Alfred Wainwright, the Lakeland guidebook writer, said at the end of his Coast-to-Coast book that individuals should look at devising their own long-distance walks. And that is exactly what Steve Garrill has done with his book The North West Way.

To get between the starting point of Preston and the finish in Carlisle would be a mere 87 miles heading north on the M6. However, this walking route is more than twice that distance,194 miles in fact. It is a much more circuitous route making use of several major long-distance trails – The Ribble Way, The Pennine Way, The Teesdale Way, the South Tyne Trail, and Hadrian’s Wall National Trail. And as such, the route takes the walker through some of the finest scenery the North of England has to offer. Malham Cove, Penyghent, Great Shunner Fell, Tan Hill, High Force, High Cup Nick and Hadrian’s Wall are just a few of the highlights visited on this walk.

At the beginning of each of the thirteen chapters, Steve has included details of distance, ascent, descent, and where food and drink are available en route. Each section is accompanied by a copy of the Ordnance Survey map covering that days’ walking. Steve has collaborated with professional photographer Mark McNeil whose stunning colour photos, numbering over 90, cover views and places encountered throughout the route. Exceptionally good are some of the drone shots of landscapes. All of the North West Way route has been rewalked by three different individuals who have checked and verified the very detailed route that Steve has written.

Steve, a former history teacher at St Bede’s High School in Lytham St Anne’s is a Duke of Edinburgh expedition leader and assessor and has completed many long-distance walks in England and Scotland. Much of the book contains links to the history of the area being walked through and Steve’s particular interest in Roman History is clearly brought to the fore in the latter part of the book whilst following the Hadrian’s Wall section from Great Chesters Fort to Carlisle.

With each day’s walking starting and finishing at suitable places of habitation with transport links the walk can either be done in thirteen separate sections or as a continuous walk over a two-week period. Total distance is 194 miles with 17,500 feet of climbing. Daily average is 15 miles and 1,350 feet of ascent. And at the end of the walk the train can then take the strain with the service back from Carlisle to Preston.

Why not give it a go!

ISBN: 9781399948944 – Price £17.95. Website: www.northwestway.uk where all details of accommodation, any updates to the route and transport can be found.