4th February 2017 - Penyghent
Walk Details
Distance walked: 7.3 miles
Total ascent: 1716 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Horton in Ribblesdale-Brackenbottom-Dub Cote-Long Lane-Pennine Way-Penyghent-Pennine Way-Hunt Pot-Hull Pot-Pennine Way-Horton in Ribblesdale
Considering that we've not exactly had a snowy winter so far it's a bit of a surprise to find that three of the five walks that I've now done so far this year have had snow on the ground. I really enjoy a walk in the snow if the weather is right. I was struggling a bit with trying to decide on where to go today, so I went with an old favourite, Penyghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The better weather that was forecast to arrive for the afternoon certainly took its time. I arrived in Horton to find grey skies and showers so I decided to pop into the cafe for a bite to eat. After that postponement I set off with hints of brightness and then the sun came out for a while. That was a false dawn, and with more rain and snow falling I took a long lunch in the shelter of a wall to give it time to clear before committing myself to the climb to the summit. That proved to be a good decision. When the skies cleared again it was for good, so that I had a mix of cloud and sunny spells for the enjoyment of the views from the summit and for the return to Horton.
After parking in Horton I set off by taking the lane to and through the hamlet Brackenbottom before turning left to walk up the lane to Dub Cote. Here I joined a bridleway that made its way uphill to the track of Long Lane. I followed this north to where it meets the trail of the Pennine Way (I stopped for lunch on this bit) and this trail took me to the summit of Penyghent. After spending some time up there taking in the view I returned to Horton by the Pennine Way with diversions to see the potholes of Hunt Pot and Hull Pot on the way.
Total ascent: 1716 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Horton in Ribblesdale-Brackenbottom-Dub Cote-Long Lane-Pennine Way-Penyghent-Pennine Way-Hunt Pot-Hull Pot-Pennine Way-Horton in Ribblesdale
Considering that we've not exactly had a snowy winter so far it's a bit of a surprise to find that three of the five walks that I've now done so far this year have had snow on the ground. I really enjoy a walk in the snow if the weather is right. I was struggling a bit with trying to decide on where to go today, so I went with an old favourite, Penyghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The better weather that was forecast to arrive for the afternoon certainly took its time. I arrived in Horton to find grey skies and showers so I decided to pop into the cafe for a bite to eat. After that postponement I set off with hints of brightness and then the sun came out for a while. That was a false dawn, and with more rain and snow falling I took a long lunch in the shelter of a wall to give it time to clear before committing myself to the climb to the summit. That proved to be a good decision. When the skies cleared again it was for good, so that I had a mix of cloud and sunny spells for the enjoyment of the views from the summit and for the return to Horton.
After parking in Horton I set off by taking the lane to and through the hamlet Brackenbottom before turning left to walk up the lane to Dub Cote. Here I joined a bridleway that made its way uphill to the track of Long Lane. I followed this north to where it meets the trail of the Pennine Way (I stopped for lunch on this bit) and this trail took me to the summit of Penyghent. After spending some time up there taking in the view I returned to Horton by the Pennine Way with diversions to see the potholes of Hunt Pot and Hull Pot on the way.
Route map
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It's a rather damp morning in Horton and after a visit to the cafe I'd better get going
On the lane through Brackenbottom
and up to Dub Cote
At last! The skies brighten and the sun comes out over Ribblesdale..
As I join the track of Long Lane I can make out a snow covered and cloud topped Ingleborough on the other side of Ribblesdale
Looking back down Long Lane. Unfortunately the sunshine isn't set to last. That dark cloud is heading this way.
An impressive looking Penyghent now looms large
With the approaching shower it gradually disappeared from view. I thought that now would be a good time to have my lunch with a wall handily placed for shelter.
Some time later and after a long lunch the rain and snow finally starts to clear. This time there are proper clearer skies upwind over the Forest of Bowland.
The track crosses to the Silverdale side of the hill
and joins the trail of the Pennine Way, where I was treated to this spectacular view of cloud clearing from Penyghent
Ingleborough as I pass the point where the path up from Brackenbottom joins the trail
The steep part of ascent commences with the crags on the left
Looking down Ribblesdale as I reach the top of the steep bit
On the final approach to the summit
At the trig point and summit of Penyghent
Buckden Pike and Great Whernside in the distance. Two fells that I've already visited this year and they were covered in snow at the time as well.
Looking down Ribblesdale to the hills around Settle
Looking north over the summit wall to Dodd Fell Hill and Plover Hill. The fells looked great covered in snow beneath the blue skies and clouds.
The same view but from the other side of the wall
Which I couldn't help taking a photo of with the freshly drifted snow against it
Ingleborough and Whernside now clear of cloud
Still on the Pennine Way as I start the descent back to Horton. It was a little tricky underfoot in places.
The western face of Penyghent looks fantastic as the blue skies and sunshine return..
A snow covered Cam Fell to the north
Ingleborough ahead as I continue my descent. Just to my left is a feature that I've no excuse for not visiting today considering how many times I've passed it and not done so.
Penyghent above the beck that enters..
..Hunt Pot
Turning round for a great view of Penyghent
Hull Pot. This hole in the ground is hard to miss.
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Penyghent above Horton Scar
Down Horton Scar Lane to Horton..
..with a view across Ribblesdale to Ingleborough and Whernside in the fading light