THE PENNINE WAY Start - Edale, England 2   7   1     M   I   L   E   S Finish - Kirk Yetholm, Scotland

Most Popular Next Links -
Day 11; Day 10 Maps; Day 10 Photos; P.W. Index Page; Index Page

DAY 10 OF THE PENNINE WAY

Day 10 - Summary - Personal Report - Analysis - Facilities

STARTING POINT

Keld (O.S. 92 - 892010)

FINISHING POINT

Baldersdale (HALF WAY POINT !!!) (O.S. 92 - 932183)

LENGTH OF DAY

15 Miles (24 Km) {The Alternative route is 4.5 Miles (7.2 Km) longer}

ASCENT

1500 Ft (460 M) {The Alternative route has 400 Feet (120 Meters) more climbing}

Day 10 - Summary - Personal Report - Analysis - Facilities

DAY 10 SUMMARY

After getting a bit lost by accidentally following the Coast-to-Coast for about 1/2 mile, the
Pennine way goes to Tan Hill that is the highest pub in England at 1751 ft. The pub is 5 miles
into the days walk. From there it was just mainly moor land and boring, flat walking. One good
thing about it was that it was easy walking and we broke our highest average speed again by
doing 8 miles in just under 2 hours. We had lunch at Gods Bridge that is just a few metres from
the A66. From there, field paths and generally easy walking take us all the way to Baldersdale
Y.H.A. At Baldersdale there is a lovely nature reserve where in the evening we saw 2 otters who
were playing cat and mouse with us. As well as otters, the reserve area looks after a wide range
of birds, and fishes. There is also believed to be a fox in the reserve.

Day 10 - Summary - Personal Report - Analysis - Facilities

HOW I FOUND DAY 10

To Follow...

Day 10 - Summary - Personal Report - Analysis - Facilities

A MORE DETAILED LOOK AT DAY 10

From Keld it is very easy to follow the Coast to Coast footpath that crosses the Pennine Way
here or other footpaths that litter the area, because there is very bad sign posting in this area,
and lots of footpaths all going in approximately the same direction. But 3 ways of hopefully
picking the right path are listed below:-

1. If you are heading towards a solar powered electric gate you are on the wrong footpath.

2. If you are not heading on a compass bearing of about 350-5 degrees towards Black moor
   you are going the wrong way.

3. If you are on a rough moor which is slightly over grown, you are more likely to be on
   the right footpath than not.

However, as I did the Coast to Coast in 1996, I took this opportunity to check if there were any
changes to the sign posting. It is clear the situation has improved but is still slightly confusing.
After finding the correct footpath, which fits in with all these clues above you can make a very
swift march along the moor at quite a pace, even when it starts to climb gently up to Tan Hill
Inn, 5 miles from today's start. Tan Hill in its self is a British record, as it is the highest
Pub in Britain at 1751 ft (528 m)

From Tan Hill, which opens at 11 o'clock, on most days, the Pennine way takes you along one of
the longest stretches of moor on the Pennine Way, Slightholme Moor. All the way you are
following the River Greta. Along the whole length of the moor there is nothing except for the
A66, the river and a few piles of stones or cairns dotted along the way to see. The moor is flat
and very featureless, but for some reason it is not a very boring stretch, properly due to the
speed that can be easily set along here

Apart from that there is nothing to say about it until you reach the ideal lunch stop, however
before lunch the Pennine way splits in two again. The alternative route for hungry walker is the
ideal route, due to it going through Bowes, which has lovely cafes, but this put several miles on
the day, but for an out door lunch, the main route is the way to follow.

THE MAIN ROUTE

Just after Sleightholme the Pennine way divides in to two. This is the path that goes to the A66
following quickly, and you will find yourself moving away from the river that you will have been
for the last 5-6 miles, but you are now heading towards another river. This is the same river
that you have been following but it is the main tributary for the whole river. When you get to
the river you will notice the natural lime stone bridge which is used to cross the river. This also
helps us to work out why it is called Gods bridge. What it is, is a bridge made out of limestone
which the river has eroded away at the bottom to create a tunnel that the water flows down.

On one side of the river there is a small cliff which is a perfect place to sit down and have lunch,
while you can look down into the river.

You soon reach the A66 after leaving Gods bridge which is crossed by a bridge underneath the
road. This time it is not natural as it is a man made tunnel used primarily for Pennine Way walkers
so that they can make a safe crossing of the busy A66.

The final stretch along the main route - about 4 miles (6.5 km) after the crossing of the A66 is
easy stuff. The valley of Deep Dale is all that now lies in the way, but that is easily traversed.
The final mile and a bit, from Race Yate, is all down hill to Baldersdale which is the half way
point of the Pennine way.

THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

This Alternative is taking you into Bowes by following the river which you have been walking
along for a long time. Bowes was once said to be the half way point before Baldersdales Hostel
opened, which is now exactly half way.

In Bowes there is plenty that you can do, and if you want to cut your day short there is plenty of
accommodation and also a good place to stay for a rest day. However, for the pleasure of getting
a warm meal in Bowes does add an extra 4.5 miles on to the walk.

Baldersdale though is a good place to get to early for people who like nature as it does have a large
nature reserve with a large variety of creatures.

Day 10 - Summary - Personal Report - Analysis - Facilities

REFRESHMENTS

A hotel/public house (Tan hill inn (highest pub in England)) reachable for 11:30 you keep up a
good pace. Hotel/public houses and cafes at Bowes on alternative route.

ACCOMMODATION

Youth hostel in Baldersdale. Hotel/public houses and guest houses in the Bowes area.

Day 10 - Summary - Personal Report - Analysis - Facilities

Most Popular Next Links -
Day 11; Day 10 Maps; Day 10 Photos; P.W. Index Page; Index Page