It is arguably the most challenging National Trail in England: the combined ascent over the 268 mile length of the Trail is higher than Mount Everest, it passes through some of the remotest areas of the country and the weather is notoriously changeable. Jo McAllister, the Pennine National Trails Partnership Manager, said: “We’d like to send huge congratulations to Karl and his wife Krysia, who accompanied him on parts of the trail, on their completion of the Pennine Way. Traditionally, the walk starts at Edale in the Peak District and finishes at Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders Karl, however, chose to buck tradition and do it ‘North to South.’ Overall, he clocked an impressive 704,584 steps and scaled a 30,770 foot ascension. It is definitely not for the casual weekend walker! The efforts for a cure for Parkinson’s continue and I want to put my own efforts to good use by raising money for Parkinson’s UK’s research.” As late middle-age and Parkinson’s make their presence felt, I wanted to attempt this iconic trail through the UK’s majestic Northern uplands, whilst still able to do so. “After a childhood conversation with my late father, it has been a long held ambition to walk the Pennine Way. Since then, gradually things are getting tougher but I still continue to enjoy life to the fullest and will do so for as long as possible.

Speaking about what motivated him to tackle the first National Trail he said: “I was diagnosed four and a half years ago but, with my medical background, I already had my suspicions. He averaged over 13 miles per day, including getting lost on the more remote and less well signposted parts of the trail. Many people take years to complete the Pennine Way in several shorter sections. This year, after a delay caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns, he went for “the big one” – the Pennine Way. He decided to embrace walking as a way to keep active and manage his symptoms, whilst rediscovering the beauty of the English countryside and raising funds for Parkinson’s UK. In 2016, he was forced to retire following his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Yorkshire-born Karl Mckillop, 59, who now lives in Bromley, Kent, was a partner at the Park View Vet Group in Welling, for 25 years. These can be seen on our interactive map: Hadrian’s Wall through to Horneystead, and Please take extra care and avoid walking under any leaning trees or hanging branches.” Wherever you are, be aware that there may be weakened and damaged trees making them unsafe. “Our teams are working hard to reopen trails and facilities as soon as it is safe to do so, in some areas this may take some time. This is a statement from Forestry England:

The scale of the damage is only just becoming clear, as Forestry England and their partners carry out further investigatory work. Alongside the fallen trees, there are many other trees which have been weakened by the storms, and these could fall at any time. The sheer number of fallen trees has made these sections totally impassable. Two particular sections of the Pennine Way, which pass through forests owned and managed by Forestry England, are currently closed to the public. Storm Arwen has caused devastation to a large number of coniferous forests in the north of England. As any alternative route avoiding the forest relies on using a busy main road, getting a taxi from Byrness to Chew Green may be a more suitable option. If you are planning to walk the Pennine Way before Easter, you will need to find an alternative route north from Byrness to Chew Green. If the diversion route changes this will be updated on our interactive map. Please allow a little extra time to cover the additional distance created by the diversion between Hadrian’s Wall and Bellingham. If you are planning to walk the Pennine Way from Easter onwards this year, there is a good likelihood that your trip will be able to go ahead with very little alteration. The section from Hadrian’s Wall to Bellingham may take a little longer, but a diversion is available, see here: There is currently no diversion in place for this section. Work has started on the section north from Byrness and we hope this will be open by Easter at the latest. We anticipate that the section from Blakehopeburnhaugh to Byrness will be open in 2-4 weeks time (by end of Feb). The section from Bellingham to Blakehopeburnhaugh picnic site is now open. The forests, and therefore the trail, have been closed to allow essential work to take place. Storm Arwen caused devastation to the forests in Northumberland through which the Pennine Way passes.

Routebuddy review