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Pen-y-ghent via Horton Scar from Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Three Peaks Country

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.8 miles / 11 km    Ascent - 1530 feet / 464 metres

Time - 4 hours 50 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL2Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL2Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 98Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 98Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Pen-y-ghent via Horton Scar
Click image to visit gallery of 9 images.

Rising to 694 metres above sea level, Pen-y-ghent is the lowest mountain of the Yorkshire "Big Three". When viewed from the south west its offers a distinctive shape, caused by its geology, and looks a little like the prow of some great ship. Rising above the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the summit is crossed by the Pennine Way and offers some fine views across North Yorkshire and Lancashire. The village of Horton has refreshments (café and pubs) and there are toilets at the main car park. This route to the summit is probably the most popular and can be busy at weekends in fine weather.

The best place to start this Yorkjshire Dales walk is the pay and display car park (grid ref. SD807726) on the northern outskirts of the village adjacent to the River Ribble. Exit the car park and walk south into the village. After a few hundred yards, take the signed walled lane on your left to Pen-y-ghent. The going is fairly easy and you don't really notice the steady climb through some pretty limestone scenery. With Pen-y-ghent clearly in view to your right you cross Horton Scar to reach the end of the walled lane (Grid ref. SD823743).

Go through the gate and turn right on the clear path. The climb continues to be steady as the flank of Pen-y-ghent gets closer. The path turns sharp right with the 2000 feet contour already passed. All that remains is just over 200 feet of ascent to the summit from where there are some wonderful views. To the northwest and west lie the other two mountains of the "Big Three" - Whernside and Ingleborough. To the south lie the hills and moors of Lancashire with Pendle Hill the easiest summit to identify.

Having enjoyed the view, descend by the way you came. Reaching the end of the walled lane, you can make a short diversion to see Hull Pot. From the gate turn right and the great pot hole is a few hundred metres up the valley.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3392 Darnbrook Fell & Fountains Fellmoderate6.4 miles
Walk 1251 The Norber Erratics & Sulber Gatemoderate8.0 miles
Walk 2620 Sulber Gate & Crummack Dale from Austwickmoderate9.5 miles
Walk 2649 Attermire Scar & Malham Tarn from Stainforthmod/hard16.5 miles
Walk 1248 Trow Gill, Ingleborough & Long Scarmoderate9.5 miles
Walk 2796 Ingleborough via Gaping Gill & Norbermoderate13.0 miles
Walk 3599 Clapham, Oxenber Woods, Feizor & Settleeasy/mod7.5 miles
Walk 3094 Norber & Norber Erracticseasy/mod6.3 miles
Walk 2617 Nappa Cross & Victoria Cave from Langcliffemoderate9.5 miles
Walk 1404 Oxenber and Wharfe Woods from Langcliffemoderate10.5 miles

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Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire Dales

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire DalesGuidebook to 40 of the best trail and fell runs in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ranging from 5 to 24 miles, the graded runs start from bases such as Ribblehead, Dent, Sedbergh, Malham and Grassington and take in the region's diverse delights, from castles and waterfalls to iconic mountains such as Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen Y Ghent.
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Pennine Way Map Booklet

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