The Pennine Way is a trail I’ve returned to again and again — in good weather and bad, and at all hours of the day. I’ve caught some glorious sunsets on camera, often followed by a twilight dash back to the car before darkness. These are the moments where the Pennine Way’s landscapes — moorland, reservoirs, ridges, border country — catch the last light of the day. Some were taken directly on the trail, others on my Pennine Way circular walks, but every photo shows the Pennine Way itself or the landscapes it crosses.
10. Pen‑y‑ghent at Sunset
I’ve climbed Pen‑y‑ghent twice since my first experience on the Pennine Way, when the wind did its best to blow me off the southern ascent. This photo was taken on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Circular, a walk I’ve completed twice. On this occasion I was with my brother, and Pen‑y‑ghent was the final peak of the day. I love the way the paraglider drifted into the sunset just as I took the shot.
If you want to explore Pen‑y‑ghent on a shorter day walk, my 6‑mile Pen‑y‑ghent circular covers the summit with far less mileage than the Three Peaks route.
9. Laddow Rocks and the Sinuous Valley Below
Taken from Laddow Rocks, one of my favourite parts of the Pennine Way and an area I’ve returned to at least ten times — including various versions of a Crowden circular — this photo captures calm, clear skies gently illuminated above the sinuous valley and Crowden Great Brook. It’s a peaceful scene from a place that always feels wild.
Laddow Rocks also features in my Hardest Parts of the Pennine Way (Ranked). It’s also one of my Top 10 Highlights of the Pennine Way.
8. Evening Light Above Byrness
This was taken on my Pennine Way thru‑hike after the big climb from Byrness — normally the start of Day 15 (Byrness to Windy Gyle). My friend and I knew we needed to push further on Day 14 from Bellingham, merging Days 15 and 16 into one monstrous finish. The more miles we completed past Byrness that evening, the fewer we’d face on the final day. This sunset lifted our spirits and was the highlight of the day before our wild camp just over the Scottish border. It’s not the best photo I’ve ever taken, but I love the way the sun reflects off Catcleugh Reservoir in the distance.
This moment appears in my Hadrian’s Wall → Kirk Yetholm trip report, where I climbed out of Byrness on my thru‑hike and caught this sunset on the long push towards the border.
7. Wessenden Reservoir in the Last Light
Another part of the trail I return to at least once a year. Wessenden Reservoir marked the final few miles of Day 2 on my thru‑hike. We chose not to continue to the official end point at Standedge, instead leaving the Pennine Way just after the reservoir and following the Kirklees Way to Marsden, where we caught a train to Huddersfield for some cheap accommodation. It’s such a calm, beautiful descent — the perfect way to end Day 2 after Laddow Rocks and the climb to Black Hill. There’s something about water and sunsets that just works here.
6. Kinder to Mill Hill — Sunset Over Manchester
Taken somewhere between Kinder Downfall and Mill Hill, another area I now walk at least once a year. Looking west, I caught the moment the sun pierced the clouds and illuminated Manchester in the distance. The sheep in the foreground were an unexpected bonus.
5. Jacob’s Ladder and the Vale of Edale
Jacob’s Ladder is another of my favourite sections of the Pennine Way. I remember being struck by the beauty of the Vale of Edale on Day 1 of my thru‑hike, and it’s an area I’ve returned to many times for circular walks off the trail, including the Edale to Kinder Downfall loop. This isn’t the most traditional “sunset photo” because you see more of the cloud than the sun itself, but that’s exactly why I like it. The evening light has turned the clouds a dramatic mix of colours, and the clear view down the valley gives the whole scene a brooding, atmospheric feel.
If you want to explore this area on a full day walk, my Edale to Kinder Downfall loop covers Jacob’s Ladder, Kinder Low and Kinder Downfall in a dramatic 8‑mile circuit.
4. Black Moss Reservoir in Winter Light
Another Peak District sunset — this time at Black Moss Reservoir. It was a circular walk from Wessenden Head, a route that passes six reservoirs. This photo was taken on a freezing winter’s day, and the wind chill as we passed Black Moss was noticeably sharper than on the surrounding moor. The sunset was gorgeous though, and I love the ripples across the reservoir — proof the windy conditions weren’t just in my head.
3. Black Hill — A Moorland Glow
I wasn’t overly impressed with Black Hill on my first visit. Limping out of Crowden on Day 2, already worn down, probably didn’t help. It’s a barren moorland landscape, and the paving stones make for easy navigation. Yet it’s another summit I’ve returned to at least seven times, and I’ve twice seen superb sunsets here. This photo was taken an hour before darkness in the shorter winter months. The boggy walk back by torchlight was worth it for this view, looking southwest towards Laddow Rocks in the top left.
2. Crowden and Torside Reservoir in Autumn Light
I had a tough time choosing between my top two Pennine Way sunset photos. In the end, this one — looking southwest towards Crowden (in the valley centre) and Torside Reservoir (just hidden to the left) — takes second place. I love the colour of the grass lit by the low autumn sun on this circular from Crowden to Black Hill. The vivid sunset and scattered cloud add to the effect. A worthy scene, but just beaten to the top spot.
This scene is from my Crowden to Black Hill circular, one of my favourite Peak District loops.
1. The Cheviots at Sunset — A Perfect Ending
The Scottish Borders and the underrated Cheviots offer a superb end to the Pennine Way — if the weather lets you see them. My final day was a 12‑hour slog through rain, bogs and low cloud. I was delighted to return later and enjoy some of the final miles above Kirk Yetholm, approaching from the English side via St Cuthbert’s Way. As I reached the ridge, I was greeted by this superb sunset over Scotland. The Pennine Way is visible in the photo — the line across the hill above and to the left of the trail sign. It was so good I set up camp there and then, watching the colours shift for an hour before darkness.
This sunset moment is part of my Cheviot Weekender loop, where I returned to re‑walk the final miles above Kirk Yetholm in far better weather.
Planning Your Own Pennine Way Journey
If these sunset moments have inspired you, you’ll find all my Pennine Way guides gathered here.