Wednesday 15 January 2014

A few facts about... The Pennine Way (Footpath No. 7)

The Pennine Way is “the Daddy” when it comes to long distance trails in Great Britain.

It runs for 267 miles (429 km) from Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border, south through the Northumberland National Park and the Yorkshire Dales, to Edale, a village in the northern Derbyshire Peak District. The path basically runs along the Pennine hills, which is sometimes described as the "backbone of England." It might not be the United Kingdom's longest National Trail (this distinction belongs to the 630-mile (1,014 km) long South West Coast Path), but it is, according to the Ramblers' Association, "one of Britain's best known and toughest." The Trail passes through three National Parks, The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, two National Nature Reserves and 20 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Stat fest!:

A survey by the National Trails agency reported that a walker covering the entire length of the trail (which is precisely what Big Dave intends to do) is obliged to navigate 287 gates, 249 timber stiles, 183 stone stiles and 204 bridges. 198 miles (319 km) of the route is on public footpaths, 70 miles (112 km) on public bridleways and 20 miles (32 km) on other public highways. The walker is aided by the provision of 458 waymarks.

There is far too much to mention about the Pennine Way in just one post... so expect three instalments about exactly what Big Dave will encounter over the next few days...








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