Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge – Guided Day Walk

3 peaks. 25 miles. 12 hours. Challenge yourself to take on the exhilarating Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge!


Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 25 miles (40.2km)
Duration:
12 hour challenge - most groups complete this walk in 10-12 hours
Level: Tough (Walking) - see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Complete an awesome challenge - 3 peaks and 25 miles in 12 hours! - with a supportive group of fellow outdoors-lovers.

  • Immerse yourself in some of the finest views in the Yorkshire Dales - there’s not a dull moment on this walk.

  • Feel safe and supported by your qualified and experienced Large Outdoors guide.


 

Book today…

Suggested Itinerary

Join this open-group, guided Yorkshire Three Peaks day walk to take on one of the UK’s most popular three-peaks routes in a safe, supportive, and feel-good way. You’ll walk with a group of friendly fellow challengers and first-aid certified, experienced Large Outdoors guide, who’ll do all the navigation, leaving you free to immerse yourself in this incredible experience and enjoy panoramic views from the summits over the Dales, to as far as Morecombe Bay, the Lakes, and beyond.

We start from Horton-in-Ribblesdale with Ingleborough (723m/2,372ft) as the first peak, then Whernside 736m/(2415ft), then Pen-y-Ghent (694m/2,277ft). This route, handily, begins with a good leg-loosener as you set out along a fairly easy gradient for three miles with the distinctive anvil shape of Ingleborough, the first peak, in your sights. Gradually you’ll gain height as you follow the snaking route upwards. The summit offers panoramic views across the Dales and on to Morecambe Bay and the Lakes.

Then you’ll begin your second ascent to Yorkshire’s Everest – Whernside. This hulk of a hill again provides lovely views. As you descend the reasonably easy slope you’ll be able to see across to the Ribblehead Viaduct, perhaps marvelling at the skills of the engineers and the sheer grit of the 2,000+ workers that built the structure back in the 1800s.

In fact, the viaduct is a half-way milestone, before you begin the long low level stage along tracks and field paths towards our final peak of Pen-y-Ghent. After the summit, there is just a short but steep descent and a final wander across some fields back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

This is a fantastic and tough 12-hour walk that’s perfectly achievable for walkers with a reasonable level of fitness and some determination. It’s also a great option for a fundraising challenge. Most of the route is on mountain paths and lowland tracks, with one section of road walking. There are steep sections and steps on each of the hills.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: 6:30am

    Meeting Location:
    Horton in Ribblesdale

    Settle

    North Yorkshire
    
BD24 0HE

    We meet beside the footbridge, next to the two road bridges, near the Crown Hotel. If you park in the National Park ‘Gray Bridge’ car park (pay-and-display), head past the toilets and cross the footbridge - your Large Outdoors guide will be waiting there. See our exact meeting location here (view in Satellite mode).

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    Parking: Please do not park on the road in front of residents’ houses. The closest car park to the meeting location is the National Park ‘Gray Bridge’ car park, BD24 0HE (what3words///skins.chromatic.airfields), which costs £5 (up to 12 hours) per vehicle - pay by cash or contactless. An additional pay-and-display car park is available in summer months should this one be full.

    Public Transport: Horton-in-Ribblesdale Train Station has services to/from Carlisle and Leeds, but the early start and timetables generally require an overnight stay.

  • Included:

    • A qualified and experienced Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your walk.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not Included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Any food, drinks or gCompulsory Kit Listoods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited. We do not provide water or food on this day experience - please see our Compulsory Kit List for what you need to bring, as well as the FAQs below.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our General (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

  • "This was my first experience within the Yorkshire Dales and what a way to see it! I really enjoyed the enduring test of the challenge as it pushed me to my limits. It has taught me with much grit and determination I can achieve great things!
    The group I was with were all fantastic too, everyone did so well and I made some great friends along the way, it’s always good to meet new people and share experiences together. A big shout out to our guide for keeping us all motivated, watching over us and showing us the way. Great job!" Kiran

    “Wow, the whole event brilliant! This was one of the hardness events I have ever undertaken! The group leader was exceptional, well done.” Kevin

    “Our guide was excellent, there was a mixed level of age and fitness in our group and he supported everyone.” Verified participant

    “I loved the whole experience. Our guide was fantastic, really supportive with a kind, gentle manner whilst encouraging and assessing situations, very knowledgeable. I had complete faith and would highly recommend.” Verified participant

    “Well organised. Guides were amazing, made it enjoyable with their knowledge and banter. The communication before the event was perfect as well with all questions answered.” Verified participant

    “The sense of achievement for completing this walk was great. The guide was amazing and lead the group brilliantly - helping everyone feel included and managing the pace and inclusivity for each member very well.” Mike

    “We've done a few organised walks - this was by far the best one we've done. It was a brilliant experience. I enjoyed the challenge, walking all day, meeting a new group of people. I really like doing a long walk without having to worry about navigating and timing.” Verified participant

    “Our guide was great, he was very friendly and had bucketloads of encouragement. He was also very knowledgable of the area and wildlife. It was great that he set the pace and kept us on track as it meant that we didn't have to worry about falling behind and not completing the challenge. He was so patient, kind and considerate.” Gemma

    “Our leader for the day was excellent. We felt confident with her leadership & she created a relaxed & friendly atmosphere and was caring & helpful at the trickier points of the walk. Great walk & good company.” Jacqui

    “Thank you for setting us up with some amazing guides, they really helped us all to complete the challenge!” Elisabeth

    “A fantastic guide, we felt super safe, brilliant knowledge of the walk and supported us to complete the challenge.” Julie

    "I just wanted to msg to say what a fabulous time we had doing the three peaks challenge. Our guide was amazing and very informative and a great bunch of people in our group !
    We have all remained in touch with each other so friendships were made too. So much fun. Thanks so much." Jackie, Dianne and Lynda  

 

Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Weekend

Join Large Outdoors for an enjoyable and sociable weekend tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Our package offers meals, a guided and fully supported challenge walk, plus two nights of accommodation in a venue right on the route, allowing you to start your walk directly from the door.

Yorkshire Three Peaks - Frequently Asked Questions:

  • We start with tackling Ingleborough, then Whernside, then Pen-y-Ghent, as we walk the circular 25 mile route.

    This is intentionally in reverse to the usual route, meaning you’ll often enjoy a ‘quieter’ walk with fewer other groups reaching the summits at the same time as you. However, the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a very popular walking route, so don’t expect to have the peaks to yourself!

    Our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Weekend will see the group start and finish the walk from the door of our accommodation, which is really handy!

  • The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a proper challenge - some say the most formidable walking challenge in Yorkshire! This is a long day with 25 miles to cover, as well as 1,585m (5,200ft) of ascent. It’s important we walk at a good pace to complete the challenge within 12 hours.

    You should ensure you have a good level of fitness before embarking on the challenge, comfortable with walking long distances with a good level of ascent and descent. The more training you do, the more enjoyable you’ll find the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

    In terms of Large Outdoors experience levels, we grade this walk as Tough (Walking) - see Large Outdoors experience levels here.

  • The guide determines the pace, based on the group as a whole. They will do their very best to accommodate the speed of the group they are leading, whilst providing the encouragement needed to complete the challenge. The pace might be a little slower or faster than you’re used to but your guide will advise you of the pace required to complete the challenge by the 12-hour deadline.

    There are a number of cut-off times and points that your guides will inform you of. If you miss these cut-offs then you will be unable to continue with the challenge - this is for safety and the fairness of the group experience.

    When training for the walk, a pace of 3-4 mph (5-6.5 kmph) should be suitable - but don’t forget to include hills on at least some of your training routes!

  • Your guide will advise you of the pace required throughout the walk to complete within the 12 hours. There are a number of cut-off points and/or times that you must make in order to continue. Your guide reserves the right to ask you to drop out of the walk at a safe point if they are concerned about your ability to complete within the time limit. This is for safety and the fairness of the group experience.

    If at any point you feel that you cannot keep up and/or will not be able to complete the challenge, it’s vital you let your guide know as soon as possible. Your safety and that of the group is their paramount concern, so the sooner they know the sooner they can assist.

    As per the Compulsory Kit List, it is important that you have money and a mobile phone with you if for any reason you are unable to complete the challenge and need to leave the group - you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to the meeting location/to your accommodation/for onward travel.

  • Please see our General (Walking) Kit List, which applies to the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed. Failure to attend with all of these items may mean you are unable to take part, as per our Terms & Conditions.

  • There are toilets (usually 24hr) near the start point, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority car park; what3words///limelight.sharp.pelting. We recommend allowing plenty of time to use these facilities before you meet your Large Outdoors guide, as once you meet your guide it’ll be time to do the safety briefing and set off straight away.

    After the first peak, Ingleborough, there’s usually the option to use toilets at a farm shop. The farm shop does charge a small fee to use the toilet or asks that you purchase something from the shop, so please make sure you have some money with you, as per the Compulsory Kit List.

    Please note these are independent businesses, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability.

  • There are no guaranteed stops for water refills or food along the route, so you should bring sufficient water (at least 2-3 litres per person) and plenty of food for the day.

    There is a farm shop after the first peak and a refreshments van usually parked where we reach a road after the second peak, but these places are independent businesses, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability.

  • Always remember: your Large Outdoors guide is there to help you! If you experience any difficulties please let them know as soon as possible.

    If you think you are developing a blister, let your guide know and they’ll take a little time to make sure you get a plaster on it and try to advise you on stopping your boots rubbing.

    The best way to deal with blisters is always prevention: a good pair of socks (or two - spare socks are a luxury worth having on a big challenge walk!) and a pair of boots that are already worn-in. The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is not the place to break-in a new pair of boots, so make sure you take them out for several good training walks before the big day.

  • All of our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenges are guided and undertaken as a group. This is part of the experience and we hope you have a fantastic time.

    We strongly recommend that you stay with the group and your guide throughout the challenge.

    If you choose to leave the group, our guide will advise you that you are leaving the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge organised by Large Outdoors and we will therefore not be responsible for your wellbeing going forward.

    As good practice, your guide may ask you to contact them by text message when you have returned to your car/accommodation. However, your guide cannot be your ‘emergency contact’, so you must notify a trusted third-party of your intentions so they can contact the emergency services if you do not report in at an advised time.

  • As per our Compulsory Kit List, we ask you to ensure you have a mobile phone and money with you.

    Parking in Horton in Ribbleshead is pay-and-display, so you’ll need cash/card to pay for vehicle parking.

    There may be an opportunity on the route to use a toilet, but this requires a purchase to be made, or small charge to be paid, to support a local business.

    Also, if for any reason you are unable to complete the challenge and need to leave the group, you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to the meeting location/to your accommodation/for onward travel. Taking a mix of cash and a card is advised.

    If, for any reason, you leave the group, we ask that you contact your guide by text message when you have returned to your car/accommodation as a courtesy.

    Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a mobile phone with you when you’re exploring the outdoors, just in case of emergency. There’s usually a good signal in Horton-in-Ribblesdale and at each of the summits. In between the peaks there often isn’t a signal, or it’s very patchy if you can find one.

  • Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs (with prior agreement from us).

    If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the activity and any additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

Fancy this as your charity challenge?

Why walk with a guide?

Walking with a guide is an enjoyable, inspiring experience that helps you get the most out of your adventures.

Tackling a mountain isn’t something many of us do often, so we always recommend doing so with an experienced, qualified guide.

Why?

Well, our guides are expert navigators with in-depth knowledge of the routes. They understand the weather conditions and can decide the safest course of action should the weather change. Our guides are first-aid certified and know how to handle unexpected emergency situations.

Our guides will pace the walk, helping you travel at a comfortable pace while providing encouragement.

Want to Hire a Guide for an exclusive Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge? - a great option for a charity challenge or fundraiser, big birthday celebration or just a memorable outdoorsy day with your own group.

 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.