Start your holiday in the charming village of Edale. The Moorlands Visitor Centre is open daily from April to September with free entry.  The village has two pubs, a café and a small shop. Wander around the village and check out The Old Nags Head where cask ales and food are served. This Inn is situated at the start of the Pennine Way!

Leave Edale and walk toward Torside & Crowden. This first day throws you straight into Pennine walking through the savage beauty of the Peak District. Hike over fine flagstone paths and through sheep pastures. Today, you will skirt around Kinder Scout (the Peak District’s highest mountain).  In good weather you may even get a glimpse of Pen-y-Ghent, a week’s walk north of where you are standing.  24km / 15 miles

Leave Torside or Crowden walking toward Standedge. Today’s walk is a classic mix of moorland, wide views and hills. Short climbs up to the gritstone outcrops of Laddow Rocks. Walk through pretty white fluffy cottongrass. Weather permitting, you will have outstanding views from the higher ground. An inviting descent down to Wessenden Reservoir.  22.5km / 14miles

Leave Standedge and head toward Calder Valley. Today is a relatively easy stretch of the Pennine Way. Gentle rolling moorland, and a series of tracks cross reservoir dams. The monument of Stoodley Pike can be seen along the walk. For better or worse, this monument will dominate the skyline for most of the day. You will eventually descend into Hebden Bridge and the Calder Valley.  24km / 15 miles.

Leave Calder Valley and head toward Ponden. Whilst your walk today starts with a cruel climb, the landscape is especially pretty. You are now entering the rolling Yorkshire Dales, Bronte country. The Brontës were one of the most remarkable literary families in English literature. They grew up in Haworth, inspired by the landscapes of Heptonstall Moor and Ickornshaw Moor. The steep cobbled streets of Haworth are a real treat. This village is where you are most likely to overnight. Explore the village and peep through the windows of the Bronte’s former home.  22.5km / 14 miles

Re-join the Pennine Way and head toward Thornton-in-Craven.  Walking over Ickornshaw Moor you may see grouse, curlew and golden plovers.  Today’s journey skirts past Cowling and Ickornshaw, then on toward Lothersdale, the last Pennine Mill town with its incongruous chimney. Down into Thornton-in-Craven.   22.5km / 14 miles

Leave Thornton-in-Craven and head north toward Malham.  A mile into today’s walk you come across the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (the longest canal in Britain). Walk along the towpath to enjoy watching the narrow boats and swans nesting in the reeds. Head on into Gargrave to view St Andrew’s Church, then on toward Malham where you’ll you will receive a warm welcome at The Lister Arms or The Buck Inn. Time for a pint!  15km / 9.5 miles

Today’s walk from Malham to Horton in Ribblesdale takes you into Three Peaks Country. A special day. The surroundings here are perfect walker’s territory. You are treated to the majestic Malham Cove and Malham Tarn Nature Reserve, before approaching Pen-y-Ghent. The highest point of your walk so far! This ‘hill’ is part of the Three Peaks Challenge. Views from here are breath-taking. Very apt, as Pen-y-Ghent means Hill of the Winds. 23km / 14.5 miles

Walk today from Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes. A very enjoyable section of the Way, exposed, exhilarating and with wide angled views. As you stroll along, the Ling Gill Nature Reserve offers an array of mixed trees and rare flora. There are views of the Ribblehead Viaduct, a charismatic piece of architecture. You are now heading toward Wensleydale Cheese country, and your supper in Hawes. 22.5km / 14 miles

What a day greets you today walking from Hawes to Upper Swaledale. Starting with a view of the fairy tale waterfall called Hardraw Force. After the greatest waterfall on the Way you will walk on to Great Shunner Fell, the highest point on the walk so far. Then on into Thwaite, regarded as one of the prettiest settlements along the Pennine Way, and finally on into Swaledale.  20km / 12.5 miles

Walk today from Upper Swaledale to Baldersdale. Follow an old packhorse trail across remote moorland. The Tan Hill Inn, a 17^th Century Inn is the most isolated pub you are ever likely to see. It is also the highest pub in England. Your challenge today is to reach the halfway point of the Pennine Way at Baldersdale. You will trudge through the greatest wilderness in the country. Finally walking down off of Cotherstone Moor into Baldersdale with its three large reservoirs.  22.5km / 14 miles

Continue north today from Baldersdale to Langdon Beck. Middleton in Teesdale is too tempting not to visit, and afterward some joyous walking along the riverside for the rest of the day. Pass Low Force and High Force waterfalls and arrive at Langdon Beck relaxed and ready for your evening meal. 22.5km / 14 miles

Your journey on from Langden Beck to Dufton may bring glimpses of peregrines and kestrels with a great viewing point at Falcon Clints. Have your cameras ready at High Cup Nick. A jaw dropping landscape where the valley floor has been carved by a glacier. Head on into Dufton with its pretty village green. Enjoy a restful evening.  19km / 12 miles

Dufton to Garrigill is a tough day, there is no kind way to say that! The route passes over the summit of Great Dun Fell, and over the Cross Fell range. The highest point of the Pennine Way. A tough walking day, where you could be rewarded with views of mountain birds. The best view may well be the walk into Garrigill and a pint at the pub!  26km / 16 miles

Walk from Garrigill to Slaggyford. Start your day with the Way running parallel to the River South Tyne into the historic village of Alston. As you start to make progress north toward Hadrian’s Wall, you can see a Roman Fort called Whitley Castle. This is the highest stone built Roman Fort in Britain. The old Kirkhaugh Railway Station is on the South Tynedale Railway which follows part of the route of the old Haltwhistle Line. Your walking day ends at Slaggyford. The word ‘slaggy’ means ‘muddy’.  14.5km / 9 miles

Leave Slaggyford for Greenhead. At this point on the Pennine Way the River South Tyne is still close by, and as each mile goes by you may be able to glimpse Hadrian’s Wall in the distance. Once across Hartleyburn Common, you will see Greenhead. A welcome will await you at this small village Inn. Rest up for tomorrow’s section, and some great sights along the Hadrians Wall.  16.5km / 10.5 miles

Walk today from Greenhead to Once Brewed. A suitable short day on mileage to allow time to visit some Roman sights. Your first stop should be at Thirlwell Castle, the ruin of a fortified tower-house dating back some 700 years. If Roman history interests you, then visit the Roman Army Museum on the outskirts of Greenhead. Further along the Wall are Cawfield Crags which is one of the best-preserved sections of the Wall. Your walk today is to Once Brewed, where you can visit the local Twice Brewed Inn. This is a great place to add an extra day. On your Rest Day you could go on a brewery tour (this would need to be pre-booked), or visit the Roman Forts at Vindolanda and Housesteads.  10.5km / 6.5 miles

Walking from Once Brewed to Bellingham starts again along Hadrian’s Wall Path. Before heading back north onto the Pennine Way, you could take a short diversion to visit Housesteads Roman Fort before reclaiming the Way as your chosen route. Once heading north again you enter Wark Forest (part of Kielder Forest). The largest man-made forest in Europe.   25km / 15.5 miles

Leave Bellingham for Byrness, and you are on your way to the Cheviots – heathery landscapes and wonderful views. There are vast forest plantations on today’s walk, so you may see Roe Deer.  24km / 15 miles

Walk from Byrness to Windy Gyle. You now have just 27 miles to walk over two days. The Cheviots are home to herds of wild goats. As well as merlin, buzzards and black grouse, even golden eagles have been spotted here in this fabulous wilderness. 22.5km / 14 miles

You are finally on your last day’s walk. Just 13 miles to complete the most demanding National Trail in England. Yes, it will be windy. Yes, it will be boggy. But stride out today knowing what a deeply satisfying and triumphant experience you have had. You may call yourself a Pennine bog-trotter. Head off to the Border Hotel and celebrate with some great beer and food.  20.5km / 13 miles

After breakfast leave Kirk Yetholm for your return journey home.