Walking in the North Pennines

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.

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)

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