Stage 18 of the Pennine Way covers 20.1 km from Byrness to Windy Gyle, with 728 m of ascent and 366 m of descent. The highest point is 614 m. Allow about 7 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Two-night package: Forest View picks you up at 17:00 at a roadhead about 4 km south of Windy Gyle (no phone signal there) and drives you back at 09:45 next morning. Runs April to October; there are no beds on the ridge.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed, not confirmed" appear on a public listing (OpenStreetMap, the National Trail, Sherpa Van or Pitchup) but could not be confirmed as open on their own website. Tan Hill, Langdon Beck and Byrness have only one or two places, Crowden and Standedge have beds only off the trail (Glossop, Marsden, Delph), and many small places close in winter: book ahead, especially from May to September.
Emergency: call 999 or 112 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Non-urgent medical help: 111. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.