Day 56: Pennine Way - Dufton to Alston

Day 11 on the Pennine Way, reaching the highest point of the trail and the whole walk. Today basically just consisted of that climb and nothing else, but it was a big one. 

• Date: 15 May 2024
• Start: Dufton
• End: Alston
• Miles: 19.7
• Total miles: 747.2
• Accommodation: Alston Youth Hostel

The start of the day consisted of a 700 metre climb up to Cross Fell, the largest mountain in England outside of the Lake District. 

All of the people I saw yesterday and stayed in the same campsite with last night all climbed this peak today. 

The whole day consisted of this climb, given how big it was. It was a shame it was mostly cloudy, but I did get glimpses of a view at times, including of some cows and a bull. 

I was pretty hungry by this point, so stopped for lunch just down from the peak at a hut which you can sleep in. I’d take my tent over this any day. It was colder inside than outside. 

It was then time for the longest descent in the world. On a gravel track, it was very hard on the feet and I was glad when I reached the village of Garrigill. 

It was then another 4 miles along a river until I reached my end point of Alston. 

I’m in a hostel tonight, which means the use of a fully functioning kitchen. I fancied a pizza all day, so I headed to the Co Op to get one. I also had an offer on my membership card for pizza, so it was definitely happening. 

I spent the remainder of the evening in the hostel, which 3 of us from last night were staying at. I cooked my pizza and chilled out in the common area.