National Cycle Route 68

The Pennine Cycleway is a Sustrans-sponsored route in the Pennines range in northern England, an area often called the "backbone of England". The route passes through the counties of Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland. It is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN). Sustrans founder John Grimshaw calls it 'the best National Cycle Network route of the lot'.

The majority of the route follows NCN 68. It also makes use of several other NCN routes including 6, 54, 62, 70, 7, 72 and 1.

It has a total length of about . The route was opened in stages in 2002–03.

History

The route was devised for Sustrans, a UK, partially government-funded charity that promotes sustainable transport, who were looking for an "exhilarating long distance pubs 'n' scenery challenge ride" to rival the Sea to Sea Cycle Route (C2C). The northern section, designed by Ted Liddle, was launched in a low-profile way in summer 2002, because of the after-effects of the foot-and-mouth outbreak. Cyclists marked the opening of the entire route in July 2003.

Route

The Sustrans organization describe the Pennine Cycleway route in three sections: Peak District, South Pennines and North Pennines. It goes through the National Parks of the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland, while skirting the eastern Lake District. About 20% is on traffic-free cycleway routes, and the remainder is along quiet low traffic roads.

Peak District

The Peak District section is long. It runs from Derby in the English Midlands to Holmfirth in West Yorkshire, passing Ashbourne, Buxton and New Mills, and includes the traffic-free rail trails at Tissington and Longdendale (also part of the Trans Pennine Trail). The initial section to Etwall is part of National Cycle Network Route 54, and around Buxton short sections of the High Peak Trail and Midshires Way are followed.

South Pennines

The South Pennines section is long, with 18 traffic-free. It runs from Holmfirth via Upperthong, Meltham and Slaithwaite, encountering the M62 motorway as it crosses the dam at Scammonden Reservoir. Passing through Barkisland, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge (this part of the route is shared with National Cycle Route 66) to Heptonstall, where the route splits in two. To get to Colne in Lancashire, riders can either head to Burnley and through Towneley Park to join the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, or past Widdop and Coldwell Reservoirs. Rejoining the canal at Foulridge, through Salterforth and Barnoldswick to West Marton in North Yorkshire, where the route crosses the A59, and on to Gargrave. Continuing through Winterburn and Airton (shared with the Way of the Roses) to Settle, and then Stackhouse, Wharfe, Austwick, Clapham, and Ingleton to Dent, Cumbria. After encountering the M6 near Tebay Services, it is on to Orton, Great Asby and Sedbergh, to finish at Appleby in Cumbria. This part of the route includes connections to Kendal and Kirkby Stephen.

North Pennines

The North Pennines section is long, with eight traffic-free. The route runs from Appleby (with a branch from Penrith) to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Scottish border, passing Slaggyford (where it follows the South Tyne Trail), Haltwhistle, Bellingham and Branton. Between Renwick and Leadgate it briefly follows the A686 road which is also part of the Sea to Sea Cycle Route (National Cycle Route 7). The final ride from Norham is shared with National Cycle Route 1.

Media gallery

Image:The tunnel at the start of the Tissington Trail, Ashbourne - geograph.org.uk - 130214.jpg, Ashbourne Tunnel on the Tissington Trail, Derbyshire
Image:Back road from Buxton to Whaley Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 130219.jpg, On a section of the Midshires Way near Buxton, Derbyshire
Image:Longdendale Trail at Woodhead Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 949949.jpg, Longdendale Trail at Woodhead Reservoir on NCN 62
Image:Bridge over the River Calder - geograph.org.uk - 1284647.jpg, New bridge on the River Calder at Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire
Image:Border Separator - geograph.org.uk - 110294.jpg, On the West Yorkshire, Lancashire border half-way between Hebden Bridge and Burnley
Image:Route 68 road sign - geograph.org.uk - 905028.jpg, Signpost at Dufton, Cumbria
Image:Pennine Cycleway signpost - geograph.org.uk - 609156.jpg, Signpost near Slaggyford, Northumberland
Image:Cyclists on the South Tyne Trail near Lambley - geograph.org.uk - 886415.jpg, On the South Tyne Trail near Lambley, Northumberland
Image:Ford over the river Breamish at Brandon - geograph.org.uk - 130467.jpg, Ford over the river Breamish at Brandon, Northumberland
Image:Frost on the Union Chain Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1079303.jpg, The Union Chain Bridge crossing the River Tweed on NCN 1

See also

*The long-distance trails in the Pennines include:
:*Pennine Bridleway
:*Pennine Way
:*Trans Pennine Trail
:*Way of the Roses
*List of National Cycle Network routes
*National Trails

References

External links

* Sustrans website – Pennine Cyclewa
Peak DistrictSouth PenninesNorth Pennines
*

Route leaflet for Lancashire section – Pendle Council

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Cycleways in England
National Cycle Routes
Footpaths in Cumbria
Footpaths in Derbyshire
Footpaths in Lancashire
Footpaths in Northumberland
Footpaths in North Yorkshire
Footpaths in West Yorkshire
Pennines