Discover the wild, expansive beauty of the North Pennines National Landscape, one of England’s most unspoilt upland regions and a designated UNESCO Global Geopark. From sweeping moorland plateaus and dramatic dales to tumbling waterfalls, remote hill summits and flower-rich hay meadows, the area offers some of the finest and quietest walking in northern England.

This comprehensive guidebook to walking in the North Pennines features 44 carefully selected routes across the region, ranging from accessible riverside walks to challenging high-level hikes on Cross Fell and the Pennine watershed. With detailed route descriptions, clear OS mapping and downloadable GPX files, it provides all the practical information you need to plan and enjoy rewarding walks in this distinctive upland landscape.

• Describes 44 walking routes across the North Pennines, ranging from short 9 km (6 miles) strolls to full-day hikes of up to 24km (15 miles), suitable for a wide range of abilities
• Walks explore Upper Teesdale, Weardale, Allendale, the South Tyne valley, the high moors around Cross Fell, the highest point in the Pennines, and more
• Clear OS 1:50,000 maps and downloadable GPX files for every route, making navigation straightforward across open moorland and dale paths of the National Landscape
• Practical information on access, parking, public transport and local facilities in towns like Brampton, Hexham and Kirkby Stephen to help you plan each walk with confidence
• Highlights include High Force and Cauldron Snout waterfalls, the dramatic landscape of High Cup Nick, sweeping views from the Pennine Way, and remote heather-clad fells rich in wildlife

Climb the long grassy slopes of Cross Fell, trace the course of the Pennine Way and discover waterfalls, wildflowers and far-reaching views along the way. Whether you are building confidence on shorter routes or ticking off classic Pennine summits, this guidebook helps you uncover the North Pennines’ hidden corners and iconic landmarks alike, creating memorable days out in one of England’s most atmospheric upland landscapes.

North Pennines - Quick Facts

Area name: North Pennines National Landscape
Location: Northern England (Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland)
Status: National Landscape (formerly AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark
Highest point: Cross Fell – 893m (2,930ft)
Landscape type: Upland moorland, limestone dales, river valleys and waterfalls
Famous features: High Force, High Cup Nick, Cauldron Snout
Long-distance trails: Pennine Way passes through the region
Typical walk distances: 9–24km (6–15 miles) for day routes
Terrain: Open moorland, grassy fells, riverside paths, stone tracks and upland plateaus
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, depending on route
Navigation: OS 1:50,000 mapping recommended; GPX useful on open access land
Best season: April to October (late spring for wildflowers, late summer for heather)

Author Highlight

“There is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy exploring the North Pennines, with walking routes to suit all abilities, from old, level railway trackbeds to extensive, pathless, tussocky moorland. For many years, the region was relatively unknown, being surrounded on all sides by more popular national parks. Since 1965, the Pennine Way has introduced more and more walkers to the region, many of them being surprised at how wild this part of the Pennines is, especially when compared to the gentler, greener Yorkshire Dales.”

- Paddy Dillon, author of Walking in the North Pennines

Map key
Overview map
INTRODUCTION
Geology
Landscape
Mining
Weather
Plants and wildlife
Access to the countryside
Getting to the North Pennines
Getting around the North Pennines
Tourist information and visitor centres
Maps
Emergencies
Using this guide

THE NORTH PENNINES
1 Geltsdale
Walk 1     Brampton, Gelt and Talkin
Walk 2     Hallbankgate and Cold Fell
Walk 3     Castle Carrock and Geltsdale
Walk 4     Croglin, Newbiggin and Croglin Fell
2 The East Fellside
Walk 5     Hartside, Black Fell and Renwick
Walk 6     Melmerby and Knapside Hill
Walk 7     Maiden Way – Kirkland to Alston
Walk 8     Blencarn, Cross Fell and Kirkland
Walk 9     Knockergill Pass – Knock to Garrigill
Walk 10     Dufton, Great Rundale and High Cup
3 Warcop Range
Walk 11     Murton, Murton Pike and Murton Fell
Walk 12     Hilton and Tinside Rigg
Walk 13     Mickle Fell via the Boundary Route
4 Stainmore
Walk 14     North Stainmore and Slate Quarry Moss
Walk 15     Kirkby Stephen and Nine Standards
Walk 16     The Tan Hill Inn and Sleightholme Moor
Walk 17     Bowes and Bowes Moor
5 Lower Teesdale
Walk 18     Greta Bridge and Brignall Banks
Walk 19     Barnard Castle and the Tees
Walk 20     Woodland and Copley
Walk 21     Cotherstone and Romaldkirk
6 Middle Teesdale
Walk 22     Tees Railway Walk
Walk 23     Middleton and Monk’s Moor
Walk 24     Middleton and Grassholme
7 Upper Teesdale
Walk 25     Low Force and High Force
Walk 26     Holwick and Hagworm Hill
Walk 27     Cronkley Fell
Walk 28     Cow Green and Widdybank Fell
Walk 29     Cow Green and Herdship Fell
8 Weardale
Walk 30     Wolsingham and Frosterley
Walk 31     Stanhope and Stanhope Dene
Walk 32     Westgate, Middlehope and Rookhope
Walk 33     Chapelfell Top and Noon Hill
Walk 34     Rookhope to Stanhope
9 Derwentside
Walk 35     Waskerley Way – Parkhead to Consett
Walk 36     Edmundbyers and Edmundbyers Common
Walk 37     Blanchland and Blanchland Moor
10 Devil’s Water
Walk 38     Devil’s Water and Hangman Hill
Walk 39     Dipton Mill and Dipton Burn
11 Allendale
Walk 40     Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Walk 41     Allendale Town and Hexhamshire Common
Walk 42     Allendale Town and Allenmill Flues
Walk 43     Ninebanks, Hard Rigg and the Dodd
12 South Tynedale
Walk 44     Alston, Garrigill and River South Tyne
Walk 45     Alston, Lambley and Haltwhistle
Walk 46     Slaggyford and Grey Nag
13 The Dale-Heads
Walk 47     Allenheads and Killhope Law
Walk 48     Cowshill and Killhope
Walk 49     Killhope Cross and Knoutberry Hill
Walk 50     Nenthead and Nag’s Head
APPENDIX A Route summary table
APPENDIX B Useful contacts
 

Seasons

all year round - region famous for its bleak and blustery weather!

Centres

Hexham, Consett, Barnard Castle, Kirkby Stephen, Appleby and Brampton

Difficulty

a variety of terrain from riverside strolls and old railway trackbeds to rugged moorland; walks up to 14 miles (23km) in length but nothing difficult; ability to navigate essential because of changing weather conditions

Must See

England's last wilderness; Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; Vale of Eden; fascinating geology eg the Whin Sill (first Geopark in England in 2003); rich industrial heritage (eg Killhope lead-mining museum)

June 2025

Walk 12 Hilton and Tinside Rigg

September 2024

Walk 44

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