Walks in the Pennines
The Pennines are commonly known as the backbone of England. They stretch north from the Peak District in Derbyshire, around the northern and eastern edges of Lancashire and Greater Manchester, through the Yorkshire Dales past the Cumbrian Fells to the Cheviot Hills on the Anglo-Scottish border. The Pennine Way National Trail at 268 miles long practically follows the topline of the range. Despite being generally described as predominantly peat moorlands the Pennines have distinct areas of character. From north to south these can be described as the Border Moors and Forests, the Tyne Gap and Hadrian's Wall, the North Pennines, the Howgill Fells, the Yorkshire Dales, the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill, the South Pennines including the West Pennine Moors and the Dark Peak. I have walked in all these areas and this section features the best of my library of walks in the Pennines.
Approaching High Cup Nick while walking on the Pennine Way
Interactive map of the walks
| Walk | Miles | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aysgarth Falls | 2.2 | One of the Yorkshire Dales premier family walks to the most breathtaking series of waterfalls. |
| Keld and River Swale Waterfalls | 2.5 | This walk centered on Keld in Upper Swaledale is a delight for waterfall lovers. There are four to see. |
| Mill Gill Force from Askrigg | 3.1 | A real little gem of a walk to some fantastic waterfalls. A splendid walk for a Sunday Morning. |
| Hethpool, Great Hetha and Elsdonburn, Northumberland | 4.0 | A lovely walk from College Valley. Easy going bar one short climb to Great Hetha iron age hill fort. |
| Low Bradfield, Agden Side, Rocher Edge, High Bradfield | 4.3 | A lovely half day walk on the outskirts of Sheffield. There is much to enjoy on this very popular route. |
| Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss | 4.4 | Probably the most popular walk in the Yorkshire Dales. Suitable for all walkers including families with children. |
| Higger Tor and Padley Gorge | 5.5 | A wonderful contrast of heather moor in late summer bloom and an oak wooded gorge are to enjoy here. |
| Pen-y-ghent and Hull Pot | 6.1 | The classic walk from Horton in Ribblesdale which includes a visit to sunken Hull Pot. |
| Ilkley Moor and Burley Moor | 6.3 | A heather moor walk to the Twelve Apostles Stone Circle and to the famous Cow and Calf rocks. |
| Stanage Edge from Hathersage | 6.5 | The iconic dark peak walk to the most famous millstone grit escarpment of them all. |
| Earl Crag from Cowling | 7.0 | Walk to the landmarks of Wainman's Pinnacle and Lund's Tower, known locally as the Salt and Pepper Pots. |
| Pendle Hill | 7.3 | A walk up one of England's classic hills, the pride of Lancashire. While on Pendle Hill watch out for witches. |
| Bowland Knotts, Cold Stone and Ravens Castle | 7.7 | A Forest of Bowland walk to the best gritstone outcrops in the region. With great views of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. |
| Newton Tors, Northumberland | 7.9 | Newton Tors are a famous landmark in the last true wilderness of England. Colin Corlett contributes this walk. |
| Blackwood Edge & Rishworth Moor | 7.9 | A walk on the South Pennine moors between Halifax and Rochdale. One to blow the cobwebs away. |
| Langden Brook, Totridge and Bleadale Water | 8.0 | The climb to Totridge crosses Forest of Bowland moorland and then the descends to stunning Bleadale. |
| High Cup Nick from Dufton | 8.1 | A special adventure to one of the Pennine's iconic places and one which must be visited by all discerning walkers. |
| Romans, Raydale & Semer Water from Bainbridge | 8.3 | Begin by walking back in time over 2,000 years with the romans before visiting Raydale and Semer Water. |
| The Bronte Sisters and Railway Children Walk | 8.5 | A walk in the Oxenhope and Haworth area of the Worth Valley. Much variety with moor and valley to enjoy. |
| Mam Tor Ridge from Hope | 8.5 | This is clearly the most popular Peak District ridge walk on the environs of the Hope valley. |
| High Force, Low Force, Bleabeck Force & Teesdale | 8.7 | This walk explores Upper Teesdale and includes visits to three waterfalls. The walk also crosses remote uplands. |
| Penhill, Templar's Chapel and Redmire Force | 8.8 | Lower Wensleydale is the setting for this varied day of delights which begins in West Witton. |
| Kinder Scout | 8.8 | The objective of the honorable landmark Peak trespass. We were luckier than the pioneers of walking. |
| Marsden Moor and Pule Hill | 9.0 | This Pennine walk has breathtaking views on a gritstone edge separating counties and much more to enjoy. |
| Arkengarthdale from Reeth | 9.3 | A fascinating walk in one of the most beautiful but lesser known Yorkshire Dales. |
| Gunnerside Gill and Swinner Gill | 9.4 | Up Gunnerside Gill, across moor and down Swinner Gill, make for a fantastic round trip. |
| Ingleborough from Clapham | 9.5 | An ascent of Ingleborough from Clapham via Trow Gill and returning by a unplanned route. |
| Windy Hills, White Hill and Piethorne Reservoir | 9.5 | The walk from Newhey visits the Windy Hills and White Hill before following a reservoir chain back to the start. |
| Settle Caves and Waterfalls Walk | 9.6 | This magical walk visits waterfalls and caves in the centre of limestone country. |
| Standedge Trail & Oldham Way | 10.0 | A spectacular Pennine walk from Marsden with a spectacular example of our industrial heritage. |
| Bowes, River Greta, Bow Hills and Gilmonby Moor | 10.1 | A North Pennines walk from the village of Bowes along riverside and beckside and across moorland. |
| Dodd Fell & Wether Fell | 10.3 | A fantastic high level horseshoe walk from the poplular town of Hawes in Wensleydale. |
| Whitendale, Croasdale and the Roman Road | 10.3 | A walk on the fells of the Forest of Bowland which includes three miles of one of our finest Roman roads. |
| Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent Edge | 10.5 | A walk of contrast, a reservoir walk and then a moorland crossing followed by an exploration of Derwent Edge. |
| Bolton-by-Bowland, Sawley, Gisburn Bridge & Bolton Hall | 10.7 | A superb walk in north east Lancashire with the Ribble Way, ancient monuments and modern follies to visit. |
| The Great Ridge and Win Hill | 12.1 | Climb to Mam Tor then leads to Hollin's Cross, Back Tor and Lose Hill before the outstanding Win Hill finale. |
| Shelf Moor and Bleaklow | 12.1 | A tough walk but with many highlights including Torside Clough, Black Clough and the Longdendale Trail. |
| Wild Boar Fell and Uldale | 13.1 | A challenging fell walk to Wild Boar Fell followed by a scramblers adventure to secluded waterfalls. |
| Mastiles Lane & Malham Tarn from Kilnsey Crag | 14.2 | A walk from Kilnsey Crag on Mastiles Lane drove road to Malham Tarn and then over fells to a hidden waterfall. |
| Milburn, Great Dun Fell, Little Dun Fell and Cross Fell | 14.4 | The most popular walk in the North Pennines from the village of Milburn to the highest point of the Pennine range on Cross Fell. |
Feedback and Suggestions:
I am always pleased to received feedback on the structure and content of the website. I also welcome suggestions on how I can improve the website which may include new areas to cover, new walks or route alterations to existing walks. To contact me with feedback and/ or suggestions please complete the Walking Englishman Feedback Form. Thank you.
(Note: Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Postscript: My walk reports are not route guides and should not be treated as such. They are written with personal reflections of my walks)
