The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Route & Itinerary
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge is a 39.2km (24.5-mile) circular route from Horton-in-Ribblesdale over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, traditionally completed within 12 hours – here’s the recommended itinerary, hour by hour.
Route Overview
The Recommended Route
We recommend an early start to give everyone the best chance of completing the 39.2km (24.5-mile) route in good time and daylight. The Challenge traditionally has a 12-hour time limit, so be prepared to finish at around 7:00–7:30pm.
The route can be started from several points and walked clockwise or anti-clockwise. We recommend the traditional itinerary below: starting at 7:00am from Horton-in-Ribblesdale and walking anti-clockwise — Pen-y-ghent first, then Whernside, and finally Ingleborough — before returning to Horton. The timings below are approximate and will vary with group pace and weather conditions.
The Route at a Glance
Distance | 39.2km / 24.5 miles |
Total ascent | ~1,600m |
Time limit | 12 hours (traditional) |
Start & finish | Horton-in-Ribblesdale (BD24 0HE) |
Recommended direction | Anti-clockwise |
Order of peaks | Pen-y-ghent → Whernside → Ingleborough |
Typical day | 7:00am start, finish around 7:00pm |
Key stops | Ribblehead Viaduct (lunch), Philpin Farm (break) |
Hour-by-hour Intinerary
Times are approximate
6:45am | Meet at Horton-in-Ribblesdale for introductions and a safety briefing. |
7:00am | Set off towards Pen-y-ghent, the first peak. |
8:30am* | Summit Pen-y-ghent (694m). Then a long stretch of around 12km over Horton Moor towards Whernside. |
11:00am* | Reach the famous Ribblehead Viaduct for a well-earned 20-minute lunch and refreshment stop. |
11:20am | Set off from the viaduct towards Whernside. |
2:30pm* | Summit Whernside (736m), the highest peak. Descend towards Chapel-le-Dale with a 15-minute break at Philpin Farm (café open 1 May – 1 Oct; toilets and a vending machine available year-round), then cross the B6255 to begin Ingleborough. |
2:45pm | Set off from Philpin Farm towards Ingleborough. |
4:30pm* | Summit Ingleborough (723m), the final peak. Around 2.5 hours to descend back to the start. |
7:00pm* | Aim to complete the Challenge back at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. |
*Approximate. Actual timings vary with the speed of the group, the weather and conditions on the day.
Start Points & Direction
Where you can start
The Yorkshire Three Peaks can be started from Horton-in-Ribblesdale (BD24 0HE), Chapel-le-Dale (LA6 3AR) or Ribblehead (LA6 3AS), and walked in either direction. We recommend starting and finishing at Horton-in-Ribblesdale and walking anti-clockwise — Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, then Ingleborough — which spreads the climbs evenly across the day and brings you back to the village at the finish.
Route & Itinerary - Your Questions Answered
A 39.2km (24.5-mile) circular route over Pen-y-ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m), usually starting and finishing at Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
It is traditionally completed within 12 hours. A typical guided day starts at 7:00am and finishes back at Horton around 7:00pm.
We recommend an early 7:00am start from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to make the most of the daylight.
Anti-clockwise from Horton: Pen-y-ghent first, then Whernside, and finally Ingleborough.
There is a lunch stop at the Ribblehead Viaduct and a break at Philpin Farm, where toilets and a vending machine are available year-round and a café is open from 1 May to 1 October.
Yes. The route can be started from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Chapel-le-Dale or Ribblehead, and walked clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Ready to walk the route?
Join a guided Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge and let an expert leader take care of the navigation and timings. Then get it booked!