Horton via Brackenbottom up Pen-y-ghent: route map, distance and time
694 m · Yorkshire Dales
Pen-y-ghent is the lion-shaped hill above Horton in Ribblesdale, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with a short rocky climb up its southern nose.
A walled lane climbs to the southern ridge, then rocky steps lead up the nose to the summit wall.
Horton via Brackenbottom at a glance
| Distance | 3.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 459 m |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Horton in Ribblesdale village car park |
| Start grid reference | SD 809 722 |
| Summit grid reference | SD 838 733 |
Horton via Brackenbottom map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Golden Lion Hotel0.2 km
- Crown Hotel0.5 km
- Sew Hands On0.1 km
- Horton Station cafe & bar0.7 km
- Blind Beck Tea Rooms1.0 km
- Public toilets0.4 km
- Holme Farm0.1 km
- Broad Croft House Camping Pods0.2 km
- Ribblesdale Pods0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Horton via Brackenbottom takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 50m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:42, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:45 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:44, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:43 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Pen-y-ghent summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 33 mph, 4% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:42, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 43 mph, 92% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:44, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Horton via Brackenbottom: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 33 mph and a 4% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Pen-y-ghent forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Pen-y-ghent?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 33 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Pen-y-ghent
Pen-y-ghent is the lion-shaped hill above Horton in Ribblesdale, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with a short rocky climb up its southern nose. More about Pen-y-ghent, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Plover Hill (680 m), 2.1 km north-east
Challenges that include Pen-y-ghent
Other routes up Pen-y-ghent
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horton via Hull Pot | 5.8 km one way | 465 m | 1h 55m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 809 722, the summit at SD 838 733), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Horton via Brackenbottom: questions and answers
How far is Horton via Brackenbottom?
Horton via Brackenbottom is 3.9 km one way to the summit of Pen-y-ghent, with 459 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.8 km.
How long does Horton via Brackenbottom take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Pen-y-ghent and 2h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Horton via Brackenbottom?
Horton via Brackenbottom starts from Horton in Ribblesdale village car park. The grid reference is SD 809 722.
Is Horton via Brackenbottom suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Horton via Brackenbottom today?
By 14:45 at the latest. Sunset on Pen-y-ghent today is 18:05, Horton via Brackenbottom takes about 2h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Horton via Brackenbottom?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).