Guides · The trails
The Pennine Way National Trail
Official facts on the first National Trail: 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm, when to go, how it is waymarked, and what the published sections involve.
The Pennine Way is a 268-mile (431 km) National Trail through England’s northern uplands, from the Peak District to the Scottish Borders. The official visitor page, published on 24 June 2026, is the source for every figure and place name on this page.
It is a different route from the Pennine Bridleway, which is the National Trail designed for horse riders, cyclists, mountain bikers and walkers, also following the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Cumbria.
Where it goes
The trail runs between Edale, Derbyshire and Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders. It goes through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Parks, and also the North Pennines National Landscape.
You can walk the entire trail, a specific section, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail. Circular and linear walks are signposted from the National Trails website.
How long it takes
- Length: 268 miles (431 km)
- Time to complete: around 16 to 19 days
You can walk or ride the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route both ways. The official page says most people walk south to north, so they have the wind at their back, and that the official guidebook is also written from south to north.
The trail is open all year. You should be prepared for changeable weather all year round, including snow in winter.
Waymarks and terrain
Like other National Trails, it is marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name, for example on gates and signposts.
The official accessibility note is frank. The trail follows the Pennines with lots of ascents that can be challenging. It is a hilly route and in places very remote. In some places the paths are smooth and firm; in others the path may be narrow and uneven, or wet and boggy. The Yorkshire Dales National Park publishes “miles without stiles” walking routes and information about hiring a Tramper, an all-terrain mobility scooter.
What the official page says you may see
The visitor page lists wildlife such as waterfalls in Upper Teesdale, upland hay meadows, golden plover and curlew on the moorlands, and birds of prey in the Peak District and Northumberland. Historic and heritage sites include a Bronze Age burial site and Hadrian’s Wall. Nature reserves named on the page include Kinder Scout and Moor House – Upper Teesdale. Towns and villages named as places you can visit on the trail include Dufton, Garrigill, Alston and Bellingham.
Official example sections
GOV.UK gives an example of how the trail can be broken into sections. These are published distances, not a recommendation or a timing from this site. A few official notes are worth reading before you look at a map.
The first section, Edale to Crowden, 16 miles (26 km), is described as challenging. The trail starts in Edale and goes up Kinder Scout and Bleaklow Head, which the page calls the second-longest ascent of the trail, then crosses the Peak District’s gritstone moors into Crowden.
Later on, Malham to Horton in Ribblesdale, 14.5 miles (23 km), is described as one of the most popular sections, going through Malham Cove and Malham Tarn, with two sustained climbs of Pen-y-ghent and Fountains Fell.
Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton, 21 miles (34 km), includes High Cup and High Force and is also described as one of the most popular sections. The trail starts beside the River Tees before a challenging scramble by Cauldron Snout, and can be rocky and slippy in parts.
Dufton to Alston, 20 miles (32 km), is described as the most challenging section: the longest stretch, with the highest point of ascent at more than 3,000 feet (1,000 m), and some exposed ground. The trail climbs three summits, including Great Dun Fell and Cross Fell, then goes down the Corpse Road miners’ track to Garrigill. There are no amenities between Dufton and Garrigill except Greg’s Hut bothy.
Between Greenhead and Bellingham, 22 miles (35 km), the trail follows Hadrian’s Wall for 8 miles (12.8 km) and joins Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail briefly. There are no amenities on this section until Bellingham.
The last two sections, from Byrness over Windy Gyle to Kirk Yetholm, are remote. Part of the route often follows the fence that marks the England–Scotland border, and the official page notes that this is also a military training area. The final descent to Kirk Yetholm offers a higher or lower option.
Other published sections include Crowden to Standedge, Standedge to the Calder Valley, Calder Valley to Ickornshaw, Ickornshaw to Malham, Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes, Hawes to Tan Hill, Tan Hill to Middleton-in-Teesdale, Alston to Greenhead, and Bellingham to Byrness. Several of those are described as having few or no amenities, or navigation that can be challenging in bad weather. There is an alternative known as the Bowes Loop that splits the Tan Hill to Middleton-in-Teesdale section over two days with a stop in Bowes.
Maps
The official page lists these Ordnance Survey Explorer maps as covering the Pennine Way:
- OL1 The Peak District – Dark Peak Area
- OL16 The Cheviot Hills
- OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
- OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Area
- OL21 South Pennines
- OL30 Yorkshire Dales – Northern and Central Area
- OL31 North Pennines
- OL42 Kielder Water and Forest
- OL43 Hadrian’s Wall
There is also a map, and GPX data, on the National Trails website. If there are diversions or closures, they will be clearly signposted; follow the signs on the trail.
For general packing, weather, emergencies and overnight rules, use planning a long-distance walk and maps, waymarks and staying safe.
Sources
Checked 14 November 2026.