Pen-y-ghent from Horton to Ribblehead
Walk 5 - By car/train or train: Horton to Ribblehead via Pen-y-ghent (694m) - 10.5 miles - 5 hours- Map reading and some route finding is essential on this one although the paths are well used as part of the Three Peaks Walk! Back to Ribblehead
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| Horton Church | Pen-y-ghent from Horton path |
From the railway
station walk through the village and leave Horton along the main road
towards Settle. After passing the church take 2nd left hand turn (beyond
stream) along minor road to Brackenbottom (½ mile) and then turn left
up signposted and well defined footpath to top of Pen-y-ghent passing
through a few stiles until the crest of the hill is reach. Turn sharp
left to follow an even steeper path which zig-zags to the summit of Pen-y-Ghent.
Leave the summit passing through the stile and follow the well surfaced
path to a gate at the bottom of the hill.
At this point a short detour can be made to reach Hull Pot which is 1/4 mile to the right [along the wide grassy path] and an impressive feature.If visiting in Hull Pot it is possible to turn left and free range over the open pasture to Whitber and Jackdaw Hills rejoining the route described below.
Othewise proceed directly uphill along a grassy path (shown as dotted black line on map). Continue straight on over Whitber Hill bearing slightly left at top of hill and onwards with Jackdaw Hill on the right until 'T' junction with track is reached (1 mile). Turn right and follow the Pennine Way for 1 mile. Soon after Red Moss Pot take the left hand path through stile in wall (shown as dotted black line on map) to reach High Birkwith ( ¾ mile)
After crossing a vehicle track bear slightly left to cross stream on a plank bridge followed Gods Bridge where the water course disappear momentarily under the path. Continue onwards through a gate to reach the new footbridge at the rear of Nether Lodge Farm (¾ mile).
An alternative route here is to follow the vehicle tack to Lodge Hall and up to the Settle - Ribblehead main road and then on to Ribblehead. This has the disadvantage of a long road section. Otherwise take the route as described below which takes in the attractive Thorns Gill ravine but involves a little more in the way of route finding.
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| The path up Penyghent | Penyghent trig point |
After leaving Nether Lodge keep to the right of the vehicle track initially signposted. The path climbs uphill and crosses a fence on a stile. At this point take note of a barn in the distance and take as direct line as possible.
The path descends across open pasture crossing two streams and a boggy area rising over a small hill and through a gate at the far corner. The path then proceeds to reach the aforementioned barn. Pass through the stile and turn right to the rear of the barn, continuing over the hillside and down to the deserted hamlet of Thorns. Pass between the farm buildings and turn left along the walled track. Proceed along the now open sided track approaching Thorns Gill which is on the right. The track descends slightly and the precarious stone bridge over the ravine comes into view. Take care across the bridge with small children as there is no handrail. Carry on over the top of the hill and across the pasture to reach a gate and then diagonally left to reach the main Hawes road at Gearstones. Turn left and continue to Ribblehead.
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| Bridge at Thorns Gill | Barn at Thorns hamlet |
Important note:- Whilst the author has taken every care in assembling the information on this site, no responsibility can be accepted for any error or omission herein. If in any doubt walkers should always consult the relevant OS map. All timings are approximate and for a person of average fitness and ability.
©John Carey 2010
This page was last updated on 13-May-2020