The Roof of England Walk is a 303km/188 mile route in the north of England. It is conceived as a journey around the North Pennines - a grand tour of the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.
The route will take you to the far-flung corners of the North Pennines. From high-level traverses across the moor tops and strolls through colourful hay meadows to riverside paths and stretches through woodland - this route has plenty to offer.
The North Pennines is a stunning, upland landscape of wide open moors, flower-rich hay meadows, intimate woods, inky-black night skies, charismatic wildlife, fascinating industrial heritage, tumbling rivers and dramatic waterfalls. Here you will find a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. Following the Roof of England Walk will allow you to immerse yourself in the area and to really discover and experience what this amazing area has to offer.
The route, launched in September 2025, is an initiative of the North Pennines National Landscape team. The name was chosen to reflect the walks lofty location in the uplands of northern England. By following it people will feel like they are on the 'Roof of England' - walking some of the country's highest footpaths and enjoying views of open moorlands, big skies, and enticing horizons.
The Roof of England Walk takes in:
- the classic U-shaped valley of High Cup Gill and High Cup Nick itself - a dramatic relic of the last glacial period 20,000 years ago.
- Great Dun Fell, Little Dun Fell and then Cross Fell - at 2,930ft (893m) the highest point in the Pennines.
- The stone sentinels of the Nine Standards above Kirkby Stephen.
- A fantastic section along Teesdale - Cow Green Reservoir, Cauldron's Snout, High Force and Low Force.
- Lead mining heritage in Weardale - old mining levels, washing floors, reservoirs and bouseteems.
- Dramatic upland landscapes in Lunedale and Baldersdale.
- A brief dip into the northern Yorkshire Dales - Swaledale - with its lead mining heritage, field barns and hay meadows.
- Inky-black night skies - with sparkling star clusters and constellations.
Discover the route at https://roofofenglandwalk.org.uk - including detailed pages on the route's 14 stages, how to plan your trip, public transport options, news, about the walk, route gpx and pdf downloads, and gallery.
