Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the National Park car park in Horton in Ribblesdale and makes the classic round. It climbs Pen-y-ghent (694 m) from Brackenbottom, comes down the Pennine Way and crosses Whitber Hill. Tracks by Nether Lodge and Lodge Hall lead to the B6479, which is followed for 2 km to Ribblehead. The route passes the viaduct, climbs Whernside (736 m) by Force Gill and drops steeply to Bruntscar and Chapel-le-Dale. It climbs a steep stepped path to Ingleborough (723 m) and returns over Sulber Nick to Horton.
It is 39.0 km with 1,487 m of ascent; allow about 13¾ hours. The grade is Strenuous: about 39 km and three big climbs in one day.
The time is walking time with no stops; most people take 10 to 12 hours. The National Park says you need to be able to navigate and cope with conditions on the high fells, and that it is best walked from spring to early autumn, in daylight. In cloud it is easy to leave the top of Ingleborough the wrong way. Food and drink are sold at Ribblehead and Chapel-le-Dale; the only public toilets are in Horton.
The National Park car park costs £3.80 for up to two hours, £6 for longer and £7 for 24 hours. It fills very early on summer Saturdays. Horton in Ribblesdale station is 400 m away.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Pen-y-ghent (694 m), Whernside (736 m) and Ingleborough (723 m) in one round from Horton
- About 24 miles with some 1,500 m of climbing
- The traditional challenge is to finish within 12 hours
- The Station Inn at Ribblehead and the Old Hill Inn at Chapel-le-Dale are on the way
Summits on the way
- Pen-y-ghent 694 m
- Tarn Bar · passed close by
- Whitber Hill 427 m · passed close by
- Whernside 737 m
- Ingleborough 723 m
Getting there
Start: Horton in Ribblesdale car park · Pay and display. 54.14879, -2.29598
By train: Horton-in-Ribblesdale station is 0.4 km from the start.
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Horton-in-Ribblesdale: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
