Walks For Walking Holidays in The Pennines
The Pennines is an excellent destination for walking holidays, with its rugged landscapes, rolling hills, and stunning scenery. The area has several well-established walking routes, including the Pennine Way, one of the most popular long-distance walks in the UK. Here are some of the best walking holidays in the Pennines:
The Pennine Way: This 268-mile trail stretches from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland, passing through the heart of the Pennines. The route takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK, including the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Northumberland National Park.
The Coast to Coast Walk: This 192-mile trail starts on the west coast of England and finishes on the east coast, passing through the heart of the Pennines. The route includes several iconic landmarks, including the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors.
The Hadrian's Wall Path: This 84-mile trail follows the route of Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route takes in some of the best-preserved sections of the wall and several historic sites and landmarks.
The Pennine Bridleway: This 205-mile trail combines bridleways, byways, and quiet country lanes suitable for walking and cycling. The route takes in some of the most stunning landscapes in the Pennines, including the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Forest of Bowland.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks: This 24-mile circular route covers the three highest peaks in Yorkshire: Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough. It offers some of the best views of the Yorkshire Dales and is a popular challenge for walkers.
Circular Walks in the Yorkshire Pennines
The North Yorkshire Pennines are a beautiful and diverse area, with scenic circular walks to suit all abilities. These can all be completed within a day, so they are perfect for walking holidays using a holiday cottage as somewhere to rejuvenate tired legs and dry clothing each evening without having to carry heavy ruc sacs on your walk. Here are three circular walks to consider:
Roseberry Topping Circular Walk
This circular walk is approximately 3.5 miles long and includes the iconic Roseberry Topping Hill, which offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It starts and finishes at the Newton-under-Roseberry car park and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Along the way, you'll also pass through the pretty village of Newton and the picturesque Captain Cook's Monument.
This circular walk is approximately 7 miles long and takes in the beautiful Swaledale valley, with its rolling hills, dry-stone walls, and pretty villages. It starts and finishes in the village of Reeth and takes around 3-4 hours to complete. Along the way, you'll also pass through the historic lead-mining village of Gunnerside and the stunning waterfalls at Kisdon Force.
This circular walk is around 7 miles long and takes in the stunning limestone scenery of the Yorkshire Dales, with views of the iconic Ingleborough hill. The walk starts and finishes in the village of Clapham and takes around 4-5 hours to complete. Along the way, you'll also pass through the picturesque Ingleborough Nature Reserve and the pretty village of Ingleton.
Aysgarth Falls and Castle Bolton Circular Walk
This 7-mile circular walk includes the spectacular Aysgarth Falls, which are particularly impressive after heavy rainfall. It also passes through the pretty villages of Carperby and Castle Bolton, which have impressive castle ruins. The walk takes 3-4 hours to complete.
Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar Circular Walk
This 6-mile circular walk starts and finishes in the picturesque village of Malham. It includes the stunning Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar and takes 3-4 hours to complete. The walk offers spectacular views of the limestone scenery that the Yorkshire Dales are famous for.
These circular walks are just a few examples of the many beautiful walks in the North Yorkshire Pennines. Before going on any walk, remember to check the weather conditions and bring appropriate clothing and equipment.
Where to Stay
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Looking for more information and guidance on Pennine holidays. Here are some of our other helpful blogs about what to do and where to go and stay on self-catering holidays in the Pennines:
Towns to Visit in the West Yorkshire Pennines