Yorkshire Dales walk: Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge, anti-clockwise (24 mi)

Yorkshire Dales walk: Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge, anti-clockwise (24 mi)

This is the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge

By Peak District Outdoor Adventures

Date and time

Sat, 2 Aug 2025 09:00 - 19:30 GMT+1

Location

Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Pennine Way Settle BD24 0HG United Kingdom

About this event

  • Event lasts 10 hours 30 minutes

The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge is a very popular walk the includes three summits of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, in the North of England. Hundreds of thousands of people attempt this walk each year.
We will start our adventure from Horton-in-Ribblesdale and we'll be walking anti-clockwise, completing the three peaks in this order: Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, Ingleborough.


Featured photos of this event:


Planned route:


Main viewpoints:

  • Horton-in-Ribblesdale
  • Pen-y-Ghent (694 mt)
  • Whitber Hill (427 mt)
  • Coppy Gill
  • Ribblehead
  • View of Ribblehead Viaduct
  • Low Force Waterfall
  • Greensett Moss
  • Whernside (736 mt)
  • Southerscales Nature Reserve
  • Ingleborough (723 mt)


Notes:

  • In the Komoot link mentioned above you can find out more about this hike: photos and information about each viewpoint, length, specific route, ascents, descents, etc.
  • The ascent of the first peak (Pen-y-Ghent) includes some easy scrambling.
  • Make sure you do some challenging walks in the weeks before this event, otherwise you will feel exhausted and might not be able to complete the walk. This hike requires an adequate level of fitness.
  • If you are not sure about your fitness level, you could join some of our walks. We have scheduled several walks for the spring and summer. They are a good opportunity for you to build up your stamina.
  • Make sure you understand the elevation gain and distance mentioned in the walk description. Ask yourself if you are able to complete this walk.
  • Be aware that if you are very slow, the rest of the group (including the walk leader) might not wait for you.
  • We will try to complete the challenge in around 10 hours. Hence we will keep a reasonably fast pace all day, without having long breaks.
  • Even if you are not very fast, you can still join us and complete the walk at your own pace and/or take a shortcut. During the day you will see hundreds of people trying to complete this challenge. You won't be alone.
  • If you look at the route you will see that it is possible to take few shortcuts. If you need help with this, please let me know and I will explain you the possible shortcuts.
  • If you don't want or can't complete the full loop, you could end your walk at Ribblehead train station and then catch the train back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
  • If you come late to the meeting point and you are not sure to be able to complete the walk in a reasonable time, you could walk clockwise and end your walk at Ribblehead train station, and then take the train back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
  • It might be useful to have the hiking route on your phone, so that in case you need to take a shortcut and/or can't keep the same pace of the group, you know where to go. However there are always people in the area and you could ask for some help. We won't be in a remote place.
  • If you have knee pain when walking downhill, try using hiking poles.
  • Fit and friendly dogs can join. But please keep your dog on a lead when we find livestock.
  • Please don't come with flat trainers and/or jeans. You need comfortable walking trousers and shoes with good grip (so that you minimise the risk of falling down and potentially getting injured).
  • The route​ is planned in advance using Komoot. The walk leader typically does not recce the walk before the event. It is possible to find muddy terrain and/or slippery paths.
  • It might be very windy and cold when we are on top of the hills. So you will need to bring some warm clothes with you.
  • Be aware that in case of extreme weather conditions this event might be canceled or postponed.
  • Any important news or updates before the event will be sent to you by email.
  • The actual date and time of this walk might change slightly. It will be confirmed few weeks before it takes place.
  • The main walk leader usually wears blue shoes and red backpack, you should be able to recognise him.
  • ​We have a WhatsApp community which you can join after attending at least one event.
  • We would like the group to offer more walks, and of different level. But we need more people to help by creating hiking routes and/or leading walks. If you are interested to be involved, please talk to the organisers. In case you don't have experience, we will help you.


Weather forecasts:


What to bring:

  • required: walking clothes, hiking shoes, enough food and water for a full day
  • recommended: raincoat, warm fleece, comfortable backpack, suncream, sunglasses, phone
  • optional: hiking poles, hat, cap, camera, torch, gloves


More details:

  • Meeting time: 9:00am
  • Meeting point: Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park, Pennine Way, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Settle, BD24 0HG
  • Start time: 9:05am
  • Length: 24 miles / 40 km
  • Elevation gain: 4,800 feet / 1,400 mt
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Expected duration: around 10 hours


Expected schedule:

  • 9:05am: Start from Horton-in-Ribblesdale
  • 10:10am: Pen-y-Ghent summit
  • 1:00pm: Ribblesdale
  • 2:00pm: Low Force Waterfall
  • 2:50pm: Whernside summit
  • 4:10pm: Southerscales Nature Reserve
  • 5:10pm: Ingleborough summit
  • 7:20pm: Arrival to Horton-in-Ribblesdale


Public transport in the morning:

  • train from Leeds (7:48am) to Horton-in-Ribblesdale (8:58am)

Public transport in the evening:

  • trains from Horton-in-Ribblesdale (6:12pm, 7:54pm, 9:51pm) to Leeds


Terms and Conditions:
Anyone joining this walk is responsible for their safety and health (including guests). We do not have any insurance policy covering injuries. If you join this event, you must agree to these conditions.


If you have any questions, please contact the event organiser.

Organised by

We offer free outdoor events (typically hikes / walks, but also bike rides, etc) in the Peak District national park.

Our events are a great opportunity to stay healthy and active (physically and mentally), connect with other people, spend time in the nature and view beautiful sceneries.

Everyone is welcome to join our outdoor adventures, regardless of age, ability, or any other factor.

Our walks typically last a full day. There is no climbing involved, but occasionally our walks can include an easy scramble.

Each walk is lead by an advanced hiker that knows well the area. For every event the route is shared in advance (with a GPX file and a Komoot link).

We have a WhatsApp community which you can join after attending at least one event.