Hills: Plover Hill and Pen-y-Ghent
Date: Friday 18th April 2014
Company: Myself, Dave and Tilly
Distance: 15.2km, Ascent: 560m
Time: 4Hrs

En-route to Snowdonia, I took a short detour today to Horton in Ribblesdale for an ascent of Pen-y-Ghent. I have only walked in the Yorkshire Dales once previously when I ascended neighbouring Ingleborough. It was great to undertake the walk today with my friend Dave who met up with myself in Horton in Ribblesdale. We both parked on the road below the railway station where there is free parking.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

From the village we set off along the track leading to Horton Scar, Horton Moor and beyond to Foxup Moor. The weather was fantastic from the outset and remained so throughout the walk.

Looking towards Pen-y-Ghent from Horton Scar track:


I love the geology of the three peaks especially the limestone pavements and incredible potholes.

Track below Horton Scar:


Pen-y-Ghent:


Pen-y-Ghent:


Hull Pot was well worth a visit. The stream that flows into the basin wasn't flowing today. There are apparently 30 recorded climbing routes inside Hull Pot ranging from VDiff to E3.

Hull Pot:


Hull Pot:


We pretty much made up our route as we went along opting to skirt round to Foxup Moor to ascend up the back of Plover Hill.

Pen-y-Ghent panorama:


As we approached the start of the track leading up Plover Hill, a microlite flew above us.

Microlite (zoom):


Tilly at start of track up Plover Hill:


The ascent of Plover Hill was straight-forward. A grassy track up the lower slopes followed by a steeper section of stone steps.

Myself ascending Plover Hill (photo by Dave):


Once above the steep section we followed the wall towards the summit of Plover Hill with a short diversion from the wall to reach the summit cairn.

Walls on Plover Hill with Ingleborough in background:


Looking towards Pen-y-Ghent from Plover Hill:


Summit cairn on Plover Hill:


After a short stop on Plover Hill we continued on to Pen-y-Ghent. The ground between Plover Hill and Pen-y-Ghent was a bit wet in places.

Following the wall to Pen-y-Ghent:


Approaching the summit of Pen-y-Ghent:


The summit of Pen-y-Ghent was very busy today as not only was it a beautiful day it was also Good Friday. The only summit I have seen with more people on it is Ben Nevis.

Busy summit of Pen-y-Ghent:


Dave at the summit of Pen-y-Ghent:


Myself at the summit of Pen-y-Ghent (photo by Dave):


The initial descent from the summit was along a wide pavement of flagstones. Beyond the flagstones a path wound its way down through the crags. We seemed to be the only people today undertaking a clockwise circuit of the hills. Everyone else was going anti-clockwise.

Steep descent from Pen-y-Ghent:


Looking back:


I believe there is a short Classic Rock route somewhere on these crags.

Looking back to Pen-y-Ghent crags:


Looking back to Pen-y-Ghent:


Pen-y-Ghent crags:


Looking back to Pen-y-Ghent:


This was a really enjoyable day out. First sunburn of the year .