The 20 Most Amazing Peaks around Ingleton

The Ingleton area is renowned for its access to the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Among the most popular are Pen-y-Ghent, known for its incredible views and scrambling sections; Ingleborough summit, offering magnificent panoramic views and historical significance with its Iron Age fort; and Whernside Summit, the highest of the three, providing expansive views over the Dales.

Yes, for a more accessible option, Drumaldrace Summit Cairn is considered an easy climb with wonderful views, making it suitable for families. While the main Three Peaks can be challenging, routes to their summits can be adapted, and the area also offers other less strenuous walks.

The Ingleborough summit is particularly rich in history, featuring the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. An ascent of Ingleborough offers an exploration into the history of the Dales' people and landscape, characterized by its unique geological layers.

All the major peaks offer spectacular views. From Ingleborough summit, you can see across Morecambe Bay, to the Lakeland Fells, and its fellow Three Peaks. Whernside Summit provides wonderful views over the Yorkshire Dales, and on clear days, you might even spot Blackpool Tower. Little Ingleborough summit cairn also offers a fine vantage point to view the main Ingleborough summit and wide-reaching views of Ribblesdale.

Beyond peak bagging, the Ingleton area is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous road cycling routes, including loops around the Ribblehead Viaduct. There are also fantastic waterfall hikes, such as the popular Five Waterfalls loop. For runners, several running trails offer challenging terrain, including routes that incorporate the summits of Ingleborough and Whernside.

While all three peaks present a challenge, Whernside Summit is often considered the easiest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks to climb. Despite being the highest, its incline is generally steadier, making the ascent less strenuous for some hikers.

Pen-y-Ghent, while the smallest of the Three Peaks, features decent paths alongside sections that require some scrambling. It's often the first summit reached for those undertaking the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in the traditional counterclockwise direction, serving as an excellent warm-up.

The Yorkshire Dales offer beauty year-round, but for hiking the peaks, spring to autumn (April to October) generally provides the most favorable weather conditions. Clear days offer the best panoramic views. Winter hikes are possible but require appropriate gear and experience due to potentially harsh conditions.

When hiking in the Yorkshire Dales, it's essential to be prepared for changeable weather. Layered clothing, waterproof and windproof outer layers, sturdy hiking boots, and navigation tools are highly recommended. Even on clear days, the summits can be exposed and windy.

Little Ingleborough summit cairn, situated on Ingleborough's southern spur, provides a fine vantage point to view the main Ingleborough summit. It also offers wide-reaching views of Ribblesdale and the distant Forest of Bowland fells, making it a rewarding stop, especially on routes ascending from Newby or Clapham.

For those interested in running, komoot offers several running trails around Ingleton that incorporate the mountain peaks. These include challenging routes like the Ingleborough summit – Pen-y-Ghent loop from Ribblehead, and the Ingleborough and Thornton Force loop from Ingleton.