The Pennine Cycleway goes from Derby all the way to Berwick upon Tweed along the spine of England, from the edges of the industrial Midlands to the inspiring Northumberland coast, where the Tweed sweeps majestically into the North Sea at the finishing line. Traditionally Britain's best known and most trod path, the more recent cycle route wends its way through the hilly splendours of the Peak District before an taking a westerly trajectory through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, passing through Hebden Bridge, Colne, Gargrave - areas once synonymous with mining - Settle and Sedbergh before climbing up hill and down dale into Appleby-in-Westmorland.

The Pennine Cycleway starts at Derby Railway Station, soon joining the Etwall - Mickelover Railway Path (NCN route no. 54 to Burton-on-Trent) for around six miles before heading north on quiet country lanes to the picturesque Peak District market town of Ashbourne. From Ashbourne you join the Tissington Trail via a long tunnel before cycling the 16 miles of a traffic free section which is very popular with walkers and cyclists. You use a section of the High Peak trail for a couple of miles before cycling from Sparklow on a marvelously quiet minor road for four miles before descending into busy town of Buxton which is a perfect place to replenish your diminishing energy levels!

The picturesque and historic market town of Appleby is the main starting point for the most popular bit - the northern section, though there is an alternative start at Penrith. From Appleby the route meanders along quiet country lanes through the glorious scenery of the Eden Valley with the lowering mass of the Pennines on your right, a constant reminder of the nearing long ascent of Hartside where fantastic views await you - on a clear day! Once Hartside is over you are rewarded with a long downhill freewheel to Leadgate and then on to Alston, England's highest market town. From here the route follows the River South Tyne - on road but with a couple of stretches of converted railway line as well - into Haltwhistle and then begins the ascent to Hadrian's Wall country and a long isolated section of 20 miles or so through Wark Forest before descending into Bellingham. From here the route travels to Elsdon and the Northumberland National park cycling on quiet, country roads to Alwinton and the base of the Cheviot Hills. The route out of Alwinton uses a short section of rough track (there is an on-road alternative to follow) before joining the roads again to Alnham, Whittingham and Glanton and the National park Centre at Ingram. A short stretch of rough track awaits you a few miles out of Ingram and then a couple of miles of on-road riding brings you to Wooler. Heading out of Wooler on a short stretch of main road - take care this section can be busy - you travel through scenic, agricultural landscapes passing some reminders of the turbulent history of this border area in the forms of fortified houses or castles such as those found at Ford, Etal and Norham. From Norham, you use the Coast and Castles cycle route (NCN 1) for the final few miles of your trip including a brief foray into Scotland over the River Tweed before ending your journey at Berwick-upon-Tweed - an ideal place to rest a while and celebrate your achievement and maybe even rest those weary legs.