The Yorkshire Three Peaks Part 2: Whernside and Ingleborough

The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a well-known challenge walk. The official challenge is to walk the 24-mile route in twelve hours, no mean feat when you consider the length, the terrain and the 1,600 metres of ascent as you cross Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside (Yorkshire's highest summit) and Ingleborough.

However, we have split the whole walk into two parts (first half Walk 4228), using the Settle - Carlisle railway line which bisects the circular route, crossing it at Ribblehead and Horton-in-Ribblesdale. You can do Walk 4228 and return via rail; head out via rail the next time to return on this walk.

This walk starts at Ribblehead Station. We pass the famous Ribblehead Viaduct; plenty of information signs here detailing its construction. After a warm-up on the relatively flat path alongside the railway, the climb starts up the northern shoulder of Whernside. At 736m, this is the highest hill (can we call it a mountain?) in Yorkshire. Fortunately it doesn't get too steep - in fact, I found this the easiest peak of the three. Have a rest at the top and take in the views. Weather permitting, you will be able to spot Ingleborough and Pen-Y-Ghent to the south and south-east respectively.

We drop steeply off and cross pasture to meet the Ingleton road at the Old Hill Inn, near Chapel le Dale. This is a good spot for lunch or refreshment before the climb up to our final peak - Ingleborough. In my opinion this is the hardest climb of the three, despite it not being the highest. The last part of the ascent is very steep, with some scrambling involved.

The return from the summit of Ingleborough is through an area known on the map as Sulber. There's little here other than limestone, but the navigation is easy and the walking becomes less and less taxing as we descend gently to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. If you did the whole challenge, don't forget to check back in at the Pen-Y-Ghent Café.

Dog-walkers, please note the presence of sheep, rocky scrambles and some dog-unfriendly stiles.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Yorkshire Dales

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10/19/2015 - Jude Paterson

Completed the full Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge (this walk plus its partner 4228) this weekend. The route has improved since this was written. The section beyond waymark 12 towards the steep climb now has a very clear and good path (duck boards over bog, and flagstones). Many of our group completed the walk wearing trail shoes rather boots as the full path is now off the bogs.

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Walk id: 4229

Walk grade

Mountain Challenge

Length

13.2 Miles

Height gain

952 Metres

Duration

6 Hours 53 Mins

Average rating

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