Pennine Way South
Highlights:
Traversing the South Pennine peaks
The Peak District National Park
Rolling, verdant farmland
Malham Cove’s stone amphitheatre
Brief:
⏱ Duration: 6 - 8 Days
🗺 Distance: 144 km
⛰ Grade: Hard
🗓 Best Time: March - October
🛏 Accomm: Bed & Breakfast; hotels
Walk Overview
The Pennine Way is the oldest of the United Kingdom’s 16 specially protected National Trails, having opened in 1966. At a length of 435 kilometres (270 miles), it is the second longest National Trail. It is generally considered the most challenging of the National Trails as its route along the Pennine mountain range (often referred to as the backbone of England) means the bulk of the path is mountainous and remote.
For walkers, especially English ones, the Pennine Way is a sentimental favourite. The story of its creation is an inspiring one, closely connected with the struggle, from the 1930’s onwards, for legal recognition of walkers’ rights of way. Proponents of the walk, in particular, the Ramblers Association, persisted with the original concept of a trail that avoided roads (and in doing so, fought against powerful vested interests). They succeeded but it took 30 years!
A few hardy souls tackle the Pennine Way in one go, or at least start with that intention, but for many of us it’s more feasible to undertake sections. Fortunately, the walk can be readily broken down into manageable sections and the “Pennine Way South” is one of those sections. For those wanting to follow the traditional south to north direction, it’s the first section, covering about one-third of the whole.
The Pennine Way South runs for 144 kilometres (90 miles) between Edale in the Peak District National Park and Horton-in-Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The walk traverses a wonderful mix of landscape:
Starting in the Peak District, this initial portion features the heather-clad, gritstone moorlands of the “Dark Peak” region and tranquil man-made lakes. The summits of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow Head offer extensive views of the whole walk ahead.
Leaving the Peak District, but still amongst the South Pennines, one enters the western fringe of the county of West Yorkshire. This area is often referred to as Bronte Country and is said to have provided inspiration for the literature of the Bronte sisters. In particular, the high moorland around the abandoned farm of Top Withins is believed to have been the backdrop for “Wuthering Heights”. Here walkers roam under vast skies through remote uplands.
Finally, it’s into the contrasting Yorkshire Dales - a patchwork region of rolling farmlands, woodlands and limestone scenery - all delineated by traditional stone walls.
Warm Northern English hospitality is on offer in the charming villages and small hamlets along the route. Also, in West Yorkshire, you pass through or near towns of the first industrial revolution, such as the mill town of Hebden Bridge which has been reinvented as a vibrant tourist spot and the attractive village of Haworth that features the home of the Bronte sisters, the Bronte Parsonage Museum.
There are geological wonders and spectacular mountain peaks to reward your efforts along the Pennine Way South. Pen-y-Ghent summit is reached on the final day of the walk and is one of Yorkshire’s three main peaks. Gordale Scar Gorge near Malham features spectacular overhanging cliffs and waterfalls. Another natural beauty landmark in the North Yorkshire region is Malham Cove. This is a large curved limestone cliff face which resembles an ampitheatre and was formed by a waterfall in the last Ice Age.
The complete walk covers 144 kilometres (90 miles) and generally takes between six and eight days of walking. Your total trip duration then depends on whether you incorporate rest days and, if so, how many.
Assistance and further information:
For assistance in walking all or part of the Pennine Way South, click the button below:
For more information on walking in the Peak District, click the button below:
A seven day itinerary for the Pennine Way South is described below.
Itinerary
The walk takes 6-8 days to complete. A typical seven day itinerary is shown below.
Day 1
Edale to Torside
Distance: 25 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
Torside to Standedge
Distance: 20 km
Time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 3
Standedge to Calder Valley
Distance: 24 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 4
Calder Valley to Pondon/Stanbury
Distance: 17 km
Time: 4 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 5
Pondon/Stanbury to Gargrave
Distance: 27 km
Time: 7 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 6
Gargrave to Malham
Distance: 11 km
Time: 3 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 7
Malham to Horton-in- Ribblesdale
Distance: 24 km
Time: 6 Hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Walk Options
Guided
There are currently a few walk tour operators who offer part or all of the Pennine Way South as a guided trip. There are also some operators who offer guided walks in the Peak District National Park and/or the Yorkshire Dales National Park, in each case including sections of the Pennine Way South. Accommodation is generally provided at one central base.
Typically, the package offered by these operators includes:
3 - 8 Day tour with professional guides
Comfortable accommodation
All meals
Transfers between the walk and the accommodation
Assisted self-guided
A number of tour operators offer the Pennine Way South as a self-guided trip.
Typically, the service includes:
Track notes, maps and information pack
Accommodation, usually with ensuites (the range and quantity of accommodation available in some villages is limited; also, the basic package offered by some tour operators might not always extend to ensuites)
Luggage transport between accommodation (and sometimes, where necessary, vehicle transfers between track and accommodation)
Breakfasts and optional packed lunches
24/7 Support
The duration of the self-guided options varies depending upon how far you wish to walk each day. Accommodation options range from comfortable through to luxury, again depending upon the size of the village or town and the purchased package.
Independent
There are camping grounds along the route that make camping on most nights a possibility. It’s also quite feasible to book accommodation along the route yourself and, if you require luggage transfers, to arrange that independently.
For those considering this option, it’s worth noting that the self-guided tour operators often have preferred rates with accommodation providers and luggage transfer companies. They also often have reserved allocations at the best-located/most suitable accommodation for the particular walk, so sometimes when accommodation shows no availability to an independent inquiry there’s still availability through a self-guided operator.
Essential Information
Access
The starting point for Pennine Way South is Edale in the county of Derbyshire.
The finishing point is Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire.
Both are readily accessible by public transport:
For Edale, there are regular trains from London’s St Pancras to Sheffield. From Sheffield, there’s a local train direct to Edale;
From Horton-in-Ribblesdale, there are trains to Leeds that has onward connections to London’s Kings Cross and Scotland.
Best time
The best time to do the walk is between March and October.
Difficulty
This walk is rated at a difficulty level of hard. The path follows the Pennines so much of it is mountainous and remote.
Accommodation
There are many accommodation options at either end of the Pennine Way South (Edale and Horton-in-Ribblesdale) and, generally, plenty along the route. Accommodation options include camping, hostels, B&B’s, guesthouses, inns and hotels.
Many of the accommodation providers, particularly those near to the route, are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers.
We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.
Dining
We can assist you in choosing special dining options along the route.
Other activities
As a popular tourist destination, the Peak District/Yorkshire Dales region offers many attractions in addition to the Pennine Way.
Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can explore these other attractions. Some will do that through rest days along the trail; others prefer ‘add-ons’ at the end of the walk. Some do both!
Malham is a popular choice for a rest day. From here, walkers can explore Malham Cove, Gordale Scar Gorge, Janet’s Foss waterfall and Malham Tarn (the highest lake in England). Hebden Bridge and Haworth are also good spots for rest days as they are mid-way through the walk, very attractive and have plenty to do.
Horton-in-Ribblesdale at the end of the walk provides a good base from which to summit the other two major Yorkshire peaks of Ingleborough and Whernside. Another attraction is the White Scar Cave which is Britain’s longest show cave.
We can assist walkers to explore the many attractions of the Peak District/Yorkshire Dales region
Assistance
We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.