Pen y Ghent from Horton

• Classic & best route up this popular fell
• Full of interest throughout the climb
• Extend to the broad ridge of Plover Hill

Pen y Ghent (probable meaning hill on the border) is the most famous and popular of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Whether it is the best is a matter of conjecture, it is the smallest in height and area but has a dramatic outline from Horton in Ribblesdale. The 3 great rakes which are clearly viewed on the climb were formed only in 1881 after a tremendous thunderstorm washed away the top soil leaving the millstone grit and limestone exposed. This exposed millstone does give for a pleasant little scramble up loose rock before the extensive summit views take the attention. I have climbed Pen y Ghent on numerous occasions from all possible sides and the Horton climb is best but a walk is almost always better as a circular and this is no different. Join the Pennine Way off the summit plateau and slowly turn South back towards the finely named hamlet of Bracken’s Bottom. A few hundred yards off the route where the Pennine Way is left is Hull Point, the largest natural hole in England, whatever that is meant to mean! Still well worth a visit though. Pen y Ghent is the real heart of England lying on the watershed; waters to the West entering the Ribble and ending up in the Irish Sea, to the East the Wharfe eventually finds its way in to the Humber estuary – a truly tortuous journey!

Recommend: Avoid the crowds for a while and stroll the long ridge to Plover Hill.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1/25,000. OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western Section
Start Point:	810722. If possible park at the Bracken Bottom South end of Horton. Alternatively there is a large NCP 400 yards further north.
Terrain:	Height 2,278'. The ascent from Horton is steady till the steep final pull. The paths are all badly eroded on this walk which is why it is so enjoyable to take a stroll to Plover Hill before descending.
Eating & Drinking:	Horton has never been my favourite place but the two pubs are ok; to me the Crown is preferable to the Golden Lion. However for once the Three Peaks tea shop should call - a bit of history as the start and finish of the full Three Peaks.
Similar Walks Nearby:	Whernside from Ribblehead Heart of 3 Peaks Country Ingleborough & Gaping Gill
Places to Stay:	Coniston Hall, nr Skipton