Two Centre Trek

Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland

The Two Centre Trek was devised by LDWA member David Law and links two points that are reputed to be the 'centre of Britain'. According to calculations by Ordnance Survey the centre of Britain is a location 7 km north west of Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire, by Whitendale Hanging Stones on Brennand Farm in the Forest of Bowland. Alternatively, the town of Haltwhistle in Northumberland has a claim to be the centre of Britain as it lies at the mid-point along the mainland's longest line of longitude.

The route uses a mixture of well-known long distance paths such as the Pennine Way, Dales Way and Hadrian's Wall Path as well as paths across access land that are not marked on OS maps but are clear on the ground.

From the start at Dunsop Bridge the route crosses the Forest of Bowland fells, visits Wray, follows the river Lune to Kirkby Lonsdale, and across fells to Dent where the Dales Way is followed to Sedbergh. A traverse of the Howgills leads on to Orton, Appleby-in-Westmorland and Dufton. The highest point on the route is reached on Cross Fell at nearly 3,000 feet. From Alston the South Tyne Trail, a former railway line, and the Pennine Way are followed to Greenhead where Hadrian's Wall Path is soon joined for the final section to Haltwhistle.

UPDATE: October 2025
DIVERSION - Dryburn Bridge, between Alston and Garrigill, is currently closed due to flood damage. The alternative route will add very little time or distance to your route. Details of diversion route at: https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/short-routes/dryburn-bridge-closed-follow-diversion/

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Details:

Path Type:	Other Paths
Attributes:	Challenging National Landscape Moorland River
Start:	SD661501 - Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire
Finish:	NY710642 - Haltwhistle, Northumberland
Open Date:	2019

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Route Description - PDF

Two Centre Trek  (David Law  - 2019 )

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