Pennine Way North - Based at Hexham

Sunday 6 July
A hard day. Diana, Pam, Joy, Sarah & David, Mike, Will, Ken and Vi were joined by Alan and Peter. Alan was filling in a gap in his Lands End to John O'Groats project and Peter was here to resume his acquaintance with the Pennine Way after a gap of seven years. Todays stage was from Dufton to Garrigill, fifteen miles over Cross Fell - the largest hill in England outside the Lake District, standing at nearly 3000 feet and covering a huges area. Despite a very poor weather forecast the summit of Cross Fell was reached in relative dryness however the eight mile descent was completed in torrential rain.

Monday 7 July
A lower level walk from Garrigill to Lambley. Rain in the morning. Plenty of walking beside the South Tyne, in impressive spate after yesterday's two inches of rain. We took time out to visit the interesting town of Alston. Soggy moorland in the afternoon to finish at Lambley.

Tuesday 8 July
Across the moors from Lambley to Greenhead where the Pennine Way joins the Hadrian's Wall Path. The Pennine Way shares the best of the wall. A sunny afternoon accompanied our walk from Walltown to Steel Rigg - a surprisingly hilly stretch of the wall.

Wednesday 9 July
Another outstanding stretch of wall before the Pennine Way strikes northwards again and crosses moorland and some attractive upland pasture to reach Bellingham. Apparently Bellingham is the gateway to the Northumberland National Park, so it's a pity that none of the four pubs were open!

Thursday 10 July
Bellingham to Byrness. Soggy moorland all morning and then it rained and rained. Described by the met men as a 'significant rainfall event' we stomped through the woods to Byrness with a slight detour thanks to a river which had burst its banks. Not the finest stretch of the PW!

Friday 11 July
A dry weather day but yesterday's 'significant rainfall event' was still in the ground, which was soggy as soggy could be! A stiff climb from Byrness took us up onto the ridge. Stunning views, such a contrast with yesterday's forest. A tough walk along the boggy ridge to Border Gate and a descent to Uswayford. One more day to go.

Saturday 12 July
A dry start. A pleasant climb back up to the ridge at Border Gate and then a flying start along slabs and duckboards to the Cheviot. From here on in the going is more challenging, but after a lunch stop at the mountain refuge hut, the final slog to Kirk Yetholm and journey's end. Noone dropped out or missed any of the route. Congratulations on a fine achievement.

Pennine Way Central - based at Hawes

Sunday 29 June
The seven walking 'all the way in one go' set out from Malham and followed the classic route up and over Malham Cove, through the Watlowes valley to Malham Tarn. The day started in sunshine but the rain caught up with us at Fountains Fell - it always rains on me there. As if by magic, the moment we left Fountains Fell the sun came out but there was a strong wind. The next obstacle was the formidable Pen-y-Ghent and its summit scramble, which was scaled in fine style and all that was left was the long gradual descent to Horton in Ribblesdale and a welcome pint of tea with Matthew at the Pen y Ghent cafe.

Monday 30 June
From Horton today, an attractive walk over the lonely moorland linking Ribblesdale and Wensleydale and passing over Cam Fell and following a stretch of the old Roman road.
Not spectacular but enjoyable, an early finish at Hawes facilitated some vital 'stocking up'.

Tuesday 1 July
A classic day, from Hawes across the meadows to Hardraw and then the long, steady climb up to the summit ridge of Great Shunner Fell and then a long ridge walk with stunning views. My profound thanks to the people who put the slab path in through the peat hags I remember it without.
From Shunner Fell a rubbly descent followed to Thwaite and our lunch stop. Kearton country hotel was as welcoming and friendly as ever. From Thwaite to Keld (and waterfalls) and thence across gently rising moorland to Tan Hill Inn where we were welcomed with gruff Yorkshire good humour (or at least I think that's what it was).

Wednesday 2 July
The seven were joined by Gill, who had two gaps to fill in to complete the Pennine Way. From Tan Hill, a very soggy moorland walk to Sleightholme and the A66. From the A66, a very soggy moorland walk to Grassholme reservoir near Baldersdale. We walked an extra mile to the reservoir's visitor centre (comfy loos) where the Klix machine was broken and the kettle was not considered a viable back up - still the sun was shining and they sold magnums. Not every day can be a classic.

Thursday 3 July
A classic. Bright sunshine. A walk over green sheep pasture to reach the Tees near Middleton-in-Teesdale and then a romp through the riverside meadows, past Low Force and High Force with orchids all the way. An early finish at Forest in Teesdale. Pam got some eggs from the farm and we got under cover just as the thunderstorm which had been building all day hit. Perfect. The final piece of Gill's Pennine Way jigsaw too - congratulations.

Friday 4 July.
The seven have been joined by Ken and Violet for the last eight stages. If yesterday's walk was perfect then I don't know how to classify today. We set out across the meadows from Forest in Teesdale toward the head of the Tees. Orchids and rare alpine flora all the way. A walk across verdant moorland beside the babbling Tees below Falcon Clints took us around the corner to the breathtaking view of Cauldron Snout. A climb up the side of the waterfall and across the bridge and we were heading west across a wilderness. We found a lamb trapped in the void below a cattle grid. Ken and David managed to extract it and reunite it with mum. Buoyed by this success we crossed the Maize Beck and wandered on to High Cup Nick - spectacular and totally unexpected by the group. A sunlit descent from 'the Nick' through green pennine hill pasture took us to the attractive village of Dufton where we found both a pub and a tearoom open to greet us - it doesn't get any better than this.

Pennine Way South, based at Hebden Bridge

Wednesday 25 June. Weary from the previous day the group took on the crippling climb from the Hebden Valley and across the moors to the Old Silent Inn at Ponden. Wet walkers were made to feel very welcome - thank you!

Thursday 26 June. Twelve very wet miles across the moors to finish in Thornton in Craven - joined up rain, we all felt very traditional.

Friday 27 June. A dry day and a super walk following the River Aire out of the Craven area and up to lovely Malham. A great boost to have reached the Dales with the best of the Pennine Way still to come!

Pennine Way South, based at Hebden Bridge

On Sunday 22 June the first group of Daypack Hikers to take on the Pennine Way 'all in one go' set off from Edale and traversed a very windy Kinder Scout to Snake Pass, all remained dry!

Monday 23 June - over Bleaklow and down to Crowden before climbing up, up, up through glorious Pennine scenery to the summit of Black Hill before a long descent (with some unforseen 'ups') to Wessenden Head.

Tuesday 24 June - the big walk. From Wessenden Head to Hebden Bridge by way of Black Moss, Blackstone Edge and innumerable reservoirs!

Pennine Way - Another Success!

Congratulations to our second group of 'Pennine Wayers', led by Roy Gatley, who completed their final stage and reached the Border Hotel at Kirk Yetholm last Saturday, 27 June. Congratulations to all.

Pennine Way - they did it!

Congratulations to our first group of 'Daypack Hikers' to complete the Pennine Way.

The group arrived at 5.30pm on Sunday 15th at the Border Hotel, Kirk Yetholm. The achievement was celebrated with suitable ceremony. Thanks to Alan and Pam for leading the group.

Roy's group sets out from Dufton on Sunday on their final leg. Good luck to them.

Ian's group sets out from Edale on Sunday, confronted with the whole thing. Blimey, isn't 270 miles a long way!

Come to Wensleydale with us -You Could Be Staying Here

The hotel in the picture is Stone House at Sedbusk, near Hawes, in beautiful Wensleydale.

One of our leading team has been out and about in North Yorkshire and tells us it's as good as he can remember it. High praise from one who has been walking in the area for three decades!

There are still spaces left on our guided walking holidays in July and September, just click the blog title.

For the more independent minded, check out our single centre self-guided trips, also based at Stone House. Visit our website http://www.footpath-holidays.com