The Pennine Way - 50th anniversary

Photo: Ant Clausen (BBC)

Paul Rose on the Pennine Way

The 50th anniversary of The Pennine Way, which passes through Littleborough, is on Friday 24 April.

Opened in 1965, the 268 mile path is the oldest and longest National Trail in England. It stretches from the Peak District, through the Yorkshire Dales and ends just inside the Scottish border.

Roy Thorniley, from the Rochdale Ramblers, said: “It is a great asset to walkers and it is hard to believe that it is 50 years old. It is a very well used trail and we use it a lot. It is long though, so we don’t usually get the chance to walk the whole length, but there are some members of the ramblers who have walked the whole length.”

To celebrate the milestone, a new four part documentary series, presented by polar adventurer and ocean diver Paul Rose, will start on Friday 10 April.

Mr Rose said: “I've spent my life leading science expeditions to the most remote and challenging places on earth. I've skied across the Greenland Icecap, made first ascents of Arctic mountains and run an Antarctic Research Station. Yet right here on my doorstep is the Pennine Way - a world class challenge. Exploring the Pennine Way has been surprising, a privilege and huge amounts of fun.”

From the highest pub in England to the Roman excavations at Hadrian’s Wall, the red squirrels of Northumberland to the blustery Helm Wind of Cumbria, Mr Rose discovers the wildlife, geographical features and people that make the Pennine Way so distinctive and challenging.

In the first episode, Mr Rose travels from Edale to Calderdale. He tells the story of Tom Stephenson, the man who fought landowners and governments to win public access to the full length of the route. Stephenson’s friend Sylvia Franks talks about his battle.

Mr Rose also meets author and director Barrie Rutter who recalls some of the literary greats who have lived near the route including Ted Hughes and the Brontës. And Mr Rose visits Heptonstall to ask why the South Pennines have never had the full recognition they deserve.

The Rochdale Ramblers will also be celebrating the anniversary with a weekend of celebrations including three walks and a meal.

The first episode of The Pennine Way will air on BBC One at 7:30pm on Friday 10 April.