The first guidebook in a long association with Cicerone Press. While writing a series of walking route descriptions for Country Walking magazine, it became apparent that there was no comprehensive walking guidebook covering the whole of the newly-established North Pennines AONB.

A selection of articles covering a variety of walking routes around the North Pennines were sent to Cicerone with a proposal for a guidebook. After a brief discussion a contract was issued and the research began in earnest. The North Pennines are wild and remote, more so than any other part of England, and the high moorlands are wide-open to whatever the weather hurls at them. The first edition of the guidebook was researched in a series of visits spanning all four seasons.

For the second edition, the entire guidebook was completely overhauled. All the walking routes were checked again during a single long summertime trip, being completely re-written. New routes were added, bringing the total to 50. The new edition is in full colour, complete with all the routes highlighted on OS Landranger mapping.