Pen-y-ghent Circular

A closed circular loop of 10 km / 6 miles starting and finishing at the Horton-in-Ribblesdale National Park car park. Expect about 3.5 to 4 hours at an ordinary pace, with time for the steep upper section, rough footing and a stop at the top. It is graded hard/moderate-hard (6/10): the easiest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, but still a proper hill walk rather than a lowland stroll.

• Leave the car park and walk through the village, passing the Golden Lion and the church, then cross a small stream.
• Follow the minor tarmac road towards Brackenbottom Farm and take the signed footpath on the left just before the buildings.
• Climb steadily beside the wall through fields to join the Pennine Way, then tackle the steeper, rockier final pull to the summit trig point and shelter at 694 m.
• Cross the wall and descend north-west on the clear path, passing Hunt Pot, to the junction and gate at the top of Horton Scar Lane.
• The walled lane takes you back down through limestone country to Horton and the car park.

Classic Dales limestone all the way: pale outcrops, dry-stone walls and open fell. The distinctive flat-topped profile of the hill is the draw, and the summit gives wide panoramic views across the surrounding dales and fells. Hunt Pot on the descent is a dark slot in the ground and worth a careful look. The walled lane finish is easy on tired legs and photogenic in low side light.

• Mostly clear paths and tracks, with field paths, a wall-side ascent, a rough rocky section near the summit and a stony walled lane on the way down.
• Navigation is relatively straightforward, but this is open upland ground where it gets colder and windier than the valley.
• Surfaces are uneven in places, so boots with ankle support and grip help.
• Take care near limestone holes and sinkholes, and expect to cross fields with livestock.

From near the top of Horton Scar Lane you can make a short there-and-back spur to Hull Pot, a large open chasm. It is not included in the 10 km distance, so add time if you want it. The edges are unfenced, so keep well back and keep children and dogs close.

• Start from the National Park Authority pay-and-display car park at Horton-in-Ribblesdale beside the B6479, BD24 0HF, grid reference SD 807 724.
• There are public toilets at the car park.
• Horton railway station on the Settle to Carlisle line is close to the start, so the loop works well by train.
• Dogs are allowed on the public rights of way. Keep them on a lead around livestock and under close control throughout, with a short lead from March to July for ground-nesting birds. Watch them near open holes and unfenced edges.