Ingleborough
Ingleborough is the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Having now climbed this mountain three times, by each of the three major routes, I think we have settled on our most family friendly of them all!
Fancy climbing Ingleborough with the kids?
Well here is what we consider to be the most family friendly route up and down the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales!
The research, planning and opportunity has meant this has taken over a year in the making and has not been without it’s head-scratching moments. You can read about all the other attempts and about doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks with the kids over on the blog, but this route I feel is the most family friendly of all the major routes up and and down Ingleborough.
Starting and ending in Ingleton, not only will you be able to climb one of the most famous peaks in the Yorkshire Dales, but you will end with the park, pubs and plenty of cafes to treat yourself when you’ve completed the challenge!
Walk Details for Climbing Ingleborough
Distance: 7 miles linear walk
Terrain: Very well walked paths. In good visibility, this walk is very easy to navigate. In poor visibility, the summit of Ingleborough is a challenge, as it is a relatively flat and featureless plateau surrounded by steep drops, therefore navigation skills are required (see pictures for poor visibility)
Parking: One of the many pay and display car parks in Ingleton. This route starts from the bus stop in the Community Centre pay and display.
Public Transport: Yes. Traveline buses are in operation between the areas of Skipton, Settle, Kirkby Lonsdale, Hawes and Lancaster. Check the bus timetables for more in depth information.
Dog friendly? Yes, dogs to be kept under close control
Location: Ingleton, North Yorkshire.
What 3 Words: tint.chins.machine
Toilets/ Baby Change: Can be found at the car park next to the community centre.
Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Ingleton.
The path up Ingleborough beyond Crina Bottom.
How to walk Ingleborough
Directions to be used alongside Ordnance Survey OL02 Explorer Map Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western
Beginning from the Ingleton Community Centre Car Park, head out the eastern exit, heading onto Back Gate. As you walk past the community centre, it will be to your left as you leave the car park. Turn left onto Back Gate.
Continue along this road until you see a fork ahead, High Street. Turn right here, heading in the direction of White Scar Cave (signposted). Continue along High Street, until there is another fork. This time take the left fork, which continues upwards in the direction of White Scar Cave.
To your right, you will notice a signpost that’s signposted Ingleborough 2 1/2 miles. This is your path! It heads up a wide access track, that’s rocky. Look to your right, you will see the post box to one of the most remote houses EVER. Crina Bottom. It’s located completely off-grid 1.5 miles away from the road. You will be walking along the access track, which is also the Pennine Journey national trail.
Head up the hill, then follow this rocky track as it continues uphill. After around 1km, the track heads at a right angle to the right, continue until you reach a gate through to the open fell (open access land). At this point, you will see Crina Bottom up ahead on your left. Here, you will continue, passing the property to your left, then continuing up the path as it heads up the side of Ingleborough. It is visible in the distance.
The path is relatively steady until you reach the final ascent where the path steepens to the summit. After just over 2km, you will be at the top and see the trig point, large cairn and seating area to the left.
If you want to visit the true summit of Ingleborough, it’s not the trig, cairn or viewpoint seat, but it is the far less conspicuous moundy bit, obvious only by the topography, it being higher than the rest of the plateau around it. Ingleborough is like an vast rocky football pitch. Flat, rocky and virutally featureless. Very tricky to navigate in the cloud (as it often is) and can be particularly disorientating!
Once you have admired the views (you can see all the way to the Lake District, Morecambe Bay, the rest of the fells of the Yorkshire Dales and beyond!) then head back the way you came, taking care to use the cairn to find the top of the path you arrived on, which is pretty tricky to see from the top!
Head back the way you came because having attempted two more circular walks, the final consensus is that the linear route is the best for kids!
Last walked July 2024
Ingleborough in the cloud, showing just how tricky it is to navigate!
The view from the top of Inglebourough on the Northern Edge looking at Whernside
The beginning of the path up Ingleborough from Ingleton
What’s cool for kids on Ingleborough?
✨ Ingleborough has quite a lot of awesome history associated with it! It was once a Brigantian hillfort, and is a site of archaeological significance which is why it is important not to remove or move any rocks on the summit. There were around 20 roundhouses situated on top of the summit and the ramparts were around 3,000 feet long. It is the highest hillfort in England (source: Historic England)
Not only that, but there was once a hunting tower built on top of the mountain too, created to shelter a grouse shooting party during a day of celebrations up on the mountain in 1830 (including a horse race!) The tower was pulled down by angry locals.
🧒 There is a park in Ingleton, simply head into the centre of the village and towards the swimming pool. It is next door.
🌳 why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!
Want to grab the route?
Head to the Ordnance Survey Navigation App where you can download the route!
(Always carry a back up map and know how to use it)
Image is Copyright of Ordnance Survey
Helpful Information!
For more helpful information head to our safety tips and advice page.
⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! These walks are intended as a guide only and are undertaken at your own risk. The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. If in doubt, turn back. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS or your phone alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)
⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.
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