50 photos to celebrate 50 years of the Pennine Way
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Britain’s oldest National Trail, the Pennine Way. The 268-mile route was launched after walker and journalist Tom Stephenson wrote an article in 1935, saying that Britain needed ‘a long green trail’ like the Appalachian Trail in America. After 30 years of lobbying and hard work, the Pennine Way was opened on April 24 1965, spawning another 14 National Trails around the country.
To celebrate the anniversary, I walked the Cumbrian leg, 34 miles from Langdon Beck to Alston, to write an article for The Independent. Guided by some of the lovely folk from Penrith Ramblers Association, I had a few scrambles up rocky boulders and some tiring climbs (all while laden down with a Duke of Edinburgh-style backpack), but it was well worth taking the hike.
Here are 50 of my favourite pictures from the trip, one for every year that the trail has been open.
The Pennine Way turns 50
Setting off from Langdon Beck
By the River Tees
Langdon Beck Youth Hostel also turns 50 this year
Room with a view at Langdon Beck Youth Hostel
Luckily there were none of these
Beside the Tees
Stones from Lancashire Cotton Mills pave the boggiest areas
Hiking along the Tees
Cauldron Snout
Cow Green Reservoir
The long road to High Cup Nick
A winding road beside a firing range
High Cup Nick
Nichol Chair
Straight line of a Cumbrian stone wall
The Stag Inn, Dufton
Crossing a stone bridge after leaving Dufton
Map checking with Sue Tomlinson
Sue's notes from her Pennine Way trip in the seventies
A water logged shake hole
Heading to Cross Fell
Rocky, barren trail to Cross Fell
At the Cross Fell summit
Sue sledding down from Cross Fell
Greg's hut, a respite for walkers
Walking from Cross Fell to Garrigill
Beneath the bridge at Alston
View from the top of Cauldron Snout
Argo cats for crossing the boggy terrain
Dufton green
Harry sledding down Cross Fell
View from a shoe, High Cup Nick
Rambling on the Pennine Way
The steam train to Alston
All aboard the South Tynedale steam train
'England's last wilderness'
Gorge crossing before High Cup Nick
Pennine Way residents
View from High Cup Nick
Leaving High Cup for Dufton
A cairn on Cross Fell
Sheltering from the wind at lunch
Picnic spot
Cumbria leg completed
The Eden Valley
Walking 'the backbone of England'
The Pennine Way
The gorge
The Pennine Way