First suggested in 1935 it was not until after WW2 and the 1949 National Parks & Access to Countryside Act that the Pennine Way came into existence, being opened officially in 1965. If you include the loops the PW is almost 290 miles in length, running from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in Roxburghshire, and was the very first long distance path in the UK. Today, around a quarter of a million people walk on some part of the route each year... some covering short sections that may take a few days to complete, while others will take two or three weeks to cover the entire distance. Along the way you will pass through some of Britain's finest moorland and upland regions, through areas of wilderness that were once centres of mining hundreds of years ago, pass along part of Hadrian's Wall, find an opportunity for a refreshing pint at a pub that is claimed to be the highest in England [Tan Hill Inn], and encounter two of the great Pennine peaks - Pen-y-gent and Kinder Scout.

Approximate OS references: Kirk Yetholm Byrness - NT769028 Bellingham - NY842830 Crag Lough - NY769679 Greenhead - NY664658 Alston - NY720464 Garrigill - NY745413 Dufton - NY690250 Forest in Teesdale - NY865300 Middleton in Teesdale - NY949257 Bowes - NY996136 Tan Hill - NY908068 Keld - NY892010 Thwaite - SD894981 Hawes - SD875894 Horton in Ribblesdale - SD811723 Pen-y-gent - SD840734 Malham - SD900628 Gargrave - SD933540 Lothersdale - SD960460 Hebden Bridge - SD987273 Marsden - SE048111 Kinder Scout - SK085873 Edale - SK123858 MUCH OF OF ROUTE IS IN EXPOSED AND SOMETIMES HIGH-ISH UPLAND AREAS AND, AS WE KEEP ON RE-EMPHASISING ON THIS WEBSITE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE WELL PREPARED WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, MAPS AND CLOTHING. EVEN IN SUMMER WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN TURN NASTY AND DANGEROUS.