The Pen-y-ghent walk is a 6.3-mile circular walk from Horton in Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales over the summit of Pen-y-ghent, which includes 470 metres of ascent.
Of the three peaks, Pen Y Ghent offers the easiest day hike. The following six-mile circular hike can be easily completed within four hours and is suitable for families.
For Pen-y-ghent East follow the Penine Way track from Dale Head to the start of the steep climb up to the summit of the mountain then contour rightwards on a vague sheep track for about 1 mile. The approach takes around 45 minutes.
How long does it take to climb Pen y Fan? The circular walk up Pen y Fan takes around two and a half hours to complete in total. This is a moderate but reasonably strenuous walk of around four miles. The time it takes to reach the summit depends on your level of fitness, and the pace you want to go at.
A Yorkshire classic, Pen-y-ghent, is many people's first peak. This circular route starts from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, climbs gently up Brackenbottom Scar, and then follows the Pennine Way on the climb to the 694m high summit.
Pen-y-ghent & Hull Pot Guide, Yorkshire Three Peaks | English Countryside Walk
Can kids climb Pen-y-ghent?
There is a scramble required to reach the top, which is why we recommend going up from the South face of Pen y Ghent with kids. There are steep unguarded drops. BE AWARE: The top of the mountain is very exposed and so can get extremely windy. Check the mountain forecast before heading out.
Which is harder, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) or Pen y Fan? All routes on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) are classed as 'difficult', plus it's higher and more rugged than Pen y Fan.
If rain hasn't fallen recently, well-fitting trainers with trail soles are fine for wearing up Pen y Fan. If you have fickle ankles or there's any suggestion of mud and rain, do wear proper boots.
Whernside is the easiest of the three peaks to climb. it's a massive beast of a hill but with a relatively gentle ascent and descent. Pen-y-ghent is much steeper with a little hands-on scrambling. Ingleborough has some almost vertical summit slopes which are particularly taxing if it's your last peak of the day.
Pen Y Fan is a top walk and accessible for most fitness levels. The main routes are not too steep and take about 2-3 hours in total from top to bottom (without stopping for a long duration). It was very cold and snowy when we did the walk, but gave the hill some atmosphere.
Pen-y-ghent / Silverdale from Stainforth is a climb in the region Yorkshire Dales. It is 5.9km long and bridges 250 vertical meters with an average gradient of 4.3%, resulting in a difficulty score of 173. The top of the ascent is located at 437 meters above sea level.
The Cape Wrath Trail, or CWT, is an almost 400km long-distance route from Fort William to the lighthouse at the most north-westerly point of Scotland, Cape Wrath.
Explore the depths of the Yorkshire Dales National Park with this Pen-y-Ghent Circular Walk. This route is extremely dog friendly, with the open countryside paired with astounding views making for the perfect day out with your canine companions.
Pen-y-ghent is probably the toughest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, but the quickest to complete. If you are aiming to complete the challenge in 12 hours, then this should take approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes. Expect steep sections and uneven surfaces, evening out towards the summit.
How Long Does it Take to Hike up Pen y Fan? It will take approximately 3 to 3.5 hours to hike up the route and back again. Compared to some of the other mountain routes in Wales or the UK this is relatively short but it is steep so pacing yourself is the only option if you want to reach the top.
1. Turn right out of the National Park car park and walk out of the village passing the Golden Lion pub and church and cross a small stream. Then turn left up a minor tarmac road. Follow this road up towards Brackenbottom Farm and just before reaching some buildings take a footpath on your left signed to Pen-y-ghent.
Scrambling is a mountaineering activity that takes the middle ground between hiking and rock climbing. Participants generally cannot complete a scrambling route without using their hands. Routes in the UK are graded 1-3, with grade 1 routes being the easiest and grade 3 the most challenging.
Starting the Yorkshire Three Peaks from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, and walking in the traditional counterclockwise direction, Pen-y-Ghent is the first peak to be ascended.
YDS CLASS 3 - Moderate scrambling on steep, rocky terrain that requires handholds for upward movement and safety. Beginners may want a belay due to increased exposure and risk of serious injury. with medium to high exposure. Hand and foot holds are large, secure and easy to find, requiring little climbing experience.
Etymology. In the Cumbric language, exactly as in today's Welsh, pen meant 'top' or 'head', and y is most likely the definite article (the), exactly as in Modern Welsh y (compare Pen-y-berth 'end of the hedge/copse', or Pen-y-ffordd 'head of the road/way', etc.).
Other iconic mountains in Wales are not as high as Snowdon. Pen y Fan (pictured above) is the tallest mountain in South Wales and the roof of the Brecon Beacons National Park, but it's only 886m high – rather dinky by Snowdon's standards.
How does 'steepest public road' in the world sound? With a maximum gradient of 37.45% the Guinness World Records gave Ffordd Penllech [Harlech, North Wales] that accolade in 2019. It's certainly the steepest road in the UK. It's so steep that the road is actually a one-way street going down ...
