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Home> Walks> England> North Yorkshire> Climbing Pen-y-ghent

Climbing Pen-y-ghent

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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).
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Easy-to-follow paths and tracks on Pen-y-ghent, steep rocky descent from summit, farmland paths, 8 stiles
  Landscape  - One of the Dales' most famous mountains, with spectacular views
  Dog friendliness  - Dogs should be on lead on farmland
  Parking  - Car park at north end of Horton in Ribblesdale
  Toilets en route  - At car park
Walks in North Yorkshire Dog-friendly walks in North Yorkshire
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...
Read more
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About the area
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.
Explore North Yorkshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Self-Catering
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
★★★
award
"Picturesque 17th-century cottage in the Yorkshire Dales..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Self-Catering
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
★★★
award
"Picturesque 17th-century cottage in the Yorkshire Dales..."
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Self-Catering
The Byres, Selside Farm
★★★★
awardaward
"Spotless property in superb rural location perfect for walkers and close to Horton in Ribblesdale..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Nearby places to stay
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
The Byres, Selside Farm
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
The Byres
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
Knight Stainforth Hall Caravan & Campsite
Knight Stainforth Hall is a family park located near Settle and the River Ribble, which makes it an ideal base for walking or touring the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. There ...
★★★★    Rating
The Traddock
Situated within the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the peaceful village of Austwick, The Traddock is an 18th-century Grade-II listed Georgian country house, with well-tended gardens. ...
★★★★★    Rating
Langcliffe Locks
This former mill workers cottage is situated in a quiet rural location at the bottom of a country lane between the river on one side and a charming mill pond on the other. It is one of ...
★★★★    Rating
Langcliffe Locks
This former mill workers cottage is situated in a quiet rural location at the bottom of a country lane between the river on one side and a charming mill pond on the other. It is one of ...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
The Golden Lion
Beck Hall
The Lister Arms
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
The Golden Lion
Beck Hall
The Lister Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Lister Arms
The Plough Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate
The View
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
4hrs
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Hard

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
6.5 miles (10.4kms)

Ascent:
1555ft (474m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in North Yorkshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Climbing Pen-y-ghent

Recommended by
Walk details
4hrs
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Hard
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
6.5 miles (10.4kms)
Ascent:
1555ft (474m)
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.
1 of 7

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).
2 of 7

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.
3 of 7

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.
4 of 7

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.
5 of 7

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.
6 of 7

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.
7 of 7
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Easy-to-follow paths and tracks on Pen-y-ghent, steep rocky descent from summit, farmland paths, 8 stiles
  Landscape - One of the Dales' most famous mountains, with spectacular views
  Dog friendliness - Dogs should be on lead on farmland
  Parking - Car park at north end of Horton in Ribblesdale
  Toilets en route - At car park
Walks in North Yorkshire Dog-friendly walks in North Yorkshire
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...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
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.
Explore North Yorkshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Self-Catering
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
★★★
award
"Picturesque 17th-century cottage in the Yorkshire Dales..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Self-Catering
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
★★★
award
"Picturesque 17th-century cottage in the Yorkshire Dales..."
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Self-Catering
The Byres, Selside Farm
★★★★
awardaward
"Spotless property in superb rural location perfect for walkers and close to Horton in Ribblesdale..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Nearby places to stay
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
The Byres, Selside Farm
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
The Byres
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
Knight Stainforth Hall Caravan & Campsite
Knight Stainforth Hall is a family park located near Settle and the River Ribble, which makes it an ideal base for walking or touring the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. There ...
★★★★    Rating
The Traddock
Situated within the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the peaceful village of Austwick, The Traddock is an 18th-century Grade-II listed Georgian country house, with well-tended gardens. ...
★★★★★    Rating
Langcliffe Locks
This former mill workers cottage is situated in a quiet rural location at the bottom of a country lane between the river on one side and a charming mill pond on the other. It is one of ...
★★★★    Rating
Langcliffe Locks
This former mill workers cottage is situated in a quiet rural location at the bottom of a country lane between the river on one side and a charming mill pond on the other. It is one of ...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
The Golden Lion
Beck Hall
The Lister Arms
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
The Golden Lion
Beck Hall
The Lister Arms
   AA Rosette Award
The Lister Arms
The Plough Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate
The View
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby