About the Trail

The Trans Pennine Trail is a multi-user route across the North of England from Southport to Hornsea, with north - south route from Leeds to Chesterfield, plus a spur to York.

The TPT is mapped and signed all the way.  It is mainly traffic free.  Easy gradients and surfaced paths make sections suitable for families, gentle exercise and people using wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The concept of the TPT first emerged in 1987 when a feasibility study proposed a long distance route predominantly using old railway lines.  In 1988, a meeting of interested parties was called by Barnsley MBC which resulted in a unique partnership of Local Authorities agreeing to work together to develop the route.  The Trans Pennine Trail was formally launched with an inaugural walk and cycle ride in May 1989 between Southport and York.

Sections of the route were gradually developed as funding could be secured.  In 1997, the project secured £5.3m from the Millennium Commission to complete the route, which was officially opened on 13 September 2001. 

The Trans Pennine Trail is a key part of the National Cycle Network in the north of England - this is a network of 10,000 miles of walking and cycle routes across the country developed by Sustrans.

In July 1996 the Trans Pennine Trail was designated as the British section of the E8 European Long Distance Walking route.  Click here to find out more about the E8 and other European routes.

For more details about the Trail, see our factsheet or look up how far it is between points on the Trail on our distance chart. Also see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the Trail. 

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