Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
Coming soon
- On trail 16.6 mi 26.7 km
- Walking time 7–8 h
- Ascent 480 m 1,550 ft
- Descent 790 m 2,600 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
Over the Stainmore Gap to the halfway point and Teesdale.
Section 9: Tan Hill to Middleton-in-Teesdale map
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
Today you pass the halfway point of the Pennine Way, and the day divides opinion. From Tan Hill Inn the path crosses Sleightholme Moor, long and often squelchy, then the Stainmore Gap, the low pass that Bronze Age traders and the Romans used. It crosses the River Greta on God's Bridge, a natural limestone arch, passes under the A66 and follows walls north over the moor to the reservoirs of Baldersdale. The harder climb, over Lunedale, is saved for the end, before the drop into Middleton-in-Teesdale.
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Start of section
Tan Hill
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Wet feet
Sleightholme Moor
Endless peat and heather, most likely soggy. Walls and posts guide you across; in late summer the heather turns purple.
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God's Bridge
A natural limestone arch over the River Greta. The path crosses it, then passes under the A66 through the Stainmore Gap.
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Halfway
Baldersdale
A quiet dale of reservoirs and farms, around the halfway point of the Pennine Way. There is nowhere to buy food here.
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Lunedale to Middleton
The day's harder climb, over Lunedale, then down Harter Fell, where the line is vague in places, into Middleton-in-Teesdale.
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End of section
Middleton-in-Teesdale
Section 9: Tan Hill to Middleton-in-Teesdale overview
The ground
- Boggy moor
- Wall-following
- Reservoirs
Long, wet moorland, with walls to guide you. Not much climbing until Lunedale, but long and boggy. Some love the heather and the empty miles; others just count them.
Stops
Refreshments
- Tan Hill Inn at the start
- then nothing to buy on the line. Bowes
- on the official Bowes Loop
- has beds. Middleton-in-Teesdale has the Teesdale Hotel
- pubs
- cafés and a Co-op
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Middleton-in-Teesdale to Tan Hill
Walked north to south, you climb out of Middleton over Harter Fell and Lunedale, pass the Baldersdale reservoirs, cross the A66 and God's Bridge, and end with the long, wet climb over Sleightholme Moor to Tan Hill Inn.
End of section
Tan Hill
Tan Hill to Middleton-in-Teesdale FAQ
Where is the halfway point of the Pennine Way?
Around Baldersdale, on this section between Tan Hill and Middleton-in-Teesdale. The official guide marks today as the day you pass it.
What is the Bowes Loop?
An official variant from Trough Heads farm that goes into Bowes and rejoins the main line further north. It suits walkers who want a bed in Bowes or who are splitting the Way in two. Our line and distances follow the main route.
Where do I stay in Middleton-in-Teesdale?
Middleton has the most choice for days: the Teesdale Hotel, guest houses, B&Bs and a caravan park. Stock up at the Co-op; Teesdale has little until Dufton.
Can I download a GPX for Tan Hill to Middleton-in-Teesdale?
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 9 on the 15-day starts at Keld and passes Tan Hill Inn early. 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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