Pen-Y-Ghent and Plover Hill

Starting point  and OS Grid reference:  Car park in Horton-in-Ribblesdale (SD 808726)		Ordnance Survey Map OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western Areas. Buy this map from List of OS Maps   Note: If you use OS Maps on-line, you can download this route via this link.
Distance: 8.45 miles	Date of Walk: 11 June 2025
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	555m (1821ft) 555m (1820ft)
Traffic light rating:    (For explanation see My Walks page)
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Introduction: There is something about Pen-y-Ghent, one of the summits to be conquered during the famous “Three Peaks” walk – the others being Ingleborough and Whernside. It has an unmistakable majesty and profile all of its own. A bonus is that if you do the walk at the end of March/beginning of April at about 1900 feet on the limestone cliffs you may be lucky enough to see the rare purple saxifrage, which was left over from the last ice age.

Wonderful views from the summit ridge of course.

The walk is pretty straightforward from a navigation point of view. Large sections of the path have been 'manicured' with large stones and on the summit are stone flags. I can see these reinforcements are a necessity but take care if conditions are icy, as the ice can make for very tricky walking on them. There is one short section of scrambling where you will need to use your hands. Again, take great care if it is icy.

Crossing the summit to Plover Hill can be boggy and gaiters are recommended but if you do not fancy this, you can take the easy Pennine Way route back to Horton, joining the broad track near Hull Pot. This is an unmistakable well ‘manicured’ path.

The track from there to Horton is particularly attractive with some interesting limestone scenery.

I recommend undertaking this walk in the direction shown (i.e. anti-clockwise) as the scramble is much safer going up than down.

The walk starts at the main car park close to the Crown Inn on the B 6479 at Horton-in-Ribblesdale (SD 808726). Alternatively, you can park at the Golden Lion Hotel at more modest cost. To get there, take the signposted turn off by the river bridge in Settle. Horton is also accessible via train from the Settle Carlisle route.

At peak times you will find Horton very busy because Horton is a common starting point for the Three Peaks Challenge.

NB. Some of the photos are from when I did the walk previously and some on my latest trip on 11 June 2025.

Start: Out of the car park, turn right and walk through the village on the B6479 and round the right-angled bend by the church. Ignore the first on the left (where the post box is) and take the second left which is School Lane. Follow this round until you get to a barn on the left at Brackenbottom Farm and a finger post on the left signed “Pennine Way” (SD 818722). Pass through the gate and the small walkers' gate.

The well worn and now largely 'manicured' route then follows the line of the stone wall on your left. You reach the ridge just below the “nose” of Pen-y-Ghent at a ‘T’ junction of paths (SD 836728). Turn left.

# If you are picking this walk up as a continuation of my Horton in Ribblesdale to Helwith Bridge and Great Moor Head walk, this is where they intersect.

The walk now earns its red traffic light with a vengeance. A very steep climb, keeping the wall to your left and  where you may need to use your hands now and again, takes you to the summit (SD 839734). Here you will find the trig point and an unusual ‘S’ shaped shelter with stone seating built into the wall. There are magnificent views east towards Littondale, west towards Ingleborough and north-west towards Whernside.

Climb the ladder stile to the west side of the wall. If for any reason you want to shorten the walk, the Pennine Way straight ahead and indicated by a finger post will take you back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Otherwise, turn right following the wall to the summit of Plover Hill. The wall you have been following meets another at a ‘T’ (SD 748752). Cross this wall and the path then kinks slightly right before a steep grassy descent across Foxup Moor to a broad track (SD 846762). Turn left.

This has been ‘reinforced’ with stone to prevent erosion but has made it a little tricky and you need to take great care not to stumble.

Cross Foxup Moor and at a broad track (SD 846762). Turn left.

Basically this track now takes you straight back to Horton but there is an interesting feature to look out for about 1.75 miles after you join the track. This is Hull Pot on the right about 200 feet from the track (SD 825746).

The track emerges in Horton close to the car park. Ignore any left or right turns on the way.

Just before Horton there is a fork in the track where there is a rough diagram of the Three Peaks Route. Keep right here to the road.

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