Limestone path by Malham

Pennine Way – South

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On this page:

Overview

Route

What’s Included?

Itineraries & Prices

Accommodation

Travel Info

Additional Days

Overview

Walking Holidays

7 - 8 Nights

90 miles / 144 km

Prices from: £965 per person
Start: Edale, Peak District
Finish: Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire
Availability: Any start date from April to October
Grading: Challenging to Strenuous
Way-marked: Yes

South Pennine Way Highlights

The challenge

Take on the challenge of walking part of the oldest National Trail through some of the most rugged and beautiful countryside in the UK.

Northern welcome

Experience a warm Northern welcome at your accommodation and in local inns along the way.

Discover Yorkshire

Explore the landscape which inspired the Brontë sisters – Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights is all around.

Pen-y-ghent

Finish with a climb up Pen-y-ghent, one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Hebden Bridge

Discover the bohemian town of Hebden Bridge where you will find quirky shops and streets lined with delicious cafes and restaurants.

Geological wonders

Hike along the geological wonders of Yorkshire with Malham at its heart.

Discover Spectacular Malham Cove on the Pennine Way

The Pennine Way – South begins in the quaint village of Edale in the Peak District National Park. From here you will journey through the Yorkshire Dales, taking in a myriad of landscapes including ancient peat bogs, open heather-clad moorland, peaceful man-made lakes, rolling farmland and limestone hills.

The Pennine Way is Britain’s oldest National Trail, spanning 257 miles along the rugged backbone of England to the Scottish Borders. The southern section travels from the village of Edale in the Peak District National Park to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, nestling in the Yorkshire Dales National Parks. This is a challenging walk along ancient peat bogs, open heather-clad moorland, peaceful man-made lakes, rolling farmland and limestone hills.

Spanning 90 miles, this section of the Pennine Way provides a demanding but rewarding challenge. Known as one of the most challenging walks in Britain, the Pennine Way has gone through slight modifications to rebalance the most difficult sections.

You’ll walk under big open skies along moorland and rolling hills, across emerald fields with boulder walls snaking into the horizon. The trail is packed with geological wonders, which will take your breath away, and one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks is your final challenge.

This journey through the heart of England travels through two national parks, venturing through secluded areas and mill towns and villages from the first Industrial Revolution. You’ll become one of many who has hiked this legendary path, to become a true Pennine Pilgrim.

Pennine Way South Route Map

Recommended Itinerary

Our most popular itinerary is PENW-S2 which covers the route in 7 days / 8 nights.

Travel to Edale for your first night’s accommodation

Arrive in Horton-in-Ribblesdale and spend the evening at your first night’s accommodation.

Day 1: Edale to Torside (15 miles / 24 km)

Start your journey on the Pennine Way by climbing Jacob’s stone stepped ladder and skirting Kinder Scout with its rocky outcrops – a treasure of the Peak District National Park. Later in the day you’ll walk along the Devil’s Dike before descending off the hills into Torside.

Day 2: Torside to Standedge (12 miles / 19 km)

Begin the day by following the reservoir, before turning into the hills for a closer look at Laddow Rocks – a popular Fell running route. You’ll reach Black Hill – the highest point of the day – and a trio of reservoirs lie ahead. A final climb through windswept fields leads you to Standedge.

Day 3: Standedge to Calder Valley (14.5 miles / 23 km)

Easier terrain awaits today as you walk over heather clad moorland, passing a number of reservoirs before descending to your overnight stop – the charming town of Hebden Bridge.

Day 4: Calder Valley to Ponden / Stanbury (11 miles / 17.5 km)

The trail returns to the hills and hops along green farming fields. End the day by venturing into the magical landscape which inspired the Brontë sisters.

Day 5: Ponden / Stanbury to Gargrave (16 miles / 25.5 km)

Today you will return to the moors, venturing across hills and small settlements and encountering the Leeds – Liverpool canal, before arriving in the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

Day 6: Gargrave to Malham (6.5 miles / 10.5 km)

With a shorter walking day ahead, you will have more time to explore the surrounding area of Malham and its geological wonders. With rolling fields ahead, you’re now in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, following the River Aire until you reach Malham.

When you arrive into Malham you could walk to the impressive Gordale Scar – a huge gorge created during the last Ice Age, or visit Janet’s Foss – a waterfall nestled in picturesque woodland.

Day 7: Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale (14.5 miles / 23 km)

Your final day will pass the famous Malham Cove, a 230 ft white limestone cliff which is home to a pair of peregrine falcons. The limestone pavements on top shelter wildflowers, forming a unique habitat.

Continue across Malham Tarn Estate and the highest lake in England onto Fountains Fell and one of the famous Three Peaks – Pen-y-ghent. A rewarding descent leads you to your final overnight stop.

Onward travel

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the Pennine Way.

What’s Included?

Your Pennine Way walking holiday includes:

Carefully selected accommodation along the route and trail transfers when applicable
En-suite or private bathroom facilities whenever possible
Daily door-to-door baggage transfers
Comprehensive information pack, kit list, guidebook and map (one set per room)
Personalised itinerary with details of your accommodation, route and recommendations for lunch and dinner
Traditional English breakfast
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your walking holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Transport to and from the start and end of the walk
Lunches and evening meals

Itineraries & Prices

We offer 2 suggested itineraries for walking the Pennine Way – South.

Our most popular itinerary is PENW-S2 which covers the route in 7 days.

Tour code

Itinerary

Average miles

Difficulty

Price per person

PENW-S1

6 Days / 7 Nights

15 miles per day

Strenuous

From £965

Average miles : 15 miles per day

Tour code: PENW-S1

Difficulty : Strenuous

6 Days / 7 Nights (PENW-S1)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Edale for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Edale to Torside 15 miles / 24 km

Day 2 Torside to Standedge 12 miles / 19 km

Day 3 Standedge to Calder Valley 14.5 miles / 23 km

Day 4 Calder Valley to Ickornshaw (overnight Laneshawbridge) 16 miles / 25.5 km

Day 5 Ickornshaw to Malham 17.5 miles / 28 km

Day 6 Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale 14.5 miles / 23 km

Depart Onward travel from Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £965 per person

Good quality and comfortable B&Bs, guest houses and some hotels located as close to the trail as possible. We will prioritise en-suite facilities or a private bathroom, although in remote areas with limited accommodation this may not always be possible.

Enquire Now

PENW-S2

7 Days / 8 Nights

13 miles per day

Challenging

From £1095

Average miles : 13 miles per day

Tour code: PENW-S2

Difficulty : Challenging

7 Days / 8 Nights (PENW-S2)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Edale for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Edale to Torside 15 miles / 24 km

Day 2 Torside to Standedge 12 miles / 19 km

Day 3 Standedge to Calder Valley 14.5 miles / 23 km

Day 4 Calder Valley to Ponden / Stanbury 11 miles / 17.5 km

Day 5 Ponden / Stanbury to Gargrave 16 miles / 25.5 km

Day 6 Gargrave to Malham 6.5 miles / 10.5 km

Day 7 Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale 14.5 miles / 23 km

Depart Onward travel from Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £1095 per person

Enquire Now

Pennine Way Accommodation

All of the accommodation that we reserve for you has been personally selected by our expert team to ensure it meets our exacting standards. We regularly review our extensive database.

We will always prioritise accommodation as close to the walking trail as possible. Occasionally, your accommodation may be located a short distance from the trail, or you may need to spend more than one night in the same place, in which case we will provide return transfers.

Travel Information

As an environmentally conscious tour operator, we actively encourage the use of public transport by providing clients with a detailed breakdown of travel options in their information packs. The following information may help with your pre-trip planning.

Getting to Edale

By Air

Nearest international airport: Manchester Airport

From Manchester Airport there is a regular train service to Edale via Manchester city centre (journey time: 45 min).

By Public Transport

Nearest railway station: Edale

A frequent train service operates from Manchester to Edale (journey time 45 min).

There are regular trains to Manchester from throughout the UK. The journey from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly takes approximately 2 hours. The journey from central Scotland to Manchester Piccadilly Station takes between 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.

By Car

Long term car parking in Edale is limited, so we recommend that you travel by public transport. However, if you do plan to travel by car, it may be possible to park in Edale for the duration of your holiday. We can advise you about parking options when you make your enquiry.

Returning from Horton-in-Ribblesdale

By Air

Nearest International Airports: Manchester Airport

From Horton-in-Ribblesdale you can take a train to Leeds and then onwards to Manchester.

There are regular shuttle bus services from Manchester city centre to the airport.

By Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Horton-in-Ribblesdale

There are direct trains from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Leeds (journey time 1 hour 10 min) and Carlisle (journey time 1 hour 30 min). Both of these are well connected for onward transport throughout the UK.

By Car

Long term car parking in Horton-in-Ribblesdale is limited, so we recommend that you travel by public transport. However, if you do plan to travel by car, it may be possible to park in Horton-in-Ribblesdale for the duration of your holiday. We can advise you about parking options when you make your enquiry.

Additional Days

We would be delighted to arrange additional accommodation for you along the Pennine Way – South.

You may wish to plan a rest day or have an additional night at any of the locations along the route which offer activities or sightseeing opportunities – we’ve made some suggestions below. Please request this when you make an enquiry.

Edale

Explore the Peak District National Park
Book an exhilarating outdoor experience with Pure Outdoor Activities
Visit the Chestnut Centre – an otter and owl wildlife centre

Hebden Bridge

Voted the ‘4th Funkiest Town in the World’ – this quaint former mill town has reinvented itself in remarkable fashion
Take a walk along the canal and relax in one of the many cafes and bars
A short stroll away is Hardcastle Crags – home to 400 acres of woodland crisscrossed with footpaths. An interactive visitor centre tells the story of the valley
Relax on the canal with Hebden Bridge Cruises

Haworth

Wander the cobbled streets of this historic village and relax in one of its many charming cafes
Visit the home of the world-famous literary family, the Brontë sisters. The wonderfully preserved Brontë Parsonage Museum has been welcoming visitors for over 75 years
Hop on board a period train and travel on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway to Keighley, where you can visit Cliffe Castle – a Victorian millionaires’ home, or the 17th century East Riddlesden Hall

Malham

An extra day in the picturesque village of Malham would allow you to spend more time exploring Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, and Janet’s Foss
Explore Malham Tarn – the highest lake in England with lots of circular walking routes in the area

Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Stay for an extra day of walking and tackle the two other major peaks in Yorkshire
Travel through the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Fells on the Settle-Carlisle Railway
Take a guided tour into the longest show cave in Britain at White Scar Cave

How do our Walking Holidays Work?

For more than 20 years, we’ve been weaving together unforgettable walking holidays amidst the enchanting landscapes of the British Isles. Dive deeper into how they work in our comprehensive guide. Read more

Our client walking in the North York Moors National Park

Tackling the Pennine Way: Britain’s Classic Walking Trail

The Pennine Way is Britain's oldest National Trail, gaining a reputation as one of the toughest but most rewarding long-distance walks in the country. Jason from the Absolute Escapes team tackled the 90 mile stretch from Edale in the Peak District National Park to the Yorkshire village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Read more