Haltwhistle
Walking
Festival

More than just a walk...

Saturday 26th April – Monday 5th May

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For late bookings and urgent queries please email enquiries@haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org
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Pennine Way 60th Anniversary logo

Celebrate the Pennine Way’s 60th Anniversary at Haltwhistle Walking Festival

Hike high moorland and forests with the spirit of the Border Reivers and a frontier of Roman Empire for company. Myths and legends abound among wild country and lonely loughs. Quite simply, the Pennine Way is Britain’s oldest and most iconic National Trail – a 268-mile trek along the spine of England.

Join a celebratory three-day trek on the Pennine Way from Bellingham to Haltwhistle. Do one, two or all three days. Transport is included from and back to Haltwhistle.

Walk 21: Pennine Way – Day 1 Bellingham – Housesteads
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Walk 21: Pennine Way – Day 1 Bellingham – Housesteads
Sat, 03 May 09:00 AM
We start the day with some relatively flat miles close to the River North Tyne, and past some wonderfully remote farms. One, with a pele tower and fortified bastle, reminds us this was once a lawless land of feudal factions, raids and cattle-rustling.  We continue through open moorland and peaceful Wark Forest, rising steadily, emerging one last time from the forest to join Hadrian’s Wall and leave the Pennine Way for the day, heading for our pick-up point. Walk Stats Grade 4 - Strenuous Linear Route Multi Day Price: £15 Capacity: 25 Distance: 14 miles Ascent/Descent: 1673ft Ascent / 1331ft Descent Notes Extra…
confirmation_number £15.00
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Walk 23: Pennine Way – Day 2 – Housesteads to Greenhead
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Walk 23: Pennine Way – Day 2 – Housesteads to Greenhead
Sun, 04 May 09:00 AM
This is a stunning day’s walk where the Pennine Way coincides with some of the best-preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall. Here, we are on the Whin Sill ridge of hard, igneous rock that gives rise to some of the most dramatic scenery in Northumberland (eyes peeled for peregrines).  Much of the route is along the top of crags which drop off to the north, giving wonderful view both north and south.  After almost 10 miles of wild, open scenery we drop down to the beautiful Tipalt Burn near Thirlwall Castle and follow the burn into Greenhead for our pick-up back…
confirmation_number £20.00
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Walk 25: Pennine Way – Day 3 Greenhead to Haltwhistle
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Walk 25: Pennine Way – Day 3 Greenhead to Haltwhistle
Mon, 05 May 09:00 AM
Our bus takes us back to Greenhead for the final stage of our 3-day trail. This is very much a day of two halves.  First, we follow the Pennine Way over undulating moorland before looping back north.  The scenery now is different to anywhere we’ve seen over the last few days. We join the River South Tyne with views across to the impressive Featherstone Castle and follow it back to Haltwhistle.  Congratulations! – and welcome back to Halty! Walk Stats Grade 4 - Strenuous Price: £20 Capacity: 25 Distance: 12.5 miles Ascent/Descent: 1222ft ascent / 1255ft descent Notes Extra Info: n/a Meet: 08.50am for coach…
confirmation_number £20.00
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Take in the Pennine Way with any of our 3 circular walks along Hadrian’s Wall and the South Tyne Valley.

Walk 3: Rocks at the Edge of Empire
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Walk 3: Rocks at the Edge of Empire
Sat, 26 Apr 10:00 AM
Join Ian Jackson, local geologist and author of ‘Rocks at the Edge of Empire’. Explore the rocks that tell the story of the Romans and the landscapes of their northern frontier also known as Hadrian’s Wall and lying within Northumberland National Park. There are a couple of steep ascents to negotiate but the views and the knowledge gained will be well worth the effort. Walk Stats Grade 2 - Moderate Price: £15 Capacity: 15 Distance: 6 miles Ascent/Descent: 660ft Notes Extra Info: n/a Meet: 9:50am for 10.00am start Start Point The Sill Landscape and Discovery Centre Bardon Mill Northumberland NE47 7AN Grid Ref: NY752668 What3Words:…
confirmation_number £15.00
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Walk 7: Loughs Behind the Wall
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Walk 7: Loughs Behind the Wall
Mon, 28 Apr 10:30 AM
From The Sill, the National Landscape Discovery Centre, we climb up to Hadrian’s Wall which was built upon the igneous whin sill and affords splendid views of all four of the Wall’s glacier carved loughs (‘loffs’) formed towards the end of the Ice Age some 12,000 years ago. They are now internationally important for their communities of plants, otters, crayfish and wintering birds. Walk Stats Grade 2 - Moderate Price: £ 10 Capacity: 25 Distance: 8.5 miles Ascent/Descent: 751ft Notes Extra Info: n/a Meet: 10:20am for 10.30am start Start Point The Sill Landscape and Discovery Centre National Landscape Discovery Centre Bardon Mill Northumberland NE47 7AN Grid…
confirmation_number £10.00
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Walk 18: Trail to Tutman’s Hole
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Walk 18: Trail to Tutman’s Hole
Fri, 02 May 10:00 AM
This is a high-altitude circuit from England’s highest market town. We set out along the South Tyne to Kirkhaugh station on the South Tyne Heritage Railway. After a brief section of the Pennine Way National Trail, we head cross-country to Tutman’s Hole – a very remote entrance to caves described by a caving club as “a pleasant hands and knees crawl in fast flowing water”. Needless to say, we stay outside, before more cross-country moorland back to Alston. We are grateful to South Tynedale Railway for sponsoring this walk. www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk Walk Stats Grade 4 - Strenuous Price: £10 Capacity: 25 Distance: 11 miles…
confirmation_number £10.00
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Completely lovely day. I got to see the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site with an amazing bunch of people and lovely knowledgeable leaders. I hope to see you all next year.

T from Leicester 2024 Festival

Excellent few days in Haltwhistle. I don’t know why I waste my time going to other walking festivals. There is only ONE!!

J from Lancashire 2024 Festival

Great to learn about the area and experience warm Northumbrian hospitality in such fabulous scenery.

R from Morpeth 2024 Festival

I’ve been coming to the Haltwhistle Festival for quite a few years now and always look forward to it. From treading in the footsteps of Wainwright or the Border Reivers to wandering along the banks of the South Tyne or discovering England’s newest mountain, the walks are always well planned and imaginative. Together with the wonderful wild landscape and the exceptional friendliness of the group it makes for a most enjoyable holiday, well worth my 250 mile drive to get there.

Sue, Gloucestershire

It is well worth our 280 mile journey from West Wales to take part in the Haltwhistle walking festival. A stunning part of the country. Superb well organised walks. Mountains of local knowledge and fabulous company. Try to keep us away. Go once and you will keep going back.

Chris and Jeff West Wales

We have been supporting the Haltwhistle Walking Festival for many years. It is a great community enterprise run by friendly and sociable people. Thanks to you, we have explored remote parts of Northumberland (such as the Wilds of Wanney!) in the company of like-minded walkers. Looking forward to fresh adventures in 2020 and beyond.

Ann & Bernard, Newcastle upon Tyne

Haltwhistle, the geographical centre of Britain.

An ideal location for a fun-filled festival week with a selection of walks which you can mix, match or just choose one.

Important Info

Thinking about joining one of our walks? Familiarise yourself with our guidance and information at the link below before booking.

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Walking Advice

As well as incredible scenery, you’ll also encounter livestock and Open Access areas while walking in the Haltwhistle area. Read our guidance and advice for walking in Northumberland.

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About Us

The history and background of the festival.

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What walkers say about our festival...

2023 Festival

“I’ve been coming to the Haltwhistle Festival for quite a few years now and always look forward to it. From treading in the footsteps of Wainwright or the Border Reivers to wandering along the banks of the South Tyne or discovering England’s newest mountain, the walks are always well planned and imaginative. Together with the wonderful wild landscape and the exceptional friendliness of the group it makes for a most enjoyable holiday, well worth my 250 mile drive to get there.”

Sue from Gloucestershire

2024 Festival

“Great to learn about the area and experience warm Northumbrian hospitality in such fabulous scenery.”

R from Morpeth

2024 Festival

“Completely lovely day. I got to see the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site with an amazing bunch of people and lovely knowledgeable leaders. I hope to see you all next year.”

T from Leicester

2024 Festival

“Excellent few days in Haltwhistle. I don’t know why I waste my time going to other walking festivals. There is only ONE!!”

J from Lancashire