Pennine Way
~19 days · 255.8 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Pennine Way is known for
The Pennine Way runs for 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm across the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines, Hadrian's Wall country, and the Cheviots. This whole-trail itinerary follows OpenStreetMap super-relation 4080347 (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); official length and section scheme are published by National Trails.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,184 ft to 8,461 ft over 255.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 105.9 mi · 41%
- Downhill 108.8 mi · 43%
- Flat 41.1 mi · 16%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Pennine Way?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Pennine Way scores 66/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Pennine Way take?
Most backpackers hike the Pennine Way in about 19 days (18 nights out) over its 255.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Pennine Way?
The Pennine Way climbs roughly 35,312 ft total — about 138 ft per mile, topping out near 2,920 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.