A new 560 mile (901km) challenge - from Chatsworth House to the summit of Ben Nevis.

Heading north from Derbyshire, through the foothills and ridges of the Pennines, crossing the Yorkshire Dales, over the Cheviots, across the Pentland Hills and into Edinburgh to climb Arthur’s Seat. A couple of days in the magnificent Georgian city perhaps, and then along the John Muir footpath, and to the start of the final test, The West Highland Way and on to the summit of Ben Nevis. What a finish lies ahead.

Hike through 4 National Parks, and 3 UNESCO sites. Look eastwards to the North Sea in Northumberland and West from Loch Lomond towards the Atlantic Ocean. And then a welcome pint in my favourite hikers bar at the foot of Ben Nevis. You can walk it in one 35-40 day blast. Or walk it in 6 separate sections. One section each year perhaps. Spend a decade, or simply add it to your bucket list - knowing it is there. There is no time limit. My starting point was to link together two long distance footpaths (The Pennine Way and The West Highland Way) which I had already completed. And design a bigger and much longer route. In effect a 'Cross Border' walk which I could share. In my own style and inspire walkers to go that extra mile. To think Big. And challenge yourself. The Northern Trek.

If you want to hike in stunning countryside - this may be the walk for you?

290 miles (467km) in England. 270 miles (434km) in Scotland.

That marvellous feeling of anticipation when you set off on your first climb in Derbyshire. 

Already thinking ahead perhaps, to the remote hilltops of the Northern Pennines and to the great summit, to climb the old volcano, Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, north of Fort William at 4,406ft. (1343m).

The total distance 560 miles (901km). 

The total climb 83,445 ft (25,434m).

Now that’s what I call a walk!

The sun on your back, the wonderful days which lie ahead, the new friends you will make on ‘The Northern Trek’ and the stories you can bring back and share with family and friends.

Walk or Run, Camp or Backpack, Youth Hostel, Bed & Breakfast, or stay in Pubs and Hotels

The choice is yours. The Northern Trek really does have facilities and accommodation all the way. 

Transport and Parking is also very good. There are good rail links to sections in Edale, Gargrave, Edinburgh, Milngavie and Fort William. 

When is the best time? 

Walk it in all seasons - there is no best time in my view.

I walked the bigger sections (The Pennine Way and West Highland Way) during the spring and/early Autumn. 

If you decide to walk the Northern Trek in 6 to 7weeks, I would probably hike during the months March to October. 

There is an alternative of course. Mix up the six sections - and walk them when you please.

Then, there is no reason why you cannot walk in all the seasons. Maybe one section in the Spring, and one in Winter and so on, until the whole walk is complete.

The variety of weather and conditions will make for a different experience at different times of the year.

Variety. And this walk has it all.

Weather

I am sure most walkers will have a look at the general weather in the UK, and there are plenty of websites available for this. Of course it’s generally best in Spring and Summer.

It is inevitable though, that you will walk in all conditions.

Daylight hours are much longer in the spring and summer months. 

Almost 17 hours of daylight on the longest day in June. Only 7 hours 49 minutes on the shortest day in December.

It gets colder the further north you travel. 

My simple benchmark. If it's 10 degrees in Derbyshire. Then it’s 8 degrees on Hadrians Wall. 6 degrees in Fort William. 4 degrees on top of  Ben Nevis. The incoming ‘weather’ on The Northern Trek will generally come from the West - from over The Atlantic.

Study the BBC weather report www.bbc.co.uk/weather

As Wainwright once said though, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing’.