Guidance

Pennine Bridleway: National Trail

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

The Pennine Bridleway is a National Trail that’s designed for horse riders, cyclists, mountain bikers and walkers. It’s 205 miles (330km) long and goes through the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Cumbria. 

The trail goes through the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.  

It follows a different route to the Pennine Way National Trail, which is open to walkers.

About the trail  

The trail goes between: 

• Middleton Top, Derbyshire (or Hartington Station for horse riders)
• Ravenstonedale, Cumbria 

The trail is linear but it also includes 2 large circular sections (loops): 

• The Mary Towneley Loop  
• The Settle Loop 

You can choose to ride, cycle or walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local walks and rides that follow some of the trail.

You can find circular and linear walks and rides on the National Trails website.

When to visit  

The trail is open all year.  

You should be prepared for snow in winter.  

Signposts on the trail 

All National Trails are signed with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

Walking, riding or cycling the whole trail  

The lengths of the whole trail are:  

• without the 2 loops: 174 miles (280km) 
• including the 2 loops: 205 miles (330km) 

The lengths of the 2 loops are:  

• Mary Towneley Loop: 47 miles (75.6km) 
• The Settle Loop: 10 miles (16km) 

You can walk or ride the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose.   

Most people start in the south, which offers an easier and gentler start to a journey. Many handbooks and guides are also written from south to north.

Accessibility on the trail 

There are no stiles affecting people on foot. There are 10 horse stiles that may present a barrier to some people or mobility scooters, but many of these have gates alongside. 

You can find more information about access for all in the Peak District National Park, including:  

• miles without stiles – Parsley Hay is linked to the trail  
• disabled parking and facilities 
• accessible activities – such as hiring a Tramper (an all-terrain mobility scooter) 

You can also follow the Pennine Bridleway and see what the trail looks like on Google Street View.

Trail suitability and terrain  

The trail follows a variety of surfaces including minor roads, gravel tracks, grassed stone tracks, cobbles and worn flags. 

The trail is not a particularly fast route for horse riders due to the stony nature of some of the tracks, however there are still opportunities to canter. 

The most southerly section follows the Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail, on reclaimed railway lines where the surface is relatively level. After this the gradient and surface become more changeable and challenging.  

The South Pennine valleys (crossed by the Mary Towneley Loop) are particularly steep. As the trail goes north through the Yorkshire Dales it becomes more remote and there are fewer facilities.

What you can experience on the trail  

There are many things you can experience on the Pennine Bridleway, including:   

• wildlife – such as around the reservoirs  
• historic and heritage sites  – such as Wycoller’s packhorse bridge
• nature reserves – such as Chee Dale  
• local culture, food and entertainment   

Some of the towns and villages you’ll go through or near are:  

• Uppermill 
• Wycoller  
• Hebden Bridge
• Long Preston
• Settle
• Ravenstonedale  

Part of the Pennine Bridleway joins the Tame Valley Loop, a 29km circular route for cyclists of all abilities.

Sections of the trail

The trail has 2 potential starting points in Derbyshire. The main starting point is at Middleton Top visitor centre on the High Peak Trail, near Wirksworth.

For horse riders, the recommended alternative starting point is at Hartington Station on the Tissington Trail. There’s a horsebox park with turning area, along with a shelter and watering point. This route avoids a section of the High Peak Trail that has low walled embankments that can be difficult.

Southern start point to the Mary Towneley Loop – 72 miles (115.8km)

The trail passes through Derbyshire and the Peak District, going northwards across the moors of Tameside and into Oldham. It goes past the edge of the village of Uppermill.

The trail continues past reservoirs and Hollingworth Lake, and reaches the moors of Rochdale before it joins the Mary Towneley Loop in the South Pennines.

The Mary Towneley Loop – 47 miles (75.6km)

The Mary Towneley Loop is a popular weekend’s walk or ride. Some mountain bikers challenge themselves to do it in a day.

From the top of the loop, the trail goes across the hills towards the village of Wycoller in Lancashire, before going across the slightly flatter landscape of the Ribble Valley.

The Settle Loop – 10 miles (16km)

The Settle Loop is a circuit in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a popular day’s walk or ride. You can extend it by using the bridleway network to visit the village of Malham.

From the Settle Loop to Cumbria – 50 miles (80.5km)

The trail goes north around Austwick before going to the more isolated Cam and Dent fells. After the Mallerstang valley, the trail climbs up and over Wild Boar Fell before going down towards the village of Ravenstonedale in Cumbria.

Maps for the trail 

 You can find:   

• a map on the National Trails website – you can also download GPX data  
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print 
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover the Pennine Bridleway are:   

• OL1 The Peak District – Dark Peak Area 
• OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley 
• OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Area 
• OL21 South Pennines 
• OL24 The Peak District – White Peak Area 

Diversions or closures on the trail  

If there are any diversions or closures of sections of the trail, these will be clearly signposted. You should always follow the signposts on the trail. 

Prepare for your visit  

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on: 

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures 
• planning your trip 
• what to prepare before you set off 
• what to do on the trail

Contact 

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:  

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.