Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
Coming soon
- On trail 16.4 mi 26.4 km
- Walking time 8–9 h
- Ascent 1,030 m 3,400 ft
- Descent 750 m 2,450 ft
- Difficulty Hard
Great Shunner Fell, Swaledale and Keld, to one of the Way's legendary pubs.
Section 8: Hawes to Tan Hill map
Example stay Tan Hill Inn (opens in a new tab)
Cross-check: Pennine Way route description on National Trails . The walk follows that page's sixteen days, checked 17 October 2026. Distance and climb are measured on our line between these ends, not taken from its mile figures.
The walk
A Pennine Way classic, and a strong case for the top five. After Hardraw and what the official guide calls the finest waterfall on the Way, a gradual, thrilling climb leads onto Great Shunner Fell, the highest point so far. Up here it feels like the backbone of England. The path drops to little Thwaite, follows the dashing cleft of Swaledale past waterfalls to Keld, where it crosses the Coast to Coast, then climbs steeply back onto the moor to end at Tan Hill Inn.
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Start of section
Hawes
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Hardraw Force
A short detour at Hardraw, by the Green Dragon Inn. The official guide calls it the finest waterfall on the Way.
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Highest point so far
Great Shunner Fell
A long, gradual climb, flagged in places, to the top. Wainwright claimed he could climb it nonstop. In clear weather it feels like walking the backbone of England.
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Lunch
Thwaite and Keld
Kearton's tearoom at Thwaite, then the path above Swaledale past the waterfalls to Keld, where the Pennine Way crosses the Coast to Coast. Keld is a few minutes off route.
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Night
Tan Hill Inn
A steep, short climb out of Swaledale and across the moor to a lone inn, one of the Way's legendary pubs. A night to remember.
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End of section
Tan Hill
Section 8: Hawes to Tan Hill overview
The ground
- Long climb
- Exposed fell
- Riverside
- Moor
A long climb over the highest fell yet, then Swaledale. Longer and higher than the day from Horton, with the biggest climb in the Dales. Great Shunner Fell is exposed in bad weather.
Stops
Refreshments
- The Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw early on; Kearton's tearoom at Thwaite; Keld
- a few minutes off route
- has Keld Lodge. Tan Hill Inn at the end serves food and has rooms
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Tan Hill to Hawes
Walked north to south, you drop from Tan Hill to Keld, follow Swaledale to Thwaite, climb Great Shunner Fell from the north and come down past Hardraw into Hawes, the best-supplied town for days.
End of section
Hawes
Hawes to Tan Hill FAQ
Should I stop at Keld or Tan Hill?
Tan Hill Inn is a famous night but the only bed at the end of the section, and it books out. Keld has more beds and is a few kilometres shorter; it puts the inn at the start of the next day. Our 15-day plan stops at Keld.
How hard is Hawes to Tan Hill?
One of the bigger days: a long climb over Great Shunner Fell, the highest point so far, then a second climb out of Swaledale at the end. Exposed in bad weather.
Where does the Pennine Way cross the Coast to Coast?
At Keld, in upper Swaledale. The Coast to Coast runs east and west along the dale; the Pennine Way crosses it heading north for Tan Hill.
Can I download a GPX for Hawes to Tan Hill?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Day 8 on the 15-day stops at Keld, a few kilometres short. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 15-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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