Pennine Way

Pennine Way

An iconic walking trail through the Peak District, Pennines, Yorkshire and Northumberland.

3 to 22 nights
21-265 miles
Moderate to Strenuous

From £385 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

The Pennine Way was Britain’s first ever National Trail, and it remains the best-known and arguably the most challenging of the lot.

Through the wild landscapes of the Peaks, Pennines, Yorkshire Dales and the Cheviot Hills, this walking holiday straddles the spine of England as it stretches from Edale to Kirk Yetholm, taking in a wide variety of scenery from mountains to moorland. If you embark on the Pennine Way, expect to encounter inclement weather, phenomenal climbs and the binding comradery of walkers on a truly epic adventure.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Pennine Way
  • Pennine Way - Central Section
  • Pennine Way - South Section
  • Pennine Way - North Section
  • Pennine Way Short Break - North Section

Trail running tours available

We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.

About this route

15 to 22 nights
265 miles
Moderate / Demanding to Strenuous
1st April to 20th October

From £1750 per person

Pennine Way

Our walking holidays along the Pennine Way will bring you storming along the backbone of England, over gritstone moors, limestone pavement, peaty bogs and glaciated chasms. These wild landscapes mark the Pennine Way as one of the country’s most demanding long distance walks – and one of the most satisfying to complete.

The rising, falling route has its gentle moments, too. Through Swaledale, the Pennine Way tours farmland, crisscrossed by drystone walls. On a long stretch beside the River Tees, it sweeps through wildflower meadows. From even the highest summits, the trail finds its way into warmly welcoming villages.

It’s no surprise that the Pennine Way National Trail features on the bucket lists of many avid walkers. For its extensive history, unusual difficulty and stunning scenery, it’s an exceptionally popular and satisfying adventure for confident hikers. A self-guided walking holiday is the ideal way to tackle it at your own pace.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
PEN2 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 15 nights, 14 days walking Strenuous £1750
PEN3 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 16 nights, 15 days walking Strenuous £1860
PEN4 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 17 nights, 16 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £1980
PEN5 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 18 nights, 17 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £2090
PEN6 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 19 nights, 18 days walking Demanding £2210
PEN7 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 20 nights, 19 days walking Demanding £2305
PEN8 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 21 nights, 20 days walking Moderate / Demanding £2420
PEN9 From Edale to Kirk Yetholm 22 nights, 21 days walking Moderate / Demanding £2520

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
PENSBN From Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton(T) 3 nights, 2 days walking Moderate £385

Pennine Way 15 nights, 14 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights

Important information

Please note that due to the high volume of walkers attempting the Yorkshire Three Peaks, accommodation in Horton-in-Ribblesdale is scarce at weekends. If your stop in Horton-in-Ribblesdale falls at a weekend, a transfer may be required to take you to your accommodation. Please contact us for more information.

 

Start

Travel to Edale where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

Edale to Torside(T). 15.5 miles (25km) / 2129 ft (649 m) ascent

Day 2

Torside(T) to Standedge(T). 12.5 miles (20km) / 2208 ft (673 m) ascent

Day 3

Standedge(T) to Hebden Bridge. 16.5 miles (26.5km) / 1093 ft (333 m) ascent

Day 4

Hebden Bridge to Ickornshaw/Cowling(T). 17.5 miles (28km) / 2785 ft (849 m) ascent

Day 5

Ickornshaw/Cowling(T) to Malham. 18 miles (28.5km) / 2231 ft (680 m) ascent

Day 6

Malham to Hawes. 29 miles (46km) / 3894 ft (1187 m) ascent

Day 7

Hawes to Keld. 12.5 miles (20km) / 2241 ft (683 m) ascent

Day 8

Keld to Middleton-in-Teesdale. 20.5 miles (33km) / 2247 ft (685 m) ascent

Day 9

Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton(T). 20 miles (32km) / 2014 ft (614 m) ascent

Day 10

Dufton(T) to Alston. 20 miles (32km) / 3209 ft (978 m) ascent

Day 11

Alston to Greenhead(L). 17 miles (27km) / 1716 ft (523 m) ascent

Day 12

Greenhead(L) to Bellingham. 22.5 miles (36km) / 2536 ft (773 m) ascent

Day 13

Bellingham to Byrness(L). 15 miles (24km) / 1886 ft (575 m) ascent

Day 14

Byrness(L) to Kirk Yetholm. 28 miles (44.5km) / 4475 ft (1364 m) ascent

Finish

Depart from Kirk Yetholm after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£75.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£60.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Malham)
£75.00 per person / per night
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Pennine Way map
Edale to Kirk Yetholm
265 miles (424 km)
1st April to 20th October

Holiday highlights

The sense of achievement at having completed one of the most demanding long-distance trails in Britain.

Passing through a fantastic variety of landscapes, including three national parks.

Visiting many memorable locations, including the spectacular Pen-y-Ghent, beautiful Swaledale, charming villages such as Dufton and the historic milestones of Hadrian’s Wall.

What's included?

  • 15 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

If you would like to spend an extra day exploring the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, consider taking an extra night in Malham, where you can visit the National Park Information Centre and spend some more time absorbing the beauty of nearby Malham Cove, Malham Tarn, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss.

If you would prefer to spend your day relaxing, surrounded by Victorian architecture, shops and cafes, the small town of Middleton-in-Teesdale is also a good choice for an extra night

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Malham)
£75.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 265 miles (424 km)
Duration: 15 nights, 14 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 12.5 miles (20 km)
Maximum daily distance: 29 miles (46 km)
Code: PEN2 Grade: Strenuous
Season: 1st April - 20th October
Start of holiday: Edale
End of holiday: Kirk Yetholm

Route Profile

Pennine Way Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major city and international airports are Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

By Rail - There is a rail station at the start of the trail (Edale). The nearest rail station to the end of the trail (Kirk Yetholm) is at Berwick-upon-Tweed (about 22.5 miles away).

By Bus - There are no bus services to Edale. There is no viable bus service from Kirk Yetholm to Berwick-upon-Tweed, so a taxi would be the best option.

From London - Trains run from London Euston. Kings Cross & London St Pancras International stations to Edale.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail, is to take a taxi from Kirk Yetholm to Berwick-Upon-Tweed rail station. From there trains run to Edale.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.
"Old Halterburnhead" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024) "Old Halterburnhead" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024)
"The Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024) "The Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024)
"Greg's Hut, Cross Fell" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024) "Greg's Hut, Cross Fell" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024)
"Approaching Pen-y-Ghent" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024) "Approaching Pen-y-Ghent" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024)
"High Force Waterfall" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024) "High Force Waterfall" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024)
"At Dean Clough, Wessenden Head Moor" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024) "At Dean Clough, Wessenden Head Moor" by Cathy and Bob Lloyd (2024)
"A Fabulous Cheviots Day" by Robert Johnson (2023) "A Fabulous Cheviots Day" by Robert Johnson (2023)
"Perfect Day on Windy Gyle" by Robert Johnson (2023) "Perfect Day on Windy Gyle" by Robert Johnson (2023)
"Cheviots at their Best" by Robert Johnson (2023) "Cheviots at their Best" by Robert Johnson (2023)
"Atop Windy Gyle" by Robert Johnson (2023) "Atop Windy Gyle" by Robert Johnson (2023)
"Clear Path towards Great Dun Fell" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023) "Clear Path towards Great Dun Fell" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023)
"Cows in Cumbria" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023) "Cows in Cumbria" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023)
"A Meadow in Twaithe" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023) "A Meadow in Twaithe" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023)
"Bridge over Maize Beck" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023) "Bridge over Maize Beck" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023)
"Walking towards Twaithe" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023) "Walking towards Twaithe" by Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2023)
"Low Force Waterfall" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "Low Force Waterfall" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"Bowes Village Track" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "Bowes Village Track" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"Upper Teesdale Sheep" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "Upper Teesdale Sheep" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"Black Moor Signpost" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "Black Moor Signpost" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"Keld Waterfall" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "Keld Waterfall" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"Hawes Pastures View" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "Hawes Pastures View" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"River Ribble Bridge" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "River Ribble Bridge" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"Swaledale View" by Dagmara Ginter (2023) "Swaledale View" by Dagmara Ginter (2023)
"Towards Blakeley Reservoir" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023) "Towards Blakeley Reservoir" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023)
"Signpost on Bronte Country" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023) "Signpost on Bronte Country" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023)
"Black Hill View" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023) "Black Hill View" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023)
"Towards Stoodley Pike" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023) "Towards Stoodley Pike" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023)
"Torside Path" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023) "Torside Path" by Dagmara Ginter" (2023)
"We were here on the Cheviot" by Robert Johnson (2022) "We were here on the Cheviot" by Robert Johnson (2022)
"Fun Times on Hadrian's Wall" by Robert Johnson (2022) "Fun Times on Hadrian's Wall" by Robert Johnson (2022)
"Stoodley Pike" by Robert Johnson (2022) "Stoodley Pike" by Robert Johnson (2022)
"View of College Valley" by David Kershaw (2017) "View of College Valley" by David Kershaw (2017)
"View of Eildon Hills" by David Kershaw (2017) "View of Eildon Hills" by David Kershaw (2017)
A wildlife hide on the Pennine Way. - A wildlife hide on the Pennine Way.
A wildlife hide on the Pennine Way. A wildlife hide on the Pennine Way.
Waiting for the boss on the slopes of Kisdon - Aureen Harthorn - Waiting for the boss on the slopes of Kisdon - Aureen Harthorn
Waiting for the boss on the slopes of Kisdon - Aureen Harthorn Waiting for the boss on the slopes of Kisdon - Aureen Harthorn

Customer reviews from the Pennine Way

“Was an amazing Honeymoon. Once in a lifetime holiday. Had no problems at all with the whole holiday. Would happily use the company again.”
Mr Barrett, UK
“Long walk but I knew this. Great experience although more mud than I expected. Very friendly hosts, pubs and fellow walkers. Very happy with the role Contours played in the Pennine Way walk. High standard of accommodation but variable. Good logistics.”
Mr Hoskin, Australia
“An amazing life changing experience”
Mr Jones, UK
“An excellent walk and one of the pleasures is to meet fellow walkers and share experiences. The Pennine Way is a challenging walk and we feel pleased to have completed it.”
Mrs Deadman, UK
“Very well organized, big thank you”
Ms Rudnicki, Switzerland
“Contours planning and organisation flawless, as always. Will book another holiday with you in 28 days.”
Mr Matthews, UK
“Accommodations great, luggage transfers were a breeze, taxis provided to accommodations were superb. All in all, the organisation was first class. This is my fifth tour with Contours, and it certainly lived up to my expectations.”
Mr Metcalf, UK
“Organisation first class, as in previous bookings. thank you”
Mr Matthews, UK
“Well organized and trip information supplied was very comprehensive. Distances of walk each day suited our ability. Faultless. Loved the attention to detail by Contours. Nothing really left to chance.”
Mr Walsh, USA
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