Countryside

Pennine Way National Trail

256 miles (412km)

Edale to Kirk Yetholm:
The Grand Old Man of National Trails, the Pennine Way stretches for 270 miles across the spine of England. The walk can be demanding, not least because accommodation can be hard to come by. There are plenty of youth hostels near the path, but PLEASE book before starting to avoid unpleasant disappointments.

The path begins at Edale in the Peak District National Park, and before it reaches Kirk Yetholm just across the Scottish border it passes through two more National Parks (Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland) and one Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (North Pennines). NOTE: This is not a walk for novices, and good all-weather gear is essential.

Experienced walkers should allow at least two full weeks to cover the entire length of the path. Water may be hard to come by on the high moors, and temperature can be extremely cold, even in summer. June generally provides the best walking weather, though conditions are VERY changeable, and the wind and rain can always provide unexpected problems.

Youth Hostels
Edale, Crowden, Mankinholes, Haworth, Earby, Malham, Stainforth, Hawes, Keld, Baldersdale, Langdon Beck, Dufton, Alston, Greenhead, Once Brewed, Bellingham Byreness, Kirk Yetholm.
The YHA also has a camping barn at Holwick.
The YHA operates a Pennine Way booking bureau out of its Northern Region Offices at PO Box 11, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2XA Send a large SAE.

Ordnance Survey maps covering the Pennine Way National Trail:
Explorer OS maps (Scale: 4cm = 1 km / 1: 25000) - best for walking
EX1, EX2, EX16, EX19, EX21, EX30, EX31, EX42, EX43

Landranger OS maps (Scale: 2cm = 1km / 1: 50000)
LR74, LR80, LR86, LR87, LR90, LR92, LR98, LR103, LR109, LR110

All OS maps are available at 10% off retail price, by special arrangement if you order through Britain Express. Both laminated waterproof and plain paper maps are available.

Guidebooks & Accommodation
National Trail Guide - Pennine Way South: Edale to Bowes, by Tony Hopkins, Aurum Press, £8.79

National Trail Guide - Pennine Way North: Bowes to Kirk Yetholm, By Tony Hpkins, Aurum Press, £8.79

Walk This Way: Pennine Way by Peter Gorring, Dilys Cheetham Gotham Press, £4.99

Pennine Way Acoomodation and Camping Guide, Ramblers Association (see address below), £0.90

Also from the Ramblers Association: a free fact sheet entitled "An introduction to the Pennine Way". SASE

Stillwell's National Trail Companion by Tim Stillwell and Dean Conway, Stillwell Publications, £7.96 - lists accommodation on and near national trails throughout the UK and Ireland

The Rambler's Yearbook and Accommodation Guide published by the Rambler's Association - lists accommodation and walking resources.

The Pennine Way - A new complete guide to walking the Pennine Way, Britain's first long distance trail. Contains all the essential information you need to complete the trail.

Useful Contacts

Ramblers Association
2nd Floor, Camelford House
87-90 Albert Embankment
London, SE1 7TW
Tel: 0171 339 8500
Fax: 0171 339 8501
email: ramblers@london.ramblers.org.uk
Web Site : http://www.ramblers.org.uk/index.html

The Pennine Way Association
29 Springfield Park Avenue
Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6EL

Pennine Way National Trail Office
Clegg Nook, Cragg Road
Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire HX7 5EB
Tel: 01422 885649 Fax:01422 886381
Web site: http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/PennineWay/

The Sherpa Van Project are a commercial operator providing baggage transport and accommodation booking for walkers on the Pennine Way.