Trans Pennine Trail fact sheet

An exciting, innovative, national recreational route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, with good access and availability in many areas for wheelchair users.

• The coast-to-coast route from Southport to Hornsea is approximately 207 miles long. With the addition of the north / south route from Leeds to Chesterfield and a link up to York, the whole route is over 350 miles.
• In September 2006, in a public vote the Trans Pennine Trail the won the Amazing Space category in the National Lottery Awards 2006.
• Devised in 1989, the Trail officially opened in September 2001 following expenditure of £30m to ensure provision of a high quality route and regeneration of some previously derelict areas. Completion of the Trail was secured by funding from the Millennium Commission.
• An imaginative initiative developed through the co-operation of 26 local authorities in the North of England.
• According to counters installed on the route, 700,000 visits are made to the Trail each year.
• Stretching from Southport to Hornsea and from Leeds to Chesterfield, the Trail passes through a wide range of urban and rural environments including national parks, industrial heritage areas, coastlines and city centres.
• Developed using existing resources wherever feasible, the Trail uses canal towpaths, disused railway lines, riverside pathways, urban cycle paths and minor roads for the majority of its course.
• With the exception of some Pennine areas the Trail is relatively flat so provides easy progress for families, the elderly and people with physical difficulties.
• Beautiful countryside, villages, castles, abbeys, minsters, historic bridges, canals, wooded valleys and rugged hills abound along the route.
• An ideal route for taking gentle exercise as part of an active lifestyle.

• The TPT is part of the National Cycle Network, so the Trail helps improve air quality and reduce congestion by encouraging people to adopt green transport in their daily routines.
• A free, safe and pleasant place to exercise alone or as part of a group with local council Ranger services available at many points.
• A voluntary group, the “Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail” helps promote the route and lobby in the interest of the Trail. Membership costs just £6 / annum and is open to everyone.
• Within 20 miles of a quarter of the UK population, yet a high proportion of the route passes through spectacular, peaceful, unspoiled countryside away from all congestion and with an abundance of flora and fauna to see and enjoy.
• A perfect place to reconnect with the environment in a green corridor providing a haven for wildlife, within easy reach of all facilities provided by numerous vibrant cities and yet accessible by public transport or the motorway network.
• Becoming ever more popular with visitors from abroad, the walkers route from Liverpool to Hull is the British leg of the E8 European Long Distance Walking Route.
• Well signed throughout its length and supported by an extensive range of purpose designed maps and booklets, using the TPT has never been easier.