Running the Pennine Way — Route Guide & Guided Trips
Britain's original long-distance path is 431 km of moorland, and running it in sections is a far better idea than most people's first instinct to attempt the whole thing.
The Pennine Way's reputation for grimness comes from the peat. Large stretches are now flagged, which has transformed the running, but between the flags it is still heavy, wet ground that punishes anyone pushing pace.
The best running sections are the ones with structure: Edale over Kinder to Crowden, Malham Cove up to Pen-y-ghent, the Teesdale waterfalls to High Cup Nick, and the Hadrian's Wall crossing where the two great trails share ground.
At a glance
| Distance | Approx. 431 km end to end; sections of 20–45 km |
| Ascent | Approx. 11,000 m over the full path |
| Terrain | Peat moor, flagstone causeway, limestone, gritstone edge and farmland |
| Best season | May to September for the full path; sections year-round |
| Difficulty | Hard — the ground is heavy and the weather is exposed |
| Start point | Edale (south) or Kirk Yetholm (north) |
| Region | Pennines |
| Guided | Yes — quoted against dates and group size, request a quote |
The route, section by section
| Section | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Edale to Crowden | Approx. 26 km — Kinder Scout, Bleaklow, flagstone and peat |
| Malham to Horton | Approx. 24 km — limestone, Malham Cove and Pen-y-ghent |
| Middleton to Dufton | Approx. 32 km — waterfalls, then High Cup Nick, the finest view on the path |
| Greenhead to Bellingham | Approx. 35 km — the Hadrian's Wall crags and into the forest |
Route notes and safety
Section running is the sensible approach: pick the good bits, use the bus and train links, and skip the long agricultural stretches. If you want the full path, the standard runner's schedule is seven to twelve days with baggage transfer.
Running it guided
We guide this route for individuals and small groups. That means route planning, navigation, pace matched to you, safety kit and first-aid cover carried by the guide, and a kit list sent before you travel. Price is quoted against your dates and group size.
- A guide on every run, with route planning and navigation
- Pace grouping, so nobody is dropped and nobody is held back
- Safety kit carried by the guide, plus first-aid cover
- A personalised kit list before you travel
- Technique and pacing coaching on trail, at no extra cost
- Accommodation and transfers bundled in if you want them
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to run the Pennine Way?
Most runners take seven to twelve days for the full 431 km with support or baggage transfer. Section running over several weekends is far more common and, for most people, more enjoyable.
Which is the best section of the Pennine Way to run?
Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton, for the waterfalls and High Cup Nick. Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale is the best limestone running, and Edale to Crowden is the classic gritstone opening.
Is the Pennine Way boggy?
Less than its reputation suggests — much of the worst peat is now flagged — but yes, between the flagstones expect wet, heavy ground, especially on Kinder, Bleaklow and the Cheviots.
Where to go next
Ready to run?
Tell us your dates, your rough weekly mileage and where you'd like to run. We'll come back with the routes we'd recommend, availability and a price.