Where is this walk?

Heart of the 3 Peaks

March 29, 2018

For those that wish to gain great view of the 3 Peaks without having to climb any this walk is perfect. The walk passes through the heart of the area and is full of variety and interest.

The Walk

The 3 Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and to a lesser extent Pen y Ghent form the backdrop to a long walk I took on a warm, sunny day in March. The walk passes through the heart of the 3 Peaks. It starts in the upper reaches of Ribblesdale and arrives in Oughtershaw. Oughtershaw is at the far end of Langstrothdale, part of Wharfedale. It is a wild, lonely area of high moors and pretty dales. Anybwalkers you meet around here will inevitably be undertaking the two long distance footpaths (Pennine Way and Dales Way).

The Cam Road is the watershed of Wensleydale, Wharfedale and Ribblesdale. It links Ribblesdale and Wensleydale. In the past it was a well used drovers road but now it is mainly used by the Forestry Commission.

A simple day walk however offers an opportunity to appreciate the contrasts in this walk. Here there are wild, lonely high moors, beautiful hidden gills near Oughtershaw and Leck Bridge and a stretch of forestry which is sufficiently open on good paths to make it highly enjoyable. It is an interesting area. As a result I certainly felt a much greater understanding of the Yorkshire Dales having completed it.

Recommend

I started from near Horton. Starting in Outershaw is simply too difficult to get to.

Navigation Tips in the Heart of the 3 Peaks

On leaving the Cam Road look for the corner of the forestry and a stile. From here a short path carries on through the trees to a second stile and the open country just below the Cam Houses.

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