TWO of Northumberland’s iconic trails have been named among Britain’s seven best long-distance hikes by world-famous travel publisher Lonely Planet.

Hiking along Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way are “the perfect way to delve deeper into Britain’s past and see its finest outdoor spaces changing as the miles roll by”, said Lonely Planet’s Joe Minihane.

Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, guardian of the Hadrian’s Wall path, was delighted.

He said: “Whether you choose to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Roman Empire by following Hadrian’s Wall Path or to tackle the 267 miles of the majestic Pennine Way, there’s some of the country’s very finest landscapes around you every step of the way.

“Whatever you’re looking for – whether flora, fauna, countryside activities, history, culture or simply just somewhere to escape from it all – we have it in abundance.”

Every year more than 10,000 people walk the entire 84-mile length of the Hadrian’s Wall trail, while thousands more enjoy walking it in shorter sections.

Meanwhile, the Pennine Way national trail is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – a landmark that the North Pennines Walking Festival is planning to commemorate.

A large part of the Pennine Way is within the North Pennines AONB and nine of the 28 walks on offer will include 95 miles of the legendary route from Tan Hill through Middleton in Teesdale, Alston and the South Tyne Valley to Greenhead.

Chairman of the Friends of the North Pennines, Ian Forbes, said the festival will offer something for everyone, adding: “We are looking forward to a great festival. The walks will allow people to discover this stunning landscape and all it has to offer, but as they are filling up fast, I would encourage people to book soon.”

Now in its third year, the festival runs from Saturday, September 26, until Sunday, October 4, and places can be booked on the website at www.northpennineswalkingfestival.org.uk

The other five trails anointed as Britain’s best are the Ridgeway, which passes through the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Offa’s Dyke Path, which links Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow with the coastal town of Prestatyn in Wales, the John Muir Way in Scotland, the Norfolk Coast Path and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.