I backpacked the route solo, in two halves, starting from Haltwhistle on both occasions.

I chose Haltwhistle because the train tickets there were amazingly cheap (£14 from Leeds).

The walk lasted 16 days. I stopped in Youth Hostels (x4); camped (x8); hotel (x1) and Greg’s bothy.

The walking varied from lengthy, strenuous, trackless moorland through to easier tracks.

Got lashed with a full spectrum of British weather; 32 lbs of tried and tested gear stood up well.

Was very conscious of food supplies on some of the remoter sections, one Blanchland breakfast being most welcome.

Geocached en route, but managed not to download the Cross Fell ones (have been back since) .

GPS was the main navigation tool, backed up by the blue guide.

GPS was a Godsend on the pathless stretches.

Found the route duplicated other LDP’s, then there was the bit up from Garsdale Head to the Howgills !!

Wouldn’t recommend a solo attack, unless you are very competent/confident.

A hard walk, similar to the Pennine Way, without the beauty of the Pembrokeshire C.P.