13.6 miles.
Explorer Maps Nos OL30 & OL2, - Yorkshire Dales
There are at least two "main" ways up Pen-y-ghent,
with probably the most popular route starting from Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
This particular route starts from Litton in Littondale, and takes
in an ascent of Plover Hill before crossing the top of the fellside
to reach the summit of Pen-y-ghent.
The route described takes in some superb Daleside scenery at the
lower levels.
However, the ascent up Plover Hill and the descent from Pen-y-ghent
are very much for the experieinced and sure footed walker. Both
the ascent and the descent are extremely steep and are beside steep
drops.
Between Plover Hill and the summit of Pen-y-ghent is an expanse
of boggy fellside, which can be very wet and uneven.
Obviously, the ascent of Pen-y-ghent is best kept for a clear day
when the visibility is good.
However, if you choose a day when the fell top is covered in cloud
and mist, be prepared to use your map and compass to follow the
route.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the
above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5
of Memory Map)
Some new mapping software is now availabe which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!
Start from the village of Litton (SD904 741). Litton
is a very small village, and care must be taken in parking not to
obstruct any of the villagers.
Take the footpath indicated by the finger post opposite the village's
telephone box.
Cross the River Skirfare by the small footbridge, and follow the field
footpath North Westwards beside the river. Continue along the waymarked
field footpath to Nether Heselden and Halton Gill Bridge, until you
come to Foxup Bridge.
The next stage of the footpath is finger-posted almost opposite Foxup
Bridge Farm.
Head uphill over the pasture until you see another footpath sign that
points you in the direction of Foxup Road, - a track.
Continue along Foxup Road, and then the waymarked footpath until you
come to the finger post that directs you towards Plover Hill.
Ascend the footpath to Plover Hill. The last section of this path
is very steep and is beside quite a steep drop. Care is needed.
Once up on Plover Hill, take the track South Westwards. This track
basically follows the field wall (on your left) all the way to the
summit of Pen-y-ghent.
The descent from Pen-y-ghent is almost due South down a rocky track.
This track soon meets an area where there is a VERY steep and tricky
descent over a rock path. The descent here needs great care, especially
if the conditions are wet (and the rocks are slippery).
After the steep descent, the path becomes broad and well defined,
- part of the Pennine Way. Continue until you meet the minor road.
On the minor road, head North Eastwards until you come to a junction
where Dawson's Close, - a broad, grassy, track leaves the road.
Follow this track all the way back to Litton.