Pennine Bridleway | National Trail

On Sunday 21st May we left Hayfield as the weather started to deteriorate and within thirty minutes the rain started and continued on and off the whole day. This would seem to be a recipe for an unpleasant days walking but we were in the hills between Hayfield and Tintwistle using the Pennine Bridleway as our route.

Even in the rain and relatively poor visibility the scenery was varied and interesting. The generally good surface underfoot really helped in the
poor weather. Footpaths in the Peak District can be muddy in inclement weather but the PBW proved acceptable even in these very wet conditions.

None of our party had been to Tintwistle before so we relied on the ‘Pubs along the Trail’ info on the National Trails website and visited the Bulls
Head. The warm welcome, good beer and excellent food soon dispelled any damp spirits and we left fully revived and looking forward to next months
walk from Tintwistle to Diggle.

Peter Fleming, Stoke on Trent

On the 23rd April 2006 I walked 10 miles of the PBW ending at Hayfield. The section from the west end of Rushup Edge (SK 091 824) to Hayfield was great walking. The weather was good and the scenery brilliant, take your camera! It was a Sunday and there were many others on the well marked route. These included horse riders, cyclists and four by fours who were all enjoying the route responsibly.

I walked with friends who were equally impressed with this part of the PBW and we found Hayfield a great place to end our walk. With the exception of the By-Pass it is a pleasant village and has some good pubs! We are looking forward to walking from Hayfield to Tintwistle in May.

"I walked sections of the Pennine Bridleway as an excellent alternative to the Pennine Way when I did a solo walk from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2005. I thoroughly enjoyed the sections I used; the only negative is the inconsiderate use of the Way by some cyclists. However, I find the same on shared walks at home in Scotland and accept that a compromise has to be achieved to encourage all comers to enjoy our brilliant countryside. I will be back; perhaps on a bike when I do my reverse LEJOG by bike in 2007".