Yorkshire Three Peaks

Meet late afternoon at the Discover Adventure campsite near Chapel-le-Dale, nestled between two of the three peaks. After dinner and a thorough trip briefing you will meet the other walkers from your group, have time to prepare your kit and get a good night’s sleep, ready for the next day’s strenuous challenge!

After a good fuelling breakfast in camp, it will be time to set off! The route will take you south through the broad green dale, criss-crossed with dry-stone walls. Ingleborough’s stepped shape – due to its alternating layers of limestone, sandstone and shale – will rise before you. Whernside, the second peak, dominates the landscape behind. The route will pass through the village of Chapel-le-Dale and you and your group will soon reach the base of Ingleborough (723m), where a stepped path zig-zags fairly steadily to the summit. Soak up the views over the surrounding dramatic landscapes, an area of rocky outcrops and limestone scars, and the impressive sight of the famous 400m-long Ribblehead Viaduct, built in the 1870s.

Descending along a ridge to the valley below, the route is parallel to the Settle – Carlisle Railway. Take a moment to enjoy a flattish section! Passing through Ribblehead, at the head of Chapel-le-Dale, and you will have the opportunity to admire the viaduct from close quarters.

From here, you can also see the distinctive whale-back shape of Whernside (736m).

Continuing on your adventure, your group will pass numerous limestone escarpments and outcrops; this amazing scenery provides wonderful motivation to keep legs moving! When it’s time to gradually begin the ascent, a slabbed path will take you all the way to the summit. The last section is particularly steep but your efforts will be rewarded with the views. On a good day you can even see across to Morecambe Bay on the west coast!

From there, enjoy a short break and the knowledge that it’s not too far back to camp! It will be a steep descent off the mountain, but the trek back to camp is relatively short and flat. Once you’ve arrived back at camp, you will enjoy a group evening meal with your fellow trekkers.

Trek approx. 12 miles (6-8 hours)

It’s a short drive (15-20 mins) to Horton in Ribblesdale, where you and your group will take the Pennine Way towards your third and final peak – the distinctive stepped outcrop of Pen-y-Ghent. Once again, there are good views to be enjoyed back towards Horton and across to Whernside and Ingleborough.

The route will follow clear, well-worn paths which lead quite steeply up to the summit; there are some steep stone steps too. There will be time at the summit (694m) to take in more views before taking a westerly path down off the mountain and loop round to Horton once more (the exact route may depend on group ability). At this point, feel proud of your accomplishments!

While it will then be time to say goodbye to the group and new friends, we hope you will head home with a huge sense of achievement.

Trek approx. 6-8 miles (4-5 hours)