Category: Yorkshire

Ingleborough

7 of The Best Day Walks In Yorkshire

Posted on | by Simon Ogunlana
Take on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge | Book now

Are you looking for an outdoor adventure? If yes, then Yorkshire is the perfect place to go.

With its rolling hills, stunning coastline, and rugged moors, there’s plenty to explore in this beautiful part of England. What better way to experience it all than by going on a day walk? Here are seven of the best day walks in Yorkshire that will leave you wanting more.

If you’re looking for a great way to enjoy the English countryside, consider going on one of the many amazing day walks in Yorkshire.

There’s something for everyone in this picturesque region, from gentle hikes through rolling hills and past quaint villages, to more strenuous climbs up imposing mountain ranges.

If you’re looking for a great way to enjoy the English countryside, consider going on one of the many amazing day walks in Yorkshire.

There’s something for everyone in this picturesque region, from gentle hikes through rolling hills and past quaint villages, to more strenuous climbs up imposing mountain ranges.

Walking in Yorkshire

1 Ingleborough

Ingleborough is a mountain located in North Yorkshire, England. At 2,375 feet (723 m), it is the highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales.

 The mountain is made of Carboniferous Limestone, and is one of the most popular peaks in the area for climbers.

The mountain is also a popular destination for day hikers. The easy-to-follow footpaths make it a great choice for beginners, and there are plenty of stunning views to be enjoyed along the way.

The summit can be reached via a number of different routes, so there’s something to suit everyone. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can always try your hand at the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge!

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Time Taken: 6 hours (17km)

Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Ingleborough here.

2 Buckden Pike

 Buckden Pike is a popular day walk in Yorkshire that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

 The walk starts at the village of Buckden, located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. From there, it’s a short but steep climb up to the summit of Buckden Pike, which stands at an impressive 1,493 feet (455 meters).

From the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the Yorkshire Dales, as well as the Forest of Bowland and the Lake District.

The return journey takes hikers past the lovely Stocks Reservoir, before finishing back in.

Difficulty Level: Challenging

Time Taken: 3 hours (11km)

Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Buckden Pike here.

3 James Herriot Way

The James Herriot Way starts in the town of Thirsk and takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in Yorkshire.

The route follows a section of the York-to-Liverpool railway line and passes through the villages of Carlton Husthwaite, Carlton Miniott, Sessay, and North Stainley.

Highlights of the walk include the picturesque Sessay Waterfall, the impressive ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, and the lovely North Stainley Viaduct.

 The James Herriot Way is a great walk for all abilities, with most of the route being easy to follow and suitable for hikers of all levels.

The only strenuous part of the walk is the climb up to North Stainley Viaduct, which is over a 20-meter high hill. However, this section of the walk isn’t very long and can easily be handled by even the most novice hikers.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Time Taken: 2.5 hours (10km)

Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for the James Herriot way here.

4 Upper Wharfedale

Upper Wharfedale is one of the most beautiful areas in Yorkshire, and it’s no wonder that it’s a popular destination for day hikers.

This picturesque valley is located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and it’s home to some of the most stunning scenery in England.

The Upper Wharfedale Valley is a long and narrow limestone ravine that stretches from its starting point at Malham Tarn to the village of Buckden.

The walking trails here are varied and interesting, taking hikers past waterfalls, limestone cliffs, and rolling hills.

There’s also plenty of wildlife to be seen, including deer, wild sheep, and peregrine falcons.

Difficulty Level: Challenging

Time Taken: 3 hours (12km)

Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Upper Wharfedale here.

5 Ilkley Moor and the Twelve Apostles

If you’re looking for a fantastic day walk in Yorkshire, look no further than Ilkley Moor and the Twelve Apostles.

This stunning hike takes you through some of the most picturesque scenery in the region, with rolling hills, beautiful forests, and awe-inspiring cliffs.

The hike starts at the Cow and Calf rocks, a set of limestone outcrops that are popular among climbers. From there, it’s a gentle walk to the top of Ilkley Moor, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

After taking in the views from Ilkley Moor, the hike continues on to the Twelve Apostles. These imposing cliffs are a sight to behold and provide excellent opportunities for stunning photographs.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Time Taken: 1.75 hours (7km)

Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for Ilkley Moor here.

6 Bronte Country

Bronte Country is a beautiful area in Yorkshire that is perfect for a day walk. It’s located in the north of the county and is named after the Bronte sisters, who were born and raised in the area.

There are plenty of trails to choose from, and most of them are relatively easy, making it an excellent option for novice hikers.

The Bronte Way is a popular route that takes you past many famous Bronte landmarks, including Top Withens, the ruin where Wuthering Heights was set.

The walk is about 10km long and can be completed in a day. If you’re looking for something a bit shorter, there’s also the Bronte Parsonage Museum Walk, which takes you past various Bronte historical sites.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Time Taken: 3.25 hours (10 km)

Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for the bronte way here.

7 Sutton Bank Linear Walk

Sutton Bank is a National Trust property located in North Yorkshire, England. It’s a beautiful spot for a day walk, with stunning views of the Vale of York and the North York Moors.

The walk starts at the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre and winds its way along the cliff edge, past ancient woodland and meadows full of wildflowers. 

There’s also an option to do a circular walk (the white horse walk) if you have the time or energy! 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Time Taken: 0.75 hours (3 km)

Route information: You can find Ordnance Survey route information for the Sutton bank linear walk here.

If you’re looking for a walking experience in Yorkshire to remember, make sure to check out the seven stunning walks we’ve listed in this article – get your backpack ready and your walking boots on to explore some of the best day walks Yorkshire has to offer.

Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge – How Long Does It Take

Posted on | by Simon Ogunlana

Contents

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge

Known for many things including; The Bronte Sisters, Yorkshire puddings, arguably the best tea in the world and more importantly for us the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.

A gruelling 26 mile circular route taking in the 3 highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales all with the aim of completing it within 12 hours.

Whichever way you look at this challenge it is a beast of a day and more importantly an awesome day out!

You can expect your day to start early and at some times of the year before the sun rises.

The traditional starting point at the Pen-y-ghent Café where, you could once clock in at the and out at the start/end to register your time sits in the picturesque Yorkshire village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

From here you will start the ascent of the first peak, Pen-y-ghent and finish the last some 10-12 hours later.

If you are feeling particularly fresh on the day you come to take on the challenge you could look to target the record time of 2 hours and 46 minutes but most settle for a good few hours more.

Take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge | Book now

Yorkshire 3 Peaks 2024 – Book now

The route

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks is circular so unlike the National 3 Peaks requires no driving.

You will walk the 26 mile route over the 3 Peaks starting with Pen-y-ghent, then onto Whernside and finally finishing with Ingleborough.

It doesn’t stop just there though, after reaching the summit of Ingleborough you still have a few more miles to reach the end point in Horton-in-Ribblesdale where you started some time earlier that day.

Although the peaks themselves are not huge in height they collectively form a big ascent, descent and added to the distance make for a quality day on the hill.

The first peak – Pen-y-ghent (694m)

Pen-y-ghent is arguably the most exciting of the 3 as it rises quickly out of the village, heads over limestone exposed fields and eventually ends with a short scramble to reach the summit.

A steep descent and then over lots of fields and managed paths heading towards the Ribblehead viaduct.

The second peak – Whernside (763m)

At the viaduct, Whernside, the highest of the 3 mountains has a long drawn out summit.

You start the walk alongside incredible viaduct and handrail the famous Settle to Carlisle railway line before crossing it and starting the main ascent of the mountain.

The ascent is simply a long walk to the summit path but the views back to Pen-y-ghent are amazing on a good day.

There isn’t really a summit as such but a triangulation pillar marck the highest point.

Whernside Summit at 763m

The third peak – Ingleborough (723m)

Ingleborough is the last in the line before your final descent.

The ever changing route along the challenge now takes you across the boardwalks before a short sharp ascent onto the rocky plateau.

he summit can be found at the far end of the plateau and the views reach out toward the Lake District and the West coast of England. At the right time of day it’s simply breath taking.

With whatever energy you have left it’s time to start the descent back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale to complete your challenge.

The path down is gentle working its way through the limestone pavement and often cattle filled farmer’s fields before crossing the railway to the finish line.

Ingleborough at 723m

Training for the Yorkshire 3 Peaks

You will want to have done some training for this event.

Most people have never walked for sustained long periods of time and finding out on the day that you’re not quite ready for what Yorkshire has to offer would be a shame.

Some long distance walks in particular before you take on the challenge are a real must as a 26 mile walk on uneven possibly wet, uneven and often slippy terrain can be tough if you are not used to it.

Walking, cycling and even swimming are good ways to improve your fitness for events like this.

Be prepared for all weather conditions on the Yorkshire Three Peaks

The weather

One has to remember this is Yorkshire and to be prepared for literally every season in 1 day and a mixture of terrain from picking your way through the limestone pavement to scrambling up the side of a rocky mountain.

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks has something for everyone whatever your preferred terrain and weather.

In addition on a good day, the mountains give ever changing views as far as the west coast, the Howgills and the Lake District.

A particular special time of day is the sun setting out to the west whilst reaching the final summit of Ingleborough.

Ben Nevis - The National 3 Peaks

So which one is for you? The National 3 Peaks or the Yorkshire 3 Peaks?

Well that’s not a simple question really as they are both two very different challenges.

Yes the National 3 Peaks includes bigger mountains with greater ascents but the collective time spent on the mountains can be in fact not much longer than the time spent walking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.

People often try to compare the two events but the simple answer is they are different.

A potential 12 hours of constant walking verses 5 hours then a big break and then another 4 hours followed by another break etc.

The transport element of the National also takes its toll on people after a quick ascent of Ben Nevis for example.

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks throws an incredible amount of walking at you in one go whereas the National 3 Peaks gives sleep deprivation, mountains in the dead of night and long bus journeys.

Take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge | Book now
Take on the National Three Peaks Challenge | Book now

Book a trek with Mountaineerin

  • Yorkshire 3 Peaks – For more information about the Yorkshire Three Peaks visit our trip page. Bookings on request, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
  • National Three Peaks – We are running several ‘open challenges’ through the year which means you can join a group. For private or corporate group trips please contact us.

Happy Trekking!

Simon