Pen-y-Ghent summit (694m or 2,277 ft). The name Pen-y-Ghent’ is thought to mean either ‘hill of winds’ or ‘hill on the border’. It originates from Cumbric, a language closely related to old Welsh.
Ingleborough summit (724 m or 2,372 ft). It is not known where the name ‘Ingleborough’ comes from. The Ingleborough Archaeological Group suggests that it might have been named by early Christians and means ‘citadel of the angels’. http://www.ingleborougharchaeologygroup.org.uk/. Watch out for remnants of old settlements on the summit plateau, these are generally thought to be the remains of an iron age hill fort, but might be an older settlement dating from the 2nd millennium BC.
Whernside summit (736 m or 2,415 ft). The highest of the Three Peaks and, since the boundary changes in the 1970s, the highest point in Yorkshire. The dry stone wall running along the summit ridge is the county boundary; the Three Peaks path is in Yorkshire but if you step through the wall to reach the trig point you are entering Cumbria.
New section of path opened in 2012. Please stick to the sign-posted path and do not follow the old route across Black Dub which has been closed to prevent habitat destruction. http://www.outdoorconservation.eu/project-detail.cfm?projectid=37
Ribblehead Viaduct and work camp. The viaduct was built in 4 years from 1870 -1874. 1000 workers were employed, and lived in shanty towns on the moor around the viaduct. 100 of them died during its construction.
Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. The reserve is a SSSI and SAC (Special Area of Conservation). Located on the Northern and eastern slopes of Ingleborough it contains some of the largest limestone pavements in Britain. Limestone pavements were formed when the bedrock exposed by retreating glaciers was carved into ‘grikes’ (the grooves) and ‘clints’ (the blocks) by rain water. They are home to many plant species which grow in the protection of the grikes.
Horton in Ribblesdale. The most popular starting point for walkers of the Three Peaks. Horton has public toilets, two pubs, several accommodation options and two cafes (the Pen-y-Ghent Cafe on the route on the main road, and ‘the Blind Beck Tea Rooms, a short diversion up the main road heading north from the village). The village is first mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086, named just ‘Horton’, with the ‘in Ribblesdale’ being added later.
Ribblehead. The lay by at the road junction is a common vehicle checkpoint. For those without vehicle support there is usually a snack van in situ. A short detour up the road is the Station Inn – as well as food and drink they also provide walkers with the use of their toilet in exchange for a donation to their charity pot. https://www.thestationinnribblehead.com/
Chapel le Dale checkpoint. Another road crossing but this one has very limited parking. The Philpin Cafe is located in farm buildings a few hundred metres towards Whernside, while a few hundred metres along the road heading to Ingleborough is the Old Hill Inn. Both are on route. https://www.oldhillinningleton.co.uk/