Written by: Andrew Forrest
Updated: July 2025
Thorough planning of your logistics will help alleviate stress on the day of the challenge. Here's what to consider for the start/finish, transport, and local facilities:
The classic starting point is Horton in Ribblesdale (postcode BD24 0HG). Horton is a small village, but it features a car park, a train station, and several pubs and cafés. Additionally, another field located between the car park and the train station is often used as an overflow car park or for organised events.
Pen-y-ghent from the car park at Horton in Ribblesdale
Alternative start points include Ribblehead (LA6 3JF) and Chapel-le-Dale (near the Old Hill Inn, LA6 3FH). All three options are viable, since the route is circular.
Horton offers more amenities and the psychological boost of finishing where many others have. Horton and Ribblehead are convenient options if you are arriving by train. Ribblehead features the Station Inn, provided you can time your visit when it is open. Chapel-le-Dale provides the quietest start, although it has significantly fewer public parking options. Organised events often use it to avoid congestion, as they make use of the land next to the Old Hill Inn or at the end of Philpin Lane, with the consent of the owners.
The toilets and car park at Horton in Ribblesdale
Whichever route you choose, decide between clockwise and anti-clockwise. Most opt for the anti-clockwise route (Pen-y-ghent → Whernside → Ingleborough) as outlined, but clockwise is also an option (some suggest ascending Ingleborough first while fresh is pleasant and descending Pen-y-ghent last). Both directions present a similar level of difficulty; anti-clockwise is simply more popular and arguably easier to navigate due to the waymarks. Additionally, you'll be 'going with the flow' of others on the footpaths.
If you are driving to Horton, it is advisable to arrive early. The main car park in Horton (near the Crown Inn) can fill up quickly on summer weekends and bank holidays. It is a pay-and-display car park and also has a toilet.
The car park at Horton in Ribblesdale
There is also a field often open for parking between the train station and the car park, which is frequently used for organised events, as they can set up their facilities there. If you arrive early, please keep noise to an absolute minimum before 8:00 am. The Golden Lion pub in Horton also offers some paid-for all-day parking.
The Golden Lion which offers all-day parking at Horton in Ribblesdale
Ribblehead offers some lay-by parking at the T-junction near the viaduct and along the B6255. It is free but limited. If you are staying at the Station Inn, it also has a car park.
Chapel-le-Dale offers very limited roadside parking in a small layby just up from the Old Hill Inn. If you have a Support Crew, you might ask them to drop you off there to avoid the hassle of finding a parking space. Additionally, there is a small church car park in Chapel-le-Dale with a donation box for parking, but I don't believe it is available for use on a Sunday.
All of these parking spots are featured in our Yorkshire Three Peaks walk video.
If you have a Support Crew, they should also plan where to park at the agreed-upon meeting points. Drive cautiously on these rural roads, especially in the early morning or late evening, and watch for walkers and sheep on the road.
| Horton in Ribblesdale | |
| Directions: | Google Maps: get directions here |
| What3words: | harmless.outgrown.fake |
| Postcode: | Nearest: BD24 0HG |
| Ribblehead Viaduct | |
| Directions: | Google Maps: get directions here |
| What3words: | response.trickling.sweeping |
| Postcode: | Nearest: LA6 3JF |
| Chapel-le-Dale | |
| Directions: | Google Maps: get directions here |
| What3words: | lines.logbook.anyone |
| Postcode: | Nearest: LA6 3FH |
One of the perks of this challenge is that it is accessible by train. Horton in Ribblesdale station lies on the scenic Settle-Carlisle railway line, with direct trains from Leeds and Carlisle.
On weekends, an early morning train from Leeds can take you to Horton around 8am, I believe, but do check the current timetables. This is excellent for those travelling from West Yorkshire or beyond via Leeds.
The train station at Horton in Ribblesdale on the Settle to Carlisle Railway
Ribblehead station is another option (one stop north of Horton) - beginning at Ribblehead allows for a train arrival, enabling departure almost immediately on the route. However, if you conclude your journey at Ribblehead, be aware that trains are infrequent later in the evening.
For all these trains, check out the Northern Rail timetable.
A few buses stop on or near the Yorkshire Three Peaks route, but services are limited. The Northern DalesBus 832 stops at Ribblehead and Horton, primarily on Sundays. There is the number 11 bus from Clitheroe to Horton, which has several other stops, with 3 or 4 return trips each day. The 581 Skipton to Ingleton bus stops in Settle, where you can then catch the train to Horton or Ribblehead.
Public transport for a 12-hour walk requires thoughtful planning.
If you plan to use the train, also plan an 'escape' in case you need to retire early - for example, know when the last train leaves Horton or Ribblehead, or have a taxi number as a backup.
There are a couple of taxi firms in the area: Settle Taxis 01729 822219 and Dales Taxis (Ingleton) 015242 41899. The last time I was there, I did check Uber, but none of the taxis were near Horton in Ribblesdale.
If you aren't local, it is highly recommended to stay nearby the night before (you don't want to drive 3 hours pre-dawn, hike 12 hours, then drive back!).
Horton in Ribblesdale provides a variety of accommodation options, including pubs with rooms (such as the Golden Lion or Crown Inn), B&Bs, and two campsites along the route. Therefore, you can begin your walk right from your accommodation.
The camp site at Horton in Ribblesdale
Book well in advance for summer weekends as they become busy with visitors. Ingleton, a larger village about a 15-minute drive from Horton, offers more guesthouses, pubs, cafés, and shops, making it a good base if you don't mind a short drive in.
Settle is another town, approximately 6 miles from Horton, featuring hotels, B&Bs, pubs, cafés, shops and a lot more accommodation than Horton.
There are several bunk barns in the area, some of which can accommodate larger groups. After the walk, having a nearby bed is a blessing - you can clean up, eat, drink, and happily collapse.
Generally, you need to bring your own drinks and food for the Three Peaks walk, though there are key points where you can obtain refreshments, if timed correctly.
In Horton, there are a couple of pubs (the Crown and the Golden Lion) and a café. If you start early, they won't be open, but if you begin at Ribblehead or Chapel-le-Dale, they may be open as you pass through.
The Crown at Horton in Ribblesdale
At Ribblehead, the Station Inn pub is situated very close to the path just before the Ribblehead Viaduct. They serve drinks and hearty food, but do check their opening times. If you've had an early start, the Station Inn may not be open when you pass by. A quick pint or cola here can be rejuvenating - but beware of stopping too long; your legs may stiffen!
The Station Inn at Ribblehead
At Ribblehead, there is often an ice cream van in the layby known as 'the 4th peak'. It offers a variety of cold drinks, teas, coffees, and snacks, including a bacon butty, which can be quite tempting when passing by. It is typically there most weekends and on most days during the summer.
The refreshments van that is often in the layby at Ribblehead... know as the 'Fourth Peak'
Opposite the Station Inn, down a track, lies Ribblehead station. A visitor centre and café are also located there.
Further along, after Whernside and just before reaching Chapel-le-Dale, is the Philpin Café on the side of the path - again serving a range of refreshments, but do check the opening times.
Opening times and front of Philpin Café, passed on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk
If it is closed, there is a vending machine in the same building which, when operational, sells drinks and snacks. This machine has always been switched on every time I have passed it.
The vending machine in the barn at the side of Philpin Café
This is also where one of the camp sites is located.
Philpin camp site next to the Yorkshire Three Peaks footpath
A couple of hundred yards further on in Chapel-le-Dale lies the Old Hill Inn, which you again pass en-route. It serves typical pub fare, but it is open much less often than the other pubs. After that, unless you have arranged to meet your Support Crew, you are on your own.
The Old Hill Inn walked past on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge route
All these places to eat and drink are shown on our Three Peaks Walk video.
For all these, if you are depending on them for food or drink along the way, make sure to check their opening times.
After your walk, the pubs in Horton in Ribblesdale and the Station Inn offer food and drink. Ingleton and Settle boast a range of eateries, including pubs, cafés, fish and chips shops, and pizza places, should you be heading that way. It's always a good idea to have a snack on hand at your car or accommodation (even if it's just a protein shake or a favourite chocolate bar) - having something immediately after you finish can aid in recovery before you sit down to a proper meal.
Helwith Bridge Pub near Horton in Ribblesdale
Also near Horton is Middle Studfold Farm Café and the Helwith Bridge Pub.
Middle Studfold Farm Café near to Horton in Ribblesdale
There are toilets available at the main Horton car park (a 20p coin is required) and at Ribblehead station. If you purchase anything from any of the pubs along the way, they provide toilets for customers.
The toilets on the car park at Horton in Ribblesdale
Other than that, it is nature's restroom - so be prepared to go into the wild if necessary (stray well off the path, bury waste, and carry out toilet paper) and understand what you are meant to do.
In summary, plan the logistics of where to start, how to get there, and how to return home deliberately. This alleviates a great deal of anxiety on the day. Also consider contingency: if someone in your group has to drop out at Ribblehead, how will they return? Mobile signal in this area is patchy (generally some signal in Horton and on some peaks, less in valleys), so traditional arrangements and backup plans are wise. By organising the logistics, you free yourself to focus on the walk itself.