Pen-y-ghent from Horton in Ribblesdale.

Start. Horton in Ribblesdale.

Route. Horton in Ribblesdale - Brackenbottom - Brackenbottom Scar - Gavel Rigg - Pen-y-ghent - Pen-y-ghent Pinnacle - Hunt Pot - Hull Pot - Horton Scar Lane - Horton in Ribblesdale.

Notes. Seen from almost every direction Pen-y-ghent is a most shapely and attractive mountain, some would say it looks like the upturned hull of a ship. Along with Whernside and Ingleborough it makes up the Three Peaks Challenge, a 25 mile yomp around the head of Ribblesdale. My challenge today was one peak. Horton in Ribblesdale is the site of countless pairs of boots being pulled on, bags thrown onto backs and eager walkers excited to hit the trail, the place has a real walkers atmosphere. With eager three peaks walkers all around I felt a little underwhelmed lacing my boots only being on a one peak challenge, but I wouldn't be crawling back thoroughly knackered at the end of the day..

Seven in the morning and the place was bouncing, all the road side parking was taken, I managed to grab the only empty space in the car park. After paying the parking fee I headed south through the village. Once passed the Golden Lion and St Oswald’s Church Horton Bridge greeted me, I crossed said bridge then immediately turned left entering the lane to Brackenbottom, with Douk Ghyll to my left I wandered up the lane to the first building at Brackenbottom.

Next to the barn and farmhouse a finger-post points uphill promising passage to Pen-y-ghent, through fields I climbed, over limestone scarps. Gates allowed for easy crossing of field boundaries, the final gate deposited me on the Pennine Way directly under the nose of the hill. The ascent was steep, first over a limestone scarp, hands on in places then into a jumble of grit stone boulders, I needed to use my hands again to scramble over the grit stone cap that gives the hill it’s distinctive shape. Once over the cap an easy ascent followed to the summit, which was packed with three peaks walkers.

I hung around but as one party left another arrived, so I departed via the main path, when the path turned sharp left I turned right, a short diversion deposited me at a finger of rock most walkers miss, Pen-y-ghent Pinnacle, I then doubled back to continue my descent. After passing through a gate a faint path ushered me to Hunt Pot, just off the main trod this is another gem most walkers miss, just don’t get too close to the edge. The stream that entered the evil looking slit falls 200ft into the cave system below.

Back on the main trod I continued descending to the head of Horton Scar Lane (stoney track), but before passing through the gate another small diversion was called for. A green way leads through a small boggy valley terminating at a massive chasm in the heart of the moorland, this is Hull Pot and shouldn’t be missed. After heavy weather Hull Pot Beck spills into the void, unfortunately today it was dry. After a wander around the pot I headed back down the valley to the gate allowing access to Horton Scar Lane, with the stoney track under foot I descended back into the village, which was as busy as when I left it earlier.

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home.

Approaching Brackenbottom Scar looking to Pen-y-ghent.

Viewing Moughton with the hills of Bowland across the horizon.

Rearing up out of Silverdale Fountains Fell, the name  derives from ownership of the land in the 13th century by the Cistercian monks of Fountains Abbey, 25 miles to the east near Ripon.

Walkers ascend the steep limestone scarp, my turn next.

Adapting the pace of the mountain, so I've stopped for another rest, enjoying views over Gavel Rigg.

A slice of the picturesque, field of grit stone boulders guarding the summit plateau.

Stunning views from the ascent of Pen-y-ghent.

From the summit at the end of a heart thumping climb views to Langcliffe Scar and the community of Settle, with Pendle Hill melting into the horizon.

Filling the frame Fountains Fell.

Adventures for another day, the flat top of Ingleborough.

Shining levels.

Missed by most walkers Pen-y-ghent Pinnacle.

From Pen-y-ghent Pinnacle views over Cosh Outside.

Looking down on the massive gash of Hull Pot, the pool I suspect is a dew pond, but I also suspect I could be completely wrong.

Dappled light on Whitbar Hill with Ingleborough across the skyline.

Hunt Pot, this evil looking slit drops 200ft straight down into the cave system below.

Hull Pot with Pen-y-ghent behind.

The dry stream bed of Hull Pot Beck.

Horton Scar Lane.

As seen from Horton Scar Lane Pen-y-ghent.

Also seen from Horton Scar Lane, across dappled moorland and limestone scarps Plover Hill.

Ruined barn in Horton Scar Lane.

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