Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

We start with tackling Ingleborough, then Whernside, then Pen-y-Ghent, as we walk the circular 25 mile route.

This is intentionally in reverse to the usual route, meaning you’ll often enjoy a ‘quieter’ walk with fewer other groups reaching the summits at the same time as you. However, the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a very popular walking route, so don’t expect to have the peaks to yourself!

Our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Weekend will see the group start and finish the walk from the door of our accommodation, which is really handy!

The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a proper challenge - some say the most formidable walking challenge in Yorkshire! This is a long day with 25 miles to cover, as well as 1,585m (5,200ft) of ascent. It’s important we walk at a good pace to complete the challenge within 12 hours.

You should ensure you have a good level of fitness before embarking on the challenge, comfortable with walking long distances with a good level of ascent and descent. The more training you do, the more enjoyable you’ll find the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

In terms of Large Outdoors experience levels, we grade this walk as Tough (Walking) - see Large Outdoors experience levels here.

The guide determines the pace, based on the group as a whole. They will do their very best to accommodate the speed of the group they are leading, whilst providing the encouragement needed to complete the challenge. The pace might be a little slower or faster than you’re used to but your guide will advise you of the pace required to complete the challenge by the 12-hour deadline.

There are a number of cut-off times and points that your guides will inform you of. If you miss these cut-offs then you will be unable to continue with the challenge - this is for safety and the fairness of the group experience.

When training for the walk, a pace of 3-4 mph (5-6.5 kmph) should be suitable - but don’t forget to include hills on at least some of your training routes!

Your guide will advise you of the pace required throughout the walk to complete within the 12 hours. There are a number of cut-off points and/or times that you must make in order to continue. Your guide reserves the right to ask you to drop out of the walk at a safe point if they are concerned about your ability to complete within the time limit. This is for safety and the fairness of the group experience.

If at any point you feel that you cannot keep up and/or will not be able to complete the challenge, it’s vital you let your guide know as soon as possible. Your safety and that of the group is their paramount concern, so the sooner they know the sooner they can assist.

As per the Compulsory Kit List, it is important that you have money and a mobile phone with you if for any reason you are unable to complete the challenge and need to leave the group - you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to the meeting location/to your accommodation/for onward travel.

Please see our General (Walking) Kit List, which applies to the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed. Failure to attend with all of these items may mean you are unable to take part, as per our Terms & Conditions.

There are toilets (usually 24hr) near the start point, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority car park; what3words///limelight.sharp.pelting. We recommend allowing plenty of time to use these facilities before you meet your Large Outdoors guide, as once you meet your guide it’ll be time to do the safety briefing and set off straight away.

After the first peak, Ingleborough, there’s usually the option to use toilets at a farm shop. The farm shop does charge a small fee to use the toilet or asks that you purchase something from the shop, so please make sure you have some money with you, as per the Compulsory Kit List.

Please note these are independent businesses, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability.

There are no guaranteed stops for water refills or food along the route, so you should bring sufficient water (at least 2-3 litres per person) and plenty of food for the day.

There is a farm shop after the first peak and a refreshments van usually parked where we reach a road after the second peak, but these places are independent businesses, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability.

Always remember: your Large Outdoors guide is there to help you! If you experience any difficulties please let them know as soon as possible.

If you think you are developing a blister, let your guide know and they’ll take a little time to make sure you get a plaster on it and try to advise you on stopping your boots rubbing.

The best way to deal with blisters is always prevention: a good pair of socks (or two - spare socks are a luxury worth having on a big challenge walk!) and a pair of boots that are already worn-in. The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is not the place to break-in a new pair of boots, so make sure you take them out for several good training walks before the big day.

All of our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenges are guided and undertaken as a group. This is part of the experience and we hope you have a fantastic time.

We strongly recommend that you stay with the group and your guide throughout the challenge.

If you choose to leave the group, our guide will advise you that you are leaving the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge organised by Large Outdoors and we will therefore not be responsible for your wellbeing going forward.

As good practice, your guide may ask you to contact them by text message when you have returned to your car/accommodation. However, your guide cannot be your ‘emergency contact’, so you must notify a trusted third-party of your intentions so they can contact the emergency services if you do not report in at an advised time.

As per our Compulsory Kit List, we ask you to ensure you have a mobile phone and money with you.

Parking in Horton in Ribbleshead is pay-and-display, so you’ll need cash/card to pay for vehicle parking.

There may be an opportunity on the route to use a toilet, but this requires a purchase to be made, or small charge to be paid, to support a local business.

Also, if for any reason you are unable to complete the challenge and need to leave the group, you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to the meeting location/to your accommodation/for onward travel. Taking a mix of cash and a card is advised.

If, for any reason, you leave the group, we ask that you contact your guide by text message when you have returned to your car/accommodation as a courtesy.

Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a mobile phone with you when you’re exploring the outdoors, just in case of emergency. There’s usually a good signal in Horton-in-Ribblesdale and at each of the summits. In between the peaks there often isn’t a signal, or it’s very patchy if you can find one.