The Best Ways to Discover the Pennines

The Pennines are often known as the ‘backbone of England’ stretching as they do from the Peak District in the Midlands almost all the way to the border with Scotland. This vast expanse of hills, mountains and valleys contains some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. It is a region where you can always discover something new with numerous paths and sights to explore. There are rivers, estuaries, gorges, ruins, stately homes, churches, not to mention the wildlife that makes this region home. Below we have chosen our 3 favourite ways to explore this wonderous place to help you make the most of your next trip to the region.

#1 Take a Helicopter Flight

You can only see so much of the Pennines from the ground, so why not explore the region from the air? From a high vantage point you have a different perspective and get to see how some of the most well-known sights integrate into the surrounding environment. Just imagine flying through the scenery of the Lake District and the peaks of the Yorkshire Dales!

There are some great options for pleasure flights across the north of England. You get to soar over the landscape with an exhilarating ride that will take you to some of the best loved sights across the Pennines. There are 5 different lengths of flight on offer starting at 5 minute rides, then 10, 15, 20 and 30 minute themed flights. Some of the most popular are the Chatsworth Tour, the Dambusters Run, Yorkshire Three Peaks, Wharfedale Wander, Lake District Trip, Compos Country Trail plus several Football Stadium flights. Prices start at £39 per person and go up to £205 for the longer flights.

Standard seats are located in the back of the helicopter and can accommodate up to 5 standard seat passengers per flight from most of the meeting sites. The helicopters have large windows that span from waist level to the roof, ensuring you will always get a great view (depending on the weather of course!). You even have the option of sitting in the co-pilot seat for a supplement. You get to sit in the separate cock-pit area, in the 2nd pilot seat and watch the pilot operate the controls!

Helicopter pilots are highly qualified and experienced and the team have been providing helicopter pleasure flights for over 25 years. They will ensure you get the best experience of the Pennines. They can also accommodate disabled passengers and experienced ground crew are accustomed to assisting elderly and infirm passengers.

#2 Hike the Pennine Way

If you want to explore the region up close, then one of the best ways is to hike all or part of the Pennine Way. It is one of the UK’s oldest and longest official walking trails at 260 miles long and covers a wonderful range of landscapes. If you walk the whole route you will encounter river valleys, mountain peaks, mud, peat bogs, moorland…it is a fantastic challenge to walk it all!

If that sounds a bit daunting, not to worry, there are plenty of shorter sections you can explore over a few hours. Kinder Scout at the beginning of the Way in the Dark Peak is a great option for views from its dominating plateau peak. While it can pose a bit of a challenge with peat bogs and hags, if you take the route up the River Noe you will be in for a treat with well maintained paths and gorgeous scenery. Further north you will find one of the country’s best waterfalls, High Force, which thunders over a 22m metre cliff of Whin Sill rock. It has a fantastically dramatic setting in a wooded valley and is well worth the effort to get there!

#3 Take a Driving Tour

A great way to experience the best the Pennines has to offer is to take a drive along its winding country roads. You can take in the stunning views as you make your way through valleys and mountain passes that dominate the region from the comfort of your car. There are plenty of route options to choose from and lots of picture-perfect towns and villages to stop at along the way for a cuppa. The Snake Pass in the Peak District is a beautifully scenic route. It is a mountain pass at 510 metres above sea level running 20 miles from Glossop to Ladybower reservoir at Ashopton. For a bit of a challenge head to the Cat ‘n’ Fiddle running between Buxton and Macclesfield with its hairpin bends and exciting descents. This route can be dangerous however and should only be attempted by experienced drivers. You can also combine your tour with a walk for a full day out in this unforgettable part of the country.