Starting
at Settle, the first two days pass through limestone country - which
Alfred Wainwright described in his pictorial guide ‘Walks in Limestone
Country’.
After passing the immense Hull Pot –– below the slopes of one
of the Three Peaks, Penyghent, and reputedly the largest hole in
England - the route arrives at Buckden in Wharfedale.
From the
delights of Swaledale the route passes the highest public house in
England, the Tan Hill Inn on Sleightholme Moor, before making its way
into Bowes with its ruined castle.
From Middleton-in-Teesdale a lovely
walk along part of the River Tees is followed by crossing over into
Weardale before reaching the medieval village of Blanchland.
Soon, by
way of Hexham with its magnificent Abbey, Hadrian’s Wall is reached –
Alfred Wainwright’s 1938 objective. The route follows probably the best
20 miles of this World Heritage Site, with opportunities to delve into
the history of the Roman occupation of Britain particularly at
Housesteads.
From the ruins of Thirlwall Castle, near Greenhead, the route
heads south, initially along the River South Tyne to Alston before
climbing over the shoulder of Cross Fell, the highest point in England
outside of Alfred Wainwright’s beloved Lakeland Fells.
The Eden valley
is followed to its source before the route crosses over to the River
Rawthey bordering on countryside described in Alfred Wainwright’s
‘Walks on the Howgill Fells’.
Bypassing the book town of Sedbergh the
route goes into Dentdale before arriving back in limestone country in
Ingleton after the ascent of one of the Three Peaks – Whernside.
The
final day from Ingleton sees the ascent of another of the Three Peaks,
Ingleborough, before the journey ends back in Settle.