Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Pennine Way ranger Colin Chick with one of the certificates, on the approach to Stoodley Pike. Photo: Pennine National Trails Partnership

Walkers who complete Britain’s oldest national trail can now get a certificate to mark their achievement.

Pennine Way bosses said sales of the glossy certificates and other merchandise will help with the upkeep and promotion of the long-distance route.

For the first time, official merchandise will also go on sale for walkers and riders to remember their time on the Pennine Bridleway.

The high-quality certificate features Stoodley Pike, one of the landmarks on the 431km (268-mile) route, near Todmorden in West Yorkshire. A free, simpler design can also be downloaded for printing at home after completing a short survey.

Pennine Way managers said the survey information will help them manage the trail better in future.

Trail officer Heather Procter said: “It doesn’t matter when you walked the trail, or whether you completed it in one go or over a number of attempts. Each certificate is personalised with your name and the date you completed it.”

The Pennine Way is the oldest and one of the toughest of the national trails. It runs from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The total ascent on the Pennine Way when walked from south to north is 40,000ft. The highest point on the Pennine Way is Cross Fell, 893m (2,930ft) above sea level.

The Pennine Bridleway is one of the newest national trails and was designed specifically for mountain bikers and horse riders. It covers 330km (205 miles) from Middleton Top in Derbyshire to Ravenstonedale in Cumbria.

The Pennine Bridleway runs parallel to the Pennine Way, slightly further west for much of its route.

The printed certificate costs £4 and is available, along with other merchandise and the free download, on the National Trails Pennine Way website or the Pennine Bridleway site.