The go-to, all-in-one guide to walking the Pennine Way, one of Britain’s most iconic and challenging long-distance trails, crossing the wild backbone of England.
The Pennine Way is Britain’s best-known and most iconic National Trail, stretching 253 miles (407.5 km) along the rugged “backbone of England.” Beginning in Edale in the Peak District National Park, the route heads north through wild moorlands and quiet dales before finishing just across the Scottish border at Kirk Yetholm. Crossing three national parks—the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and Northumberland National Park—this legendary trail showcases some of Britain’s finest upland scenery. Along the way, walkers encounter dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife, and deep historical connections, from the literary world of the Brontë family to the Roman heritage of Hadrian’s Wall.
This fully re-walked and completely updated 6th edition Trailblazer guide is built around what Trailblazer does best: maps that are large-scale, route-led, based on Ordnance Survey* mapping, that you can follow directly on the trail. With walking distances and times, accommodation, food stops and key landmarks shown on the map itself, there is no need to switch between text, apps or additional maps - everything you need is in one book. Ideal for those planning their first multi-day walk and for experienced hikers, the guide supports walkers who prefer to plan their own days rather than follow rigid stages.
In this Trailblazer guide you’ll find:
- 138 large-scale, edited walking maps (just under 1:20,000), with the added detail you need to walk with the book in hand so you can walk confidently without switching between apps or extra maps
- Unique Trailblazer mapping features, including distances and walking times, clear directions, tricky junctions, gradients, places to stay, places to eat and points of interest
- Flexible itineraries for all walkers - walk the full coast-to-coast route, choose shorter sections, or sample the highlights. The trail can be walked in either direction, and this guide supports both options with clear, directional mapping
- Clear stage planning helping you judge daily distances, terrain and ascent to suit your pace
- Detailed public transport information for access to all points along the trail
- Guides to towns and villages with practical advice for all budgets, including cafés, pubs and restaurants, plus B&Bs, hotels, hostels, bunkhouses and campsites
- Downloadable waypoints with GPS and what3words references, so you can navigate confidently with or without a device
Route highlights include:
- Challenging upland walking across the Kinder Scout and the wild moorlands of the South Pennines
- Historic Yorkshire towns and valleys including Hebden Bridge and Haworth, linked to the Brontë sisters
- Remote and rugged scenery through the Yorkshire Dales and into the North Pennines, including Hawes and Keld
- One of the most challenging sections across Cross Fell, known for its exposed and wild conditions
- Historic sites and Roman heritage near Hadrian’s Wall, including stretches around Greenhead
Detailed, reliable and inspiring, this long-established and regularly updated Trailblazer guide offers expert advice, excellent mapping, and everything you need to enjoy Pennine Way, whether it’s your first long-distance walk or your next great walking challenge.
*based on Ordnance Survey mapping (out-of-copyright), fully amended and updated by Trailblazer
Bradley Mayhew is a British travel writer specializing in the mountains of Asia. He is the co-author of Lonely Planet guides to Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, Central Asia, India and many others. He is also the co-author of Wilderness Press' Top Trails: Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks and starred in a ten-part documentary for European channel Arte on Europe's Most Beautiful Long Distance Trails.
Stuart Greig lives near the start of the Pennine Way. He has completed many of the UK's National Trails and undertaken many other multi-day walks in England, Scotland and Wales. In the gaps between long walks, he may be found walking and backpacking shorter routes in the hills of Cumbria and Yorkshire. The authors are based in the UK and Chile.
