🏔️ Your Guide to Completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks
The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge is one of the UK’s most iconic hikes. 24 miles, three scenic summits, and less than 12 hours to conquer them! This guide covers everything you need to know, to tackle the summits of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. From outlining your Yorkshire Three Peaks route map and packing list to sharing helpful hints and tips from our first-hand experience.
🥾 What is the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge?
The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a 24 mile circular hike, completing the three largest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales. The challenge is to complete all three: Pen-Y-Ghent (694 meters), Whernside (736 meters) and Ingleborough (723 meters) in under 12 hours.
The peaks are not particularly gruelling individually, but combined, this challenge should not be underestimated. In return, you are rewarded with some of the best views and scenery in all of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a beautiful part of the country, and the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a great way to experience it.
🧭 Yorkshire Three Peaks Route
The challenge usually starts and ends at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The distance, combined with three substantial climbs, makes it tough but achievable in a day.
- The first peak is Pen-y-Ghent with a steep but short climb straight from Horton.
- Whernside is the longest section, with a steady ascent and wide views across the Dales.
The final climb is Ingleborough. It’s a steep push to the summit, before descending back into Horton.
The full loop is about 1,500m of ascent. Most hikers aim to complete it in 10–12 hours.
📝 Our Overview of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
Your starting point will be the cute village of Horton-in-Ribbersdale. The official starting point is outside the Pen-y-Ghent Cafe in the center of the village. You can choose to sign in at the Cafe to make your times official, but this isn’t compulsory (we chose not to).
There is free parking in a lay-by opposite the church. Or there’s a car park which is £7 all day. The car parks do fill up quickly though, so we advise getting there early! There are public toilets here too, which is very convenient before starting the hike. From here you’re ready to start your first peak – Pen-y-Ghent.
1️⃣ Peak 1: Pen-y-Ghent
Pen-y-Ghent is good starting peak. Your legs will be fresh, it’s easy to get to, and at 694 meters, it is the smallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
From Pen-y-Ghent Cafe, head South towards the Golden Lion Pub (there is a church and graveyard opposite it). Follow the road along as it bares left and take the second road on your left. It’s a single track lane, which leads you straight to Brackenbottom.
After a short walk along the lane, you’ll come across a stone barn. You’ll see a wooden post outside it with “Pen-y-Ghent Summit” pointing towards the fields. We started our hike at 5:45am, so it was difficult to see the path. Don’t worry if this is the case – head in the direction of Pen-y-Ghent and you can’t go too far wrong. Soon after you’ll hit a shingle foot path. This is the Pennine Way, which will take you to the summit of Pen-y-Ghent.
The official route heads up the south side of Pen-y-Ghent, which is the easiest and quickest route. The route to the summit is clearly marked and not to gruelling. From the summit you have undisrupted views of the Yorkshire Dales all around you. It’s the first time the Yorkshire Three Peaks route is really put into perspective. On a clear day you can your next two peaks in the distance and the 12 mile walk ahead of you to Whernside. By this point, you’ve hiked about 2.5 miles and you should have reached the summit somewhere between 90 minutes – 2 hours.
The Route to Whernside
The descent down Pen-y-Ghent is easy going on the knees. Follow the trail all the way, keeping south of Hull Pot. You should be able to follow a shingle path.
Depending on your pace, after 1-2 hours of traipsing across fields in the direction of Ribblehead, you’ll come out onto Ingleborough Road / Gauber Road. You’ve covered 9 miles so far! As you continue down the road, you’ll soon see the Ribblehead Viaduct. This is a great opportunity to make a quick refreshment stop if you’ve packed food, or you can stop for a quick bite and a cup of something hot at the tea van. When you’re ready, cross the road and follow the track towards the viaduct.
2️⃣ Peak 2: Whernside
The walk to Whernside’s summit is a long, tough trek. It feels like it goes on a lot longer than it really does . But at 736 meters high, it is your highest peak of the three and a good milestone to tick off.
From your pit-stop, follow the viaduct and the railway line all the way along. You’ll cross a small bridge just before the railway line disappears into a tunnel. From here, you begin the ascent to the summit of Whernside!
It’s an easy track to follow, which takes you directly to the summit. Although it’s rocky and uneven in places, so it can be a little tough on your feet. The path starts to curve back on itself, and you’ll have great views of the viaduct as you push for the summit.
This is your longest ascent during your Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, but it’s very much worth it once you get to the top. On a clear day you can see exactly where you’ve come from and where you’re going next. You can see Pen-y-Ghent in the distance and you get the most amazing views of Ingleborough from the top of Whernside.
🥾 The Yorkshire Three Peaks Route to Ingleborough
The Whernside descent is probably the most difficult. The route down mostly consists of steep, narrow and uneven steps. It’s not technical, but because your pace needs to slow , it does feel like you’re making your way down for eternity. Eventually you’ll come across a few houses which are on flat, even ground so it’s a nice, easy walk for your legs and feet.
Keep following this path and you’ll soon end up by Low Sleights Road. Walk up until you come across The Old Hill Inn on your right-hand side. A little further up from the pub, in the stone wall, is a small wooden gate. Climb through that and walk through the fields towards Ingleborough to begin your final peak! You’ve walked about 17 miles of your Yorkshire Three Peaks Route by now and doing well!
3️⃣ Peak 3: Ingleborough
At 724 meters high Ingleborough is your middle height peak. However on the approach it looks much higher and steeper than the other two.
Follow the track through the fields and prepare for a little bog (some areas are boggier than others). As you get nearer to Ingleborough there are slab steps to help avoid waterlogged areas. But good waterproof hiking boots should be a must anyway.
You may have to use your hands and feet to reach the top, but this is not a grade 1 scramble. There’s a small waterfall which runs down Ingleborough and can make the rocks slippery, so just be careful.
After some careful navigation though you’ll reach the summit! From here you can see the whole circuit before you. From Pen-y-Ghent, across to Ribblehead and over to Whernside. You can see everywhere you’ve walked, allowing you to take it all in. It’s an immense feeling, you’ll feel exhausted but you’ll love it. And most importantly – celebrate!! You did it!
But don’t take your eye off the ball. The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge isn’t over just yet as you need to start your final descent. The last 5 miles or so will likely be the worst part of the challenge. Your legs and feet will likely be aching and exhaustion may be starting to set in. It seems further than the sign posts are telling you, but keep at it. Much like your previous two peaks, it’s a single track straight back to Horton.
When you finally reach Horton again, now you can celebrate!! When we completed the challenge, we stayed at a B&B nearby, which had a lovely pub next door. We treated ourselves (and our feet) to a good hot bath and a nice home cooked hearty meal at the pub. Perfect!
How long to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge?
In a 12-hour challenge, you can expect Pen-y-Ghent, to take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Whernside will take about 2.5 to 3 hours, and the final peak, Ingleborough, will take roughly 3 to 3.5 hours, followed by the descent back to the start. Here’s a typical breakdown:
Pen-y-Ghent: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from the start in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
Whernside: Around 2.5 to 3 hours from the summit of Pen-y-Ghent.
Ingleborough: About 3 to 3.5 hours from the summit of Whernside. Descent to Horton-in-Ribblesdale: Approximately 2.5 hours from the summit of Ingleborough.
While pace is important to complete the challenge, you will need to allocate brief stops for food and water. Your fitness level and ability to maintain a consistent pace is also critical.
Yorkshire Three Peaks Packing List
Clothing & Footwear
- Good hiking boots (already broken in). A lot of the ground is uneven and boggy, so you’ll boots that are waterproof and with great ankle support.
- Moisture-wicking base layers (avoid cotton)
Mid-layer fleece or softshell
Waterproof jacket & trousers (the British weather is always unpredictable)
Comfortable walking socks (plus a spare pair)
Hat & gloves (even in summer, it can be windy on summits). Sunglasses for sunny days.
- SPF. There’s zero cover, so if it’s hot you’ll want to be protected.
Food & Water
- At least 2–3 litres of water (hydration bladder or bottles)
- Electrolyte tablets
- High-energy snacks (nuts, dried fruit, flapjacks, energy bars)
- Packed lunch (sandwiches, wraps, or something easy to eat on the move)
Gear & Essentials
- Small daypack (20–30L). Ensure it’s a good quality hiking bag with good back support
- Fully charged phone + portable charger / power bank
- If using GPS for your Yorkshire Three Peaks route, make sure you’ve downloaded your map beforehand so you can use it offline
- Headtorch (just in case)
- Basic first aid kit (plasters, blister pads, painkillers)
- Walking poles (optional, but helpful for descents)
Top tip: Pack as light as possible, while covering essentials. Over 24 miles, every kilo will feel heavier as you go.
When is the best time of year to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge?
You’ll want to maximise daylight hours, so we’d suggest avoiding the winter, even on those crisp sunny days.
The shoulder seasons of spring (April-early June) and autumn (September-late October) are your best bet, when conditions will likely be more comfortable. We completed our challenge in October and we found the conditions to be just right.
Are there toilets?
The only toilets are in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. But you can’t always time it when nature calls! Please always be considerate of others. Try to position yourself away from streams so it doesn’t end up in waterways, and also ensure wherever you go is well away from the trodden path of others.
Are there bins along the route?
There aren’t any bins. Please take all your waste and rubbish with you to look after the beautiful surroundings.
👋 Get in Touch
We hope this has helped you plan your Yorkshire Three Peaks route. It’s an incredible experience and an amazing challenge. Completing it is no small feat — 24 miles, three summits, and a day of breathtaking scenery in the heart of the Dales. Whether you’re aiming to tick it off as a personal challenge or tackling it as a team effort, the sense of achievement at the finish line is unforgettable. With the right preparation, kit, and mindset, the Three Peaks is tough but absolutely doable. It’s an adventure that will stay with you long after you’ve left the hills behind!
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Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
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