Walking the 268-mile Pennine Way in just 15 days was not only a remarkable personal accomplishment but also a testament to the power of determination, my mission was to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, and I was fortunate to collect just over £5,000.
Our pace averaged around 2 miles per hour, although on the rare flat stretches, we could cover a swift 4 miles per hour. Yet, the Pennine Way is anything but flat; it traverses rugged terrain with some of the most breath-taking vistas you’ll ever encounter.
About the Pennine Way
The Pennine Way is a National Trail in England, with a small section in Scotland. The trail stretches for 268 miles (431 km) from Edale, in the northern Derbyshire Peak District, north through the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Park and ends at Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border. The path runs along the Pennine hills, sometimes described as the “backbone of England”. Although not the United Kingdom’s longest National Trail it is according to The Ramblers “one of Britain’s best known and toughest” – Source – Pennine Way Wikipedia.
The Pennine Way is one of the UK’s most oldest, and arguably the most iconic long-distance footpaths, being officially opened in Malham in the Yorkshire Dales on 24 April 1965 after land disputes on the route had finally been settled, the Pennine Way was designated as Britain’s first National Trail.
Our Pennine Way 15 Day Route
The 15 day itinerary is listed below, the Pennine Way can be walked either way, but generally the start is considered to be Edale and the end Kirk Yetholm which is the route that Alfred Wainwright undertook in September 1938. Alfred Wainwright first proposed the trail in 1935, and after much lobbying, the Pennine Way officially opened on April 24, 1965, making it England’s first official National Trail.
The last stage from Byrness to Kirk Yetholm is usually completed in 1 day, which is 28 miles. In 2007 we had the option to take a small detour and break up our day by staying at Uswayford Farm, however it is now under new ownership and is no longer a B&B.
We carried a tent and sleeping bags, but only camped 1 out of the 14 nights in Gargrave due to July 2007 having heavy rain, we instead opted for comfort as accommodation was fairly easy to book, we stayed in a combination of Youth Hostels, Guest Houses and Pubs. When booking accommodation I would highly recommend booking the Tan Hill Inn first, it has limited availability and is one of the best stays, it is directly on the trail.
| Day | Route | Distance | Start & End | Accommodation |
| 1 | Edale to Crowden | 16.9 Miles | 11:45am – 7:40pm | The Old House B&B |
| 2 | Crowden to Mankinholes | 25 Miles | 8:45am – 9:55pm | Youth Hostel |
| 3 | Mankinholes to Ponden | 18 Miles | 10:00am – 7:10pm | Ponden House |
| 4 | Ponden to Gargrave | 19.3 Miles | 8.45am – 6:00pm | Tent on Campsite |
| 5 | Gargrave to Horton-in-Ribblesdale | 21.7 Miles | 8.30am – 7:30pm | Golden Lion Hotel |
| 6 | Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hawes | 14 Miles | 10.00am – 5:05pm | Youth Hostel |
| 7 | Hawes to Tan Hill | 19.6 Miles | 9.00am – 7:10pm | Tan Hill Inn |
| 8 | Tan Hill to Middleton-on-Tees | 19.75 Miles | 10.00am – 7:00pm | Guest House |
| 9 | Middleton-on-Tees to Dufton | 21.75 Miles | 9.20am – 7:20pm | Youth Hostel |
| 10 | Dufton to Alston | 20.17 Miles | 9.00am – 6:45pm | Guest House |
| 11 | Alston to Greenhead | 18.14 Miles | 10.00am – 6:30pm | Youth Hostel |
| 12 | Greenhead to Bellingham | 24.99 Miles | 8.00am – 8:15pm | Guest House |
| 13 | Bellingham to Byrness | 18 Miles | 9.20am – 6:00pm | Youth Hostel |
| 14 | Byrness to Uswayford | 17.28 Miles | 8.20am – 4:00pm | Uswayford Farm |
| 15 | Uswayford to Kirk Yetholm | 15.41 Miles | 8.20am – 1:50pm | Border Hotel |
| Total | 289 Miles |
Pennine Way the End
This was one of the biggest challenges in my life, which at times I doubted we might complete picking up injuries, exhaustion, getting bruised and battered, and having having one of the wettest weeks in UK history since 1776. Through gritted teeth we pushed on, an achievement which I will always remember and cherish. Pushing open the door to the Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm on 21st July to be greeted by a singing crowd was fantastic. In total it took us 14 days and 2 hours to complete this epic adventure, we threw off our soaking wet sodden boots, found a table near the roaring fire and had several beers to celebrate completing this epic walk with all the new friends we had made on the way.
