13-day Pennine Way itinerary

1. Day 1

   Edale to Crowden

   8–9 h 17.0 mi (27.4 km) ↑ 890 m (2,900 ft) ↓ 880 m (2,900 ft)

   Kinder by Jacob's Ladder, the peat groughs of the plateau, then Bleaklow Head, where walkers lose the path in mist. Hard enough as a first day; on this plan tomorrow is harder. No food on the way and next to none at Crowden, so buy two days of lunches in Edale. Our only bed at Crowden is the campsite; otherwise operators bed walkers in Glossop or Padfield and drive them back.

   Example stay Crowden Camping and Caravanning Club Site (opens in a new tab)

2. Day 2 Longest

   Crowden to Blackshaw Head

   13–14 h 27.8 mi (44.8 km) ↑ 1,310 m (4,300 ft) ↓ 1,270 m (4,150 ft)

   The first big day, and it comes early. Black Hill and Wessenden Moor to Standedge, which has almost nothing to buy, then Blackstone Edge, the reservoir drains and Stoodley Pike above the Calder Valley. Most of it is flagstone or level track, which is what makes it possible. Blackshaw Head is up the far side of the valley, so the last climb comes at the end. Carry the day's food.

   Example stay Badger Fields

3. Day 3

   Blackshaw Head to Ickornshaw

   7–8 h 14.7 mi (23.6 km) ↑ 700 m (2,300 ft) ↓ 780 m (2,550 ft)

   Heptonstall Moor and the Brontë moors past Top Withins, the ruin thought to have inspired Wuthering Heights, then Ponden and Ickornshaw Moor. Route-finding can be testing on both moors in cloud. After yesterday this feels shorter than it is; Haworth, a little off route, has cafés. Ickornshaw's stays are self-catering, so carry supper in and check your bag can be left.

   Example stay Little Grans Self Catering Holiday Cottage (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   Ickornshaw to Malham

   8–9 h 17.5 mi (28.2 km) ↑ 750 m (2,450 ft) ↓ 760 m (2,500 ft)

   Fields, Pinhaw Beacon, Thornton-in-Craven and the canal through the Aire Gap: "mostly muck and manure", said Wainwright. Villages and cafés all the way, so travel light, but the field paths are vague and slow you down. Gargrave is lunch. Malham is the start of the limestone. Rest tonight: two of the next three days are long.

   Example stay The Buck Inn (opens in a new tab)

5. Day 5

   Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

   7–8 h 14.6 mi (23.5 km) ↑ 870 m (2,850 ft) ↓ 830 m (2,700 ft)

   Malham Cove and Tarn, then Fountains Fell, tougher than it looks, and Pen-y-ghent, the highest point so far. Nothing to buy on the way. Horton is short of beds on Saturdays when Three Peaks walkers are in, so book it first. Tomorrow is one of this plan's three 24.9 mi (40 km) days, so eat well.

   Example stay The Crown Hotel (opens in a new tab)

6. Day 6

   Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Keld

   12–13 h 26.4 mi (42.5 km) ↑ 1,290 m (4,250 ft) ↓ 1,190 m (3,900 ft)

   The second very long day. The Cam High Road climbs gently over Cam Fell and Dodd Fell to Hawes, the only food stop, then Hardraw and the long climb over Great Shunner Fell, exposed in rough weather, down to Thwaite and Swaledale. Start early and watch for the wrong turn between Thwaite and Keld. Keld has a handful of beds; book them well ahead.

   Example stay Keld Lodge

7. Day 7

   Keld to Middleton-in-Teesdale

   9–10 h 20.4 mi (32.8 km) ↑ 730 m (2,400 ft) ↓ 850 m (2,800 ft)

   Tan Hill Inn early, then Sleightholme Moor and the Stainmore Gap, wet underfoot most of the year, past halfway with walls to guide you. Lunedale's climb is saved for the end, and the drop to Middleton is not always clear in mist. Carry lunch. After yesterday this is a long day on tired legs; Middleton is a proper town to restock.

   Example stay The Teesdale Hotel (opens in a new tab)

8. Day 8

   Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton

   9–10 h 20.5 mi (33.0 km) ↑ 720 m (2,350 ft) ↓ 760 m (2,500 ft)

   Meadows by the Tees, Low Force, High Force, the rocky scramble beside Cauldron Snout, then the moor to High Cup, the best sight on the Way. The only tricky navigation is on that moor. More descent than ascent, which helps. Lunch at the Langdon Beck Hotel, just off the path. Dufton is the last village before Cross Fell: an early night.

   Example stay Brow Farm (opens in a new tab)

9. Day 9

   Dufton to Alston

   9–10 h 18.9 mi (30.5 km) ↑ 1,030 m (3,400 ft) ↓ 930 m (3,050 ft)

   Knock Fell, Great Dun Fell and Cross Fell, the highest point, where England's coldest temperature and strongest gust were recorded. The hardest climb on any plan. Greg's Hut is the only shelter; nothing before Garrigill. In foul weather wait a day in Dufton. The South Tyne footbridge between Garrigill and Alston is flood-damaged and the Way diverted (National Trails, October 2026): check the notice.

   Example stay Alston Youth Hostel (opens in a new tab)

10. Day 10

    Alston to Greenhead

    7–8 h 16.6 mi (26.7 km) ↑ 590 m (1,950 ft) ↓ 720 m (2,350 ft)

    Low ground for tired legs: the old railway out of Alston, the Roman Maiden Way, then the bog of Blenkinsopp Common, where the Pennines end at Round Hill and Wain Rigg. Fiddly field paths and wet feet; Wainwright called it tedious. On a fast plan it is a day to take steadily. Greenhead is at Hadrian's Wall.

    Example stay Holmhead Guest House (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Greenhead to Bellingham

    10–11 h 22.2 mi (35.7 km) ↑ 920 m (3,000 ft) ↓ 950 m (3,100 ft)

    Hadrian's Wall for 8 miles (12.8 km) of its best crags, steep up and down, then Wark Forest, fields and a dull road into Bellingham. Food means a detour to Once Brewed. Long, but it ends in a town. From 16 November 2026 to 26 March 2027 the Way is diverted on the road through Bellingham. Stock up there for the last two days.

    Example stay Lyndale Guest House (opens in a new tab)

12. Day 12

    Bellingham to Byrness

    7–8 h 15.2 mi (24.5 km) ↑ 640 m (2,100 ft) ↓ 530 m (1,750 ft)

    Heather moor over Whitley Pike and Brownrigg Head, boggy all year, then stony forest tracks into Byrness. Nowhere to buy lunch. Keep this day easy: tomorrow is the ridge. Byrness is barely a village and Forest View has seven rooms, so book it first, and ask for supper, an early breakfast and a packed lunch for the Cheviots.

    Example stay Forest View Walkers Inn (opens in a new tab)

13. Day 13

    Byrness to Kirk Yetholm

    12–13 h 24.9 mi (40.1 km) ↑ 1,320 m (4,350 ft) ↓ 1,440 m (4,700 ft)

    The third 24.9 mi (40 km) day and the hardest to stop: the Cheviot ridge along the border fence, no bed, shop or road. Leave Byrness at dawn. Deep bog, exposed tops and a military range (blank firing only); the huts at Yearning Saddle and Auchope are shelters only. Skip the Cheviot summit detour if you are slow. Thirteen days done, the Border Hotel's half pint is yours.

    Finish Pennine Way Finish

Cross-check: National Trails' Pennine Way trail information . The trail body says most walkers allow 16 to 19 days. This plan is faster than any of them. Distances on this page are from our line.

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