Walk Leader: John Clarke

Number on walk: 4

Distance: 12 miles

Weather: Dull and misty for first half, sunshine for the second.

The walk commenced in the beautiful North Yorkshire village of Stainforth. On leaving the village the route took the group north across initially steeply rising farm land which immediately provided stunning views looking back towards Lancashire and particularly Pendle Hill the base of which was lost in a layer of mist. After the initial sharp climb the route leveled out to a far more gentle climb as it crossed the moorland of Overdale Fell. At this point the group was treated to a low level fly past by two Eurofighter Typhoons. 

Upon reaching Churn Milk Holes the group then picked up the excellent track towards the southern face of Pen Y Ghent itself. After a short climb along a series of stone steps the group then had to negotiate a further short scramble like climb of the face of the hill. This was easily completed and the group then made its way to the Trig point of the summit at 694 meters. 

Unfortunately, the summit was bathed in mist at that time so views were sadly somewhat restricted. Therefore lunch was delayed slightly until a decent off the summit was undertaken down to the area of Hunt Pot and the Pennine Way lane into Horton. 

The lunch spot provided a wonderful view of Pen Y Ghent which had now cleared of mist and the surrounding area.

Post lunch the lane was followed down into Horton where the path which runs south alongside the River Ribble was taken. This really is a beautiful section of the river and the group were treated to some wonderful views as the late September sunshine broke through. 

The River was followed to Helwith Bridge where the group turned right onto a minor road leading to Austwick. This road was only followed for a short distance before they turned left onto a path which led across a small area of moorland onto a quite lane to Little Stainforth. 

The group traveled through the lovely hamlet of Little Stainforth before dropping back down into the Ribble Valley, crossing the river by Stainforth Force, then climbing up out of the valley and walking the short distance back to the start point.

All agreed that it was a fantastic walk to the summit of one of Yorkshires Big Three.