The most accessible, mainly off-road, coast-to-coast multi-user route across the spine of Northern England.

What is the Trans Pennine Trail?

The TPT is a national recreation route for walking, cycling and equestrian use. It was officially opened in September 2001 after over a decade of development via a unique a partnership of 26 local authorities and United Utilities, and over £30 million expenditure.

It is a signed route for Walkers, Cyclists and Equestrian users connecting towns, cities, villages and countryside across the North of England coast to coast between Liverpool and Hull with Spurs to Southport and Hornsea.

The Trail is largely purpose built - using surfaced, level paths along canals, riversides, disused railways lines, minor roads, urban cycle paths – making it mainly traffic free.  Most of the Trail is relatively flat so it provides easy walking, running, and cycling, and is very accessible, attractive for novice cyclists, the elderly, people with disabilities, and families.

Who is it for? 

Everybody who wants to walk or ride a bicycle, with many miles also available to horse riders. Easy gradients and surfaced paths along canals and disused railways make much of the route suitable for people using wheelchairs or pushchairs and lots of the trail is traffic free, providing a super facility for families!

What do users have to say?

We did not know that there was so much so walking close to home.  We do not even have to take the car off the drive for some of them, and it’s only 10 minutes drive for the others.  The amount of people we see walking and cycling is evidence of your success!  Mrs Anderson, Mexborough

Thanks for the wonderful experience, an excellent way to spend a few days and I have many good memories... I would recommend it to every cyclist I know and am looking forward to repeating the experience. Ken Brownless (July 2002)

I must say how much I’ve enjoyed the Trail.  Being traffic-free is a delight!  It’s also good to see family groups able to cycle safely, and in some sections wheelchair users can get along quite well. John Llewellyn, Didsbury (23 April 2002)

The most stress free and relaxing holiday we have had... We are looking around for a trip for this year but your trail will be very hard to beat, once again a very big thank you for a wonderful time!  Richard Bednaarz (4 February 2003, e-mail)

My journey exceeded expectations and I saw places even close to home that I never knew existed...  it made a great change to get away from the hustle and bustle and most importantly steep hills.  I am totally hooked and will definitely attempt the whole trail.  Rob Butler, Wakefield (14 April, e-mail)