Ranger Ultras Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra

The course

What you’re in for

Out from Hawes, over Pen-y-ghent and back — fifty kilometres with 1,280 m of climb, and a good first mountain ultra because the shape of it is simple. Fixed finger posts and nothing else, so you navigate from the GPX and the course notes. Off at ten on the Saturday with a seven in the evening cut-off. Refreshments on the course, hot food and indoor resting space at HQ afterwards.

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Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Hawes, North Yorkshire, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

MODERATE

Hawes to Hardraw Force via The Green Dragon Pub

10.3km · 130m climb · Loop · 0.1km away

An easy riverside loop to Hardraw Force and back past Wensleydale Creamery — a gentle one to blow off the cobwebs before pie and a pint back in Hawes.

Checked Jun 2026

MODERATE

Muker, Thwaite and Keld

10.8km · 169m climb · Loop · 8.6km away

You circle Kisdon Hill through the three prettiest villages in Swaledale, past the hidden Kisdon Force and through the famous hay meadows that turn the valley yellow in June.

HARD

Horse Head and Cosh from Halton Gill

21.9km · 547m climb · Loop · 13km away

The Horse Head Pass links Littondale and Langstrothdale on a route that barely anyone runs, so you get proper Dales solitude on ground that's been used as a working crossing for centuries.

HARD

Wild Boar Fell, Swarth Fell and Swarth Fell Pike from Mallerstang

22.7km · 708m climb · Loop · 14km away

Three summits joined by a single ridge, a ruined castle at the start, and some of the emptiest fell running anywhere in the Yorkshire Dales boundary.

MODERATE

Aysgarth Falls and Bolton Castle Loop

10.4km · 151m climb · Loop · 14km away

Two proper Yorkshire landmarks in one short morning out - tumbling waterfalls and a 700 year old castle - for less climbing than your local parkrun.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Buckden Pike from Buckden

19.1km · 580m climb · Loop · 14km away

A steep climb rewards you with one of the best viewpoints in the southern Dales — Wharfedale laid out below in both directions.

Checked Jul 2026

All routes near Hawes →All Yorkshire Dales routes →

How to enter

Common questions

How far is the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra?

The Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra is one distance: 50 km (31.1 miles).

How much climbing is in the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra?

The 50 km has 1,280 m of ascent.

How hard is the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra?

Not graded yet. A TRP grade is worked out from distance and climb measured off the course file, and there isn't one for the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra yet.

Is the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra course marked?

No. The Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What kit do I need for the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra. Ranger Ultras confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra?

Overall time limits — 50 km: 9h.

What is at the checkpoints on the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra?

We don't hold a checkpoint list for the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Ranger Ultras race information rather than turning up expecting food.

Can I download the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra route?

Not yet — we don't hold a course file for the Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra. Some organisers only send the GPX to entrants. If we get one, it goes up free, with no sign-up.

When is the next Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra?

No date announced. When Ranger Ultras confirm the next Pen-Y-Ghent Ultra, it appears here and on the race calendar.

Past runnings