The festival features walks between the Tan Hill Inn and Kirkby Stephen
A walking festival kicks off this weekend in the northern reaches of the Pennines, with a Wainwright theme linked to his first ever long-distance walk.
The North Pennines Walking Festival features a PJ-in-a-Day event to mark the 75th anniversary of star of the guidebook author’s trip up and down the chain.
Alfred Wainwright set out from Settle in the Yorkshire Dales on 25 September 1938 on the trip that would become his first work, A Pennine Journey.
The book, which lay unpublished for many years, paints a picture of rural communities preparing for war as the dark clouds of the looming conflict cast a shadow on the country.
The work also provides an insight into Wainwright’s psyche as he makes his way to Hadrian’s Wall and back, lodging in various towns and villages on the way.
Saturday’s festival start includes walks from sections of A Pennine Journey, from Tan Hill to Kirkby Stephen.
David Pitt, chairman of the Pennine Journey Supporters Club, said: “One part of the celebration which I expect to have confirmed is that the whole of the 247-mile [398km] route has been waymarked.
“Then I shall be contacting the Ordnance Survey who some time ago said that they would feature the route on Landranger and Explorer OS maps when re-printed.
The bench has ben installed where three routes meet, near Keld
“A bench seat to celebrate the 75th anniversary, the 45th anniversary of the publication of AW’s Pennine Way Companion and the 40th anniversary of his Coast to Coast Walk has been installed at East Gill Force, the junction of the three routes.
“An inscribed pavement slab is being installed in front of the cloisters at St Stephen’s Church, Kirkby Stephen also by the Pennine Journey Supporters Club in conjunction with Kirkby Stephen Walkers are Welcome Group to commemorate the 75th and 40th anniversaries of the Pennine Journey and Coast to Coast Walk.”
Mr Pitt said the point marks the start of the newly published Howgills and Limestone Trail, a 122km (76-mile) route from Kirkby Stephen to Settle. Details are on the Pennine Journey website.
Details of the North Pennines Walking Festival are on the North Pennines website.
