Pen-y-ghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale

The route

This is the go-to introduction to the Three Peaks, a 9.5km loop that delivers a real summit on a compact, runnable circuit. From Horton-in-Ribblesdale the route follows lanes and tracks before swinging onto Pen-y-ghent's distinctive stepped southern ridge. The climb is direct and gets steeper as you go, with around 459m of ascent concentrated into the upper half.

The summit

Near the top the path meets a short rocky step where you use your hands briefly to pull over the gritstone band, the one genuinely technical moment of the route. Above it the angle eases to the 694m summit, perched on the edge of a fine escarpment with views across Ribblesdale to Ingleborough and Whernside. The descent follows the Pennine Way north before turning back toward Horton on good, fast tracks that let you open up the legs.

Why it works

For a route under 10km this gives an outsized sense of mountain achievement. The rocky step adds a dash of excitement without serious difficulty, the summit is a proper one, and the loop format keeps the running varied throughout. It is ideal as a first fell summit, a quick hill fix, or a leg-opener before a bigger Dales day. The southern ridge can be busy and slippery on shoot days and after rain, so pick your moment and watch your footing on the rock.

Getting there

Horton-in-Ribblesdale is the traditional start for Pen-y-ghent, with a National Park car park and its own railway station on the Settle to Carlisle line. The village is the spiritual home of the Three Peaks challenge, so expect company on a fine weekend. If you want more, this loop extends easily toward Plover Hill to the north, or links into a bigger Ribblesdale day out over Fountains Fell to the south.