Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts…
Climbing Pen-y-ghent
6.5 miles (10.4kms)
About the walk
One of the famous ‘Three Peaks’ of the Dales (the others, Ingleborough and Whernside, are visible from the walk), Pen-y-ghent’s distinctive profile dominates the landscape. Its name, which is Celtic, means either ‘the hill on the plain’ or ‘the windy hill’. Both are appropriate. The ridges that stripe its sides are the result of different rock strata – millstone grit on top, softer shales beneath and, halfway up, a band of limestone.
Limestone dominates most of the walk. The characteristic drystone walls line the track at the start of the walk and form the boundaries to the fields in the second half. The landscape is susceptible to dissolving by water, forming ‘pots’ – large holes into underground cave systems. From Point 2 on the walk you could detour about 300yds (274m) north to see one of them, the huge hole of Hull Pot. In wet weather a stream tumbles down its limestone crags into the pot’s depths. Take care great as you approach the hole. It is also easily seen from the upper slopes of Pen-y-ghent.
This first part of the walk (up to Point 4) follows the Pennine Way. From the summit of Pen-y-ghent, and as you descend, you will notice the limestone quarries around Horton in Ribblesdale – and maybe hear the sound of blasting. You may consider them an intrusion into a National Park, but although National Park policies are weighted against quarry development, many workings often precede the designation of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in 1954.
The final part of the route follows the Ribble Way, which runs beside the river for 70 miles (113km) from the Dales to the sea. For part of its length, north of Horton in Ribblesdale, it follows the same route as the Dales Way, another long distance footpath that goes the 80 miles (129km) from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria.
Walk directions
From the car park turn right along the road, about 100yds (91m) beyond, turn left onto a track, following the Pennine Way sign. Go through a gate to a junction of paths and fork left. Follow the walled track through two gates for about a mile (1.6km) to its end.
At the gate at the end of the walled track turn right, following the Pen-y-ghent sign to another gate and stiles. Follow an obvious path across level moorland. After another gate the path climbs again. At a signpost and cairn below limestone crags the path swings right to slant up the slope. Continue in the same direction on the easier upper slopes until the path swings left, more steeply, to the summit at 2,277ft (694m).
Cross the summit wall and turn right along the stony path, which soon descends very steeply, moving away from the wall at the steepest parts, which need care as you go down, with some easy rock scrambling. After the descent you will reach a gate through a wall on your right.
Go through the gate, following a sign to Brackenbottom. Descend steadily, with a continuous wall just to your right, crossing several intermediate walls via gates and stiles, and passing over rocky outcrops, to reach a farm.
Just before the farm buildings, bear right through a gate and out through another gate to a road. Turn left and follow the road, bearing slightly right as another road joins from the left. Take the next turn right and descend to the main road (B6479). Cross and walk down the track opposite. Just before farm buildings turn right on a short track. Cross stepping stones and keep straight on until the wall on the left ends.
Go left over a cattle grid and down a track. Where the track bends left, keep straight ahead beside the stream to reach a gated footbridge. Cross the bridge, then bear right across the field, keeping right of an isolated tree, to go through a gate to reach a larger footbridge across the River Ribble.
Cross the bridge and turn right along the river bank. The path follows the river pretty closely, with a slight deviation to cross a stream by a footbridge. Return to the river bank and keep following it; it eventually bends right below houses. Cross the field and climb steps to a footbridge; cross the bridge to the right and return to the car park.
Additional information
Easy-to-follow paths and tracks on Pen-y-ghent, steep rocky descent from summit, farmland paths, 8 stiles
One of the Dales' most famous mountains, with spectacular views
Dogs should be on lead on farmland
OS Explorer OL2 Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western Areas
Car park at north end of Horton in Ribblesdale
At car park
WALKING IN SAFETY
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Find out more
Also in the area
About the area
Discover North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire, with its two National Parks and two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is England’s largest county and one of the most rural. This is prime walking country, from the heather-clad heights of the North York Moors to the limestone country that is so typical of the Yorkshire Dales – a place of contrasts and discoveries, of history and legend.
The coastline offers its own treasures, from the fishing villages of Staithes and Robin Hood Bay to Scarborough, one time Regency spa and Victorian bathing resort. In the 1890s, the quaint but bustling town of Whitby provided inspiration for Bram Stoker, who set much of his novel, Dracula, in the town. Wizarding enthusiasts head to the village of Goathland, which is the setting for the Hogwarts Express stop at Hogsmeade station in the Harry Potter films.
York is a city of immense historical significance. It was capital of the British province under the Romans in AD 71, a Viking settlement in the 10th century, and in the Middle Ages its prosperity depended on the wool trade. Its city walls date from the 14th century and are among the finest in Europe. However, the gothic Minster, built between 1220 and 1470, is York’s crowning glory.
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