April 24th will mark the 60th anniversary of the official opening of England’s first National Trail, The Pennine Way. Regarded as the UK’s most famous long-distance walks – and arguably the most challenging – its establishment paved the way for wider public access to some of England’s wildest landscapes.
Inspired by the journalist Tom Stephenson, who wrote an article in 1935 which suggested the establishment of a long-distance walk in England (described by Tom as a ‘long green trail’), it took another 30 years to make the idea a reality.
Tom, a keen walker – who later became the secretary of the Ramblers’ Association – was himself attendance at the trail’s official opening ceremony on Malham Moor. Since that day 65 years ago, walkers from around the world have enjoyed exploring the 268 mile route.
As we approach its 60th anniversary of the trail, which is estimated by accessed by over 150,000 people every year, a programme of special events has been announced. They include:
A Trail of Inspiration exhibition
Running between February and November, the Trail of Inspiration will be a rolling exhibition hosted at stops along the trail. Featuring works that explore the many different ways The Pennine Way has been an inspiration for art, literature, music and film, the exhibition will call at Dales Countryside Museum (1st February to 5th May), Hebden Bridge Town Hall (9th May to 31st May), Malham National Park Visitor Centre (6th June to 29th June), Bowlees Visitor Centre (2nd July to 31st August), and the Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre (12th September to 2nd November).
Haltwhistle Walking Festival – Celebrating the Pennine Way
Running from Saturday 26th April – Monday 5th May, the Haltwhistle Walking Festival will invite walkers to explore high moorland and forests, with the spirit of the Border Reivers and a frontier of Roman Empire for company, in Northumberland.
The Pennine Way at 60 with the Hexham Ramblers
From April to October, Hexham Ramblers will be hosting guided walks exploring the beauty and openness of the Pennine Way as it snakes north ‘between Tees and Eden’. Taking in Cross Fell, and following the ancient Maiden Way through Alston and the South Tyne valley on its way to Hadrian’s Wall, the route will showcase ‘the great heaving swells and deep-set glens of the Cheviots’ as described by Tom Stephenson himself.
Johnny Campbell – The Pennine Way Tour
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Pennine Way, folk musician Johnny Campbell will be taking on the route, accompanied by his guitar, and will play gigs nearly every night in a different location. He thinks that will mean 17 shows in 19 days. In addition, he’ll be joined in Horton in Ribblesdale by Wainwright prize-winning author Amy-Jane Beer (who’ll be reading excerpts from her books featuring the Yorkshire Dales), plus will be supported by local musician Jack Roscoe.
Individual Walks and Celebrations
What a Diamond! – a challenging 10-mile circular walk on Marsden Moor (April 27th)
This circular walk will connect sections of the Pennine Way through Marsden Moor National Trust Estate. After a steep climb up from Butterley Reservoir, walkers will enjoy far-reaching views from the ridge, before winding back along the old packhorse route and Huddersfield Narrow canal.
Access for All – an easy 3-mile circular on Marsden Moor (June 7th)
A chance to walk some of the Pennine Way route with National Trust Rangers, and learn about the history of the countryside access movement, including the Right to Roam.
The Pennine Way at 60 – Sampling the Two Toms Trail (April 24th)
Starting at Airton, a three-mile guided walk into Malham along the Pennine Way will finish with speeches and a communal singsong. It will also allow people to find out more about a new walking trail linking Tom Stephenson’s Lancashire home, and Pendle Hill, with the Pennine Way.
The Pennine Way, Pendle, and the Two Toms (April 27th)
An all-day celebration of Pendle Hill’s associations with two of the 20th century’s most inspirational countryside campaigners, Tom Stephenson and Thomas Arthur Leonard.
Walkers are invited to enjoy a traditional Sunday at the last Clarion House in Lancashire and hear from guest speakers. There will also be free guided walks along the ‘Two Toms Trail’, an old-fashioned ramblers’ sing-along, and a look at the work of the Pennine Paths Preservation Society.
The Pennine Way, Hawes & the River Ure (April 22nd/August 19th)
A five-mile guided walk from Hawes’ Dales Countryside Museum along the Pennine way to Hardraw, and then across fields to the village of Appersett. Highlights will include a delightful viaduct, which previously carried the Hawes to Garsdale railway across a Widdale Beck gorge.
Pennine Way 60th Anniversary Walk from Edale (April 25th)
A challenging 8-mile guided walk, hosted by the National Trust, celebrating 60 years of the Pennine Way from its start in Edale and returning along the Kinder skyline.
Guided walks in the North Pennines National Landscape (August 7, 16 , 21 and 28)
Throughout August, walkers have the chance join the North Pennines National Landscape team for a guided walks along the Pennine Way, with each walk exploring a different location along the trail.
For details of all the Pennine Way celebrations, special events, and anniversary walks, click here
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