Pen-y-ghent Mountain
Limestone hill in Yorkshire, popular for three-peaks hikes
One of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Pen‑y‑ghent offers limestone ridges, dry valleys and well‑trodden walking routes favored by day hikers and ridge scramblers.
Pen-y-ghent at a Glance#
Address: Pen-y-ghent, Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire, England
Website: https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/
Admission: Free
About Pen-y-ghent#
Pen-y-ghent is a fell in the Yorkshire Dales of northern England that rises to 694 metres above sea level and is one of the three classic Yorkshire Three Peaks. The summit is a prominent, free-standing hill with well-used footpaths.
Hikers follow distinct routes to the summit from Horton-in-Ribblesdale and surrounding valleys; panoramic views extend across the Dales on clear days. The hill is commonly walked as part of the Three Peaks challenge, which links it with Ingleborough and Whernside on a long circular route.
Geologically the hill is formed from Carboniferous limestone and millstone grit and shows features created by past glacial and fluvial action. The eastern slopes include sink-holes and limestone pavement that are of interest to walkers and naturalists.
Pen-y-ghent sits in the Yorkshire Dales National Park near the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale and is accessible from nearby market towns in North Yorkshire.
- Three Peaks challenge: Part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, normally combined with Ingleborough and Whernside for a roughly 24-mile circular walk with about 1,500 metres of total ascent.
- Safety note: Summit routes are popular year-round but winter conditions can make paths, exposed sections and the plateau hazardous without appropriate gear.
How to Get to Pen-y-ghent#
Pen-y-ghent is reachable via Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station on the Settle-Carlisle Line; the walk to the summit from the station is approximately 2-3 km to the start of the main path. By car, park in Horton-in-Ribblesdale village and follow signed footpaths into the Dales.
Tips for Visiting Pen-y-ghent#
- Start from Horton-in-Ribblesdale station for the classic 3-4 hour circular route (allow more if exploring side paths).
- Walk clockwise for more gradual ascents and the classic view of the Ribblehead viaduct on the return stretch.
- Avoid the fell in high wind - exposed sections get brutally gusty and weather can change rapidly.
Best Time to Visit Pen-y-ghent#
Best in late spring through autumn for accessible paths and the fullest range of hiking conditions; winter requires proper mountain kit and navigation skills.
Weather & Climate near Pen-y-ghent#
Pen-y-ghent's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1891 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -1° - 4° | -5° | 206 mm | overcast | 95% | 8.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | -1° - 4° | -4° | 143 mm | overcast | 94% | 8.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 167 mm | overcast | 90% | 7.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Poor | 1° - 9° | 1° | 114 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Poor | 4° - 12° | 5° | 109 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 15.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 111 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.9h |
| July | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 122 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.4h |
| August | Acceptable | 9° - 16° | 13° | 146 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Poor | 7° - 13° | 10° | 161 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 4° - 10° | 3° | 196 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 207 mm | overcast | 94% | 7.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 0° - 5° | -3° | 209 mm | overcast | 95% | 7.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
