The Yorkshire Three Peaks
How to Climb them with the Kids
Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen y Ghent form the Yorkshire Three Peaks
If you’ve headed up to the Yorkshire Dales, you will have undoubtedly have heard of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. A walk that involves nearly 24 miles of hiking combined with around 1600 metres of ascent, this challenge is a tough one that thousands of grown ups attempt every year.
And I am not saying you should attempt it with the kids (unless you want to of course)
But after a LOT of research, route planning and reccying I have come up with three family friendly routes up each of the Yorkshire Three Peaks for you to try at your leisure!
Why not set yourself a Yorkshire Three Peaks Family Friendly Challenge?
Whilst tackling them all in the same day is probably off the card for most kids, why not see if you can challenge yourself to do three in three days, or all three in two days? With the town of Settle and the village of Ingleton offering plenty of super accommodation or campsite opportunities, it could be an excellent Summer holiday challenge!
Walk Difficulty Ratings
All of our tried and tested kid friendly walks have been divided into 3 categories dependant on difficulty, length and terrain:
⭐ Little Monkeys:
Walks suitable for younger children. Shorter length walks with occasional pushchair access.
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers:
Walks suitable for pre-schoolers. Medium length/ difficulty walks.
⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers:
Walks suitable for older children. Longer length walks with some difficult terrain.
Walks at a Glimpse
Here is our quick look key so you can identify what each walk has without taking too long!
👶 Suitable for Pushchairs
🎒 Suitable for Carriers
🚘 Car Park/ On Street Parking
🚌 Public Transport Links
🐶 Dog Friendly
🥾 Sturdy Footwear or Wellies
🧒 A park or play area
🦆 Ducks to Feed
💦 Water play/ paddle/ swim
✨ Cool history or geology
👻 Legendary Story
🌳 Walking Games
Whernside
📍 Ribblehead, Yorkshire Dales National Park
⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers
📏 Circular walk, 11 miles
🥾🎒🚘👻💦🌳🚌🐶
Whernside is the largest peak in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and it is a fantastic achievement for a budding peak bagger!
This is a circular walk to the summit of Whernside, which is kid friendly and will also take you to one of Whernside’s waterfalls too!
Pen y Ghent and Hull Pot
📍 Horton in Ribblesdale, Yorkshire Dales National Park
⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers
📏 Circular walk 7.5 miles
🥾🎒🚘💦🌳🐶 🚌✨🧒
Want to bag yourself one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks? Pen y Ghent may be the smallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, but it is a fabulous walk for a young explorer!
This circular walk will take you to the summit of Pen y Ghent, and to Hull Pot too.
Ingleborough
📍 Ingleton, Yorkshire Dales National Park
⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers
📏 Linear walk 7 miles
🥾🎒🚘🌳🐶 🚌✨🧒
Want to bag yourself one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks? Ingleborough is the second highest and this walk starts and ends in the super village of Ingleton, where you’ll find the play park and more!
The Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks
The Blog
Find out why we have chose the routes we have, along with tips and places to try whilst doing the walks
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! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS 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.
⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.
⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.
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