, all have central heating, vanity units, colour TV, hairdryers, tea and coffee making facilities, dressing gowns and toiletries. Lyndale greet you on arrival with 'Tea & Biscuits' served on the terrace, next to the fountain.
Deep in the heart of the North Tyne valley, in the village of Bellingham lies the recently re-furbished, updated and renovated Cheviot Hotel. Each room is individually designed and they have all the amenities you require for great overnight stay. The Cheviot Hotel is well known locally - and further afield - not only for the warmth of their welcome, but the standard of their food. Their chef is always on hand to tend to your every need and he prides himself on serving nothing but the best, made only from fresh local produce - and in Northumberland they know a thing or two about the best local produce!
Riverdale Hall is Northumberland’s premier country house hotel. With an award winning restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, cricket field and salmon river in its own delightful grounds. Their Les Routiers Gold Plate award winning restaurant, and team of chefs, headed by Iben Cocker, Stuart Naylor and Tony Johnston, have established for themselves an enviable reputation for the standard of their cuisine. Their menu changes daily and uses seasonal and local produce of the finest quality. All hotel bedrooms are well appointed with en-suite bathrooms, shower, colour television, telephone, and tea and coffee making facilities. Some of the bedrooms have a balcony or small patio area.
As tomorrow takes you over the Cheviot Hills enjoy today’s relatively low-level route through heather-clad moors, forestry tracks , green fields and alongside Redesdale Forest before reaching the foot of the Cheviots and Byrness.
Ascent/descent: +445m/-342m
You will be given a warm welcome at Forest View. Meals are served in Foresters Restaurant and Bar, where a range of locally brewed hand pulled craft ales are available alongside a choice of quality wines, spirits and soft drinks. Guests can use the drying room to dry walking gear and boots and relax in the new sun lounge.
You'll do some solid climbing today, starting with Byrness Hill, pass the former Roman camp of Chew Green and do a fair bit of ridgewalking until you reach Windy Gyle top. Don't forget to enjoy the worthwhile views you've earned!
As there is no accommodation near Windy Gyle we arrange a second night in Byrness for you with transfers. Make your way off the path, south from Windy Gyle top to Trows Farm (approx 1.5m) and await your pre-arranged collection here. You will be returned to Trows Farm the following morning to finish your walk.
Ascent/descent: +564m/-226m
You will be given a warm welcome at Forest View. Meals are served in Foresters Restaurant and Bar, where a range of locally brewed hand pulled craft ales are available alongside a choice of quality wines, spirits and soft drinks. Guests can use the drying room to dry walking gear and boots and relax in the new sun lounge.
After being transferred back to Trows Farm, make your way back to Windy Gyle top where the Pennine Way continues. The strenuous ascents continue on this section, and you'll have the choice of the official high route or slightly shorter low route as you officially cross the Scotland England border you've been straddling. Enjoy the views from White Law if you've chosen the high route before coming to a triumphant finish at the Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm.
Ascent/descent: +613m/-1058m
This award-winning bed and breakfast has outstanding views of the village of Town Yetholm and offers a very homely stay. All rooms are en-suite have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay including small additional extras. They also have a large drawing room with balcony, which has free wifi and a large flat screen TV.
Lyndsey and Scott would like to welcome you to the Border Hotel. They are a family run small hotel situated in Kirk Yetholm. They have five high quality newly refurbished en-suite bedrooms which have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay. The Public Bar is open all day and offers a range of lagers including a selection of real ales. It is a true local bar with character and charm.
Mother and daughter team, Sandi and Zoe Keddie offer you a warm welcome to the Plough Hotel. It is in the middle of the village, makes it the natural centre of social life and offers such comforts as, real ales and top quality home cooking.
After breakfast your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel.
This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Looking for a challenge and a rewarding walk that will take you through a variety of stunning English landscapes? Then the Pennine Way is the long-distance footpath for you. On this trail the strains and stresses of everyday life will slip away as you walk the wild and wonderful terrain of three national parks.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years
This holiday is graded strenuous,and is 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 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.
You will experience a variety of accommodations, from small B&B's and guesthouses to country inns and hotels. They all offer warm welcomes and traditional hospitality. We may also use the occasional nice youth hostel in Edale, Dufton, and Langdon Beck, however, the rooms we book for you will always be private.
On the Pennine Way, accommodation choices are limited along the trail, so if we cannot secure a reservation for you in towns and villages that are actually on the trail, we will book you into accommodations close by and then provide transfers. On the Pennine Way Complete, in busy times, this may mean up to 6 or 7 transfers on the longer itineraries and up to 2 or 3 on the shorter ones. Your destination specialist will talk you through options should this be the case.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you, although there is a single room supplement payable.
We welcome solo walkers on the Pennine Way, but please note that the price is substantially higher due to solo supplements in accommodations and primarily via baggage handlers carrying one bag. In terms of walking, you should of course, take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo and you must have the ability to read a map and compass.
The route is waymarked but in some places, the signs become less obvious, and the trail is not always easy to find. At least one of your party should be able to navigate with map and compass. We provide a Pennine Way guidebook and Harvey maps to assist you.
- Overnights in B&B’s, guesthouses & country inns
- Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Detailed Information Pack, guidebook and maps
- 24/7 telephone support from our UK office
- Return taxi transfer to Alston for dining options if you are staying in Garrigill.
- Travel to Edale & from Kirk Yetholm
- Lunches & Dinners
- Snacks & drinks
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk.
You can start your Pennine Way Complete walk anytime between April and September and on any date, depending on availability. In Edale (at the beginning of your itinerary) there is limited accommodation, and also they also do not allow one night stays over the weekend. Therefore it is better to avoid starting this tour on a Friday or Saturday. However, if that cannot be helped, then we may use an accommodation just outside Edale and arrange a short transfer into town to begin your walk on Day 2.
Please note that certain dates are closed off between the end of May and beginning of June on itineraries which go through Langdon Beck, Appleby and Alston due to the Appleby Horse Fair and problems with availability of accommodation.
The closest airport to the start of the walk is Manchester. You can take a train from Manchester Airport (via Manchester Piccadilly) to Edale and the journey takes approx. 1.5H. You can also fly into any of the London Airports. Making your way to Euston Station you can then take a train to Manchester Piccadilly with a connection to Edale. The journey takes approx. 3.5H. Please find more information concerning schedules on the Traveline or Trainline websites.
There is very limited parking in Edale and it is also very difficult to get back to Edale from Kirk Yetholm, so we recommend leaving your car at home and taking public transport to the start of your walk.
The best way to connect to major gateways from Kirk Yetholm is to take a local bus to Berwick-upon-Tweed which takes approx. 2H. You can find bus information and schedules on the Traveline website. Berwick-upon-Tweed is on the main East Coast rail line and is well connected to most major cities in the UK. Should you want to return to Manchester Airport, you can take a train from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Leeds and from Leeds to Manchester Airport.
Should you wish to return to London there is a direct train which takes approx. 4H. It is also possible to fly out of Newcastle Airport. A direct train from Berwick-upon-Tweed brings you to Newcastle centre and from here you can change to Newcastle Airport. The journey time is approx. 1.5H.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person up to 17kg. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
Due to baggage transfer restrictions, we can only offer this walk from South to North (Edale to Kirk Yetholm).
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a daypack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
You can use local bus services or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
As far in advance as possible! We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as it is an extremely popular walk and the accommodation gets booked up quickly. If booking at short notice we will always try and accommodate your plans.
On the Pennine Way accommodation choices are limited along the trail, so if we cannot secure a reservation for you in towns and villages that are actually on the trail, we will book you into accommodations close by and then provide transfers. On the Pennine Way Complete, in busy times, this may mean up to 6 or 7 transfers on the longer itineraries and up to 2 or 3 on the shorter ones. Your destination specialist will talk you through options should this be the case.
Yes, some navigation skills are necessary as the route is not way-marked. You follow route notes and a map that are provided.
You will need very good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.
The Pennine Way is very enjoyable at any time between the end of March and end of September although our personal favourite time of year is the spring and Autumn.
This holiday is graded depending on which itinerary you choose. The longer itineraries are moderate to strenuous and the shorter ones are strenuous. These itineraries are most suitable for those walkers with previous long distance experience and an excellent level of physical fitness.
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