Pen-y-ghent, Yorkshire Dales

Although it stayed dry today, it was difficult getting a decent mountain profile from the road. This was my best offering given the time and circumstances.

The starting point for Pen-y-ghent is the classic location of Pen-y-ghent cafe in Horton in Ribblesdale. This building is like a sweet shop for walkers with everything on display from take away food to walking equipment. More importantly for some, it is the start and finish point of the Three Yorkshire Peaks walk signified by the clock card machine below. The record for the 23 mile route is 2h 51m by a fell runner.
After crossing the main road, the walk follows a series of farm tracks and lanes until the open fell was reached.

The only unusual thing about this section was thunder of hooves. To my surprise, over the horizon came a stampede of sheep that were being moved into a different field.

Once on the open fell, the unique Yorkshire Dales mountain profile was visible in the same format for some time getting ever closer as I approached the intersecting Pennine way...

It was only at this point did I feel that there was any mountain to climb. I was joined on this section by a soldier on leave serving in Germany who told me all about his daughter in Scarborough, his flat, his ex, his job, plans to do the three peaks.

After lunch at the summit, it was all quiet again. I opted to cover the sub summit of Plover Hill in the distance & eventually found myself on the wrong side of a high stone wall due to the insignificance of the spot height & it's location.....cough, cough, tut, tut !!

I was now well off the Three Peaks trail as i descended into "no mans land" and ...

....a shocker of a sign telling me how many miles it was back on a wide track to Horton !!

The monotony of the route was broken up by rejoining the Three Peaks route, geological features including Hull Pot & these interesting tree curves. There were not many people about and i was left wondering when i eventually had Horton in my sights, whether this seat was for those had completed the walk or those who got to the top of the field & just dreamed about doing it....