Yorkshire three peaks

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The whole of Ingleborough as seen from the peat bog below

The mountains of Whernside (736 m), Ingleborough (723 m) and Pen-y-ghent (694 m) are collectively known as the (Yorkshire) Three Peaks. The peaks, which form part of the Pennine range, encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the North of England.

Geologically, the three peaks are composed mostly of limestone and millstone grit. These occur in alternating layers, which give Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent a distinctive, stepped appearance. Ingleborough has some impressive areas of limestone pavement, and is riddled with a network of caves, such as the impressive White Scar Caves, and potholes which attract cavers from all over the country. It is home to England's highest waterfall - at Gaping Gill, the Fell Beck drops 110 metres vertically down a pothole, into Britain's second largest cavern. The beck re-emerges further down the mountain at Ingleborough Cave, where visitors can take a guided tour of a floodlit part of the cave system. Whernside, being more rounded, is visually less imposing than its neighbours, but its summit is the highest point in Yorkshire.

The area is also rich in historical interest. The summit of Ingleborough has the remains of a huge Iron Age hill fort, while the Settle-Carlisle Railway runs between the mountains, crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct at the foot of Whernside.

The 3 Peaks are subject to 'The 3 Peaks Challenge' where walkers aim to complete a gruelling 37.5 to 42 km (23.5 to 26 mile) (depending on route) circuit of all 3 three peaks with nearly 1600 m (5200 ft) of ascent and descent within 12 hours, starting and finishing at the same point (as detailed by Alfred Wainwright in his 1971 guide Walks in Limestone Country). The route most walkers take varies from the fell race in that most traverse the 'nose' of Pen-Y-Ghent from Brackenbottom Moor and do not ascend from the Pennine Way. Additionally, Whernside is generally traversed along the right of way to the east following the railway line and rising to Knoutberry Hill all of which can add extra milage to the route. The traditional route starts in the village of Horton in Ribblesdale and the Pen-Y-Ghent Cafe runs a 'logging' service where walkers can be timed in and out. Those who succeed become eligible for membership of the the Cafe's 'Three Peaks of Yorkshire Club'. The challenge is also very popular for charity sponsored walks and Saturdays in early summer can see several hundred walkers make their way round the route.

The circuit is the scene of a fell race held in late April. In 2008 this hosted the World Long Distance Mountain Challenge. The three peaks are also visited by the Three Peaks cyclo-cross race in the course of a longer, 61 km-long route.

The Pennine Way also visits Horton and crosses the summit of Pen-y-ghent. The Ribble Way follows the River Ribble from its source near the foot of Whernside to its mouth near Preston.

The Three Peaks were featured on the TV programme Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of Yorkshire.