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4. Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hawes via Pennine Way

Start/Finish

Horton-in-Ribblesdale main car park where there are toilets. Horton is about 6 miles north of Settle.

Distance/Time

20 km.   About 6 hours.

Peaks

No peaks as such but the highest point reached is about 580 m.

OL2 Yorkshire Dales: Western Area

Introduction

The Pennine Way is mainly a track which can be rough and stony in places. Navigation is easy until Ten End when the path down is not very distinctive in places. The highlight of the Pennine Way is Ling Gill and its gorge. Ribblehead Viaduct, Ingleborugh, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside are all well seen from the route.

Route

(1) From the main car park in Horton-in-Ribblesdale,, which has toilets. Walk N over the bridge to The Crown and walk past its front door to the end of the building to find a sign pointing up a track which is where the Pennine Way leaves Horton and heads N. Follow the track for about 4.5 km to Birkwith Moor where the Pennine turns W some distance before a large plantation. Go over a slight rise then descend gradually before continuing past a small ruin then join a major track just before Old Ing. Soon after, the track turns N and passes Calf Holes where a stream disappears down a hole (similar but smaller to Gaping Gill). Continue N to pass alongside Ling Gill gorge then cross the bridge soon after. In less than 2 km, join the Dales Way on a gravel road.

(2) Follow the gravel road NE with substantial forestry well below on the R. Continue past where the Dales Way forks off R and reach a tarmac road. Continue along this for about 1 km until the Pennine Way forks offL and heads N. Follow the obvious track for nearly 4 km on the western flank of Dodd Fell before a sign indicates the Pennine Way forks off R just before Ten End. Follow the path, roughly NE, as it gradually descends. The path is not always obvious but it leads down, through some gates, then turns ENE to reach Gaudy Lane. Follow the lane to a T junction and turn R. Almost immediately, cross a wall and walk across two fields before a sign says go left. Descend down to a road and turn right. Almost immediately, take the road descending on the left. This is not well signed but there is a sign with an acorn on it. Follow this road until a sign and a gate take one across two fields then between houses to reach a road. Cross over and continue to reach another road by a stone bus shelter. Turn L and soon go R onto a path which leads to a church. Just after this reach the road going W through Hawes. There are no signs now but turn R and follow the road to the road junction (Hardraw road) by the Dales Countryside Museum. The continuation of the Pennine Way N goes up the Hardraw road.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on and 27^th February, 2019.