[1] From the car park head along the road towards the viaduct, crossing a small bridge over a stream. Follow the direction of the footpath sign opposite the T-junction along a rough stony path. Follow this until it meets a well-made access road and bear right onto the road, heading closer to the viaduct. At a left hand bend, a line of stones marks the point to leave the access road and join a footpath that runs parallel to the Ribblehead Viaduct. Walking parallel to the viaduct, climb the small hill and continue along the track keeping the railway line on your left hand side.
(A) Built between 1870 and 1974, the Ribblehead Viaduct spans the Ribble valley on 24 arches, carrying the Settle-Carlisle railway line at more than 100 feet (30m) above the valley floor. It is an example of the very best in Victorian engineering and is now a Grade II listed building.
[2] From the Ribblehead Viaduct, continue along the track for approximately 1 ¼ miles with the railway line on you left. You will pass Blea Moor signal box half way along this section before crossing the railway via a bridge at Blea Moor Tunnel. This section is flat and very easy going and will allow you to get into your stride before starting the ascent of Whernside.
(B) Blea Moor Tunnel extends 2,404m underneath the countryside and is the longest tunnel on the Settle- Carlisle line.
[3] After crossing the railway by the aqueduct, start the ascent of Whernside by climbing Slack Hill, passing the waterfalls of Force Gill. There is an option to deviate from the well-made track by crossing a broken wall and climbing a path on the east bank of Force Gill. This secondary route gives a much better view of the waterfalls and rejoins the main path half way up the ascent.
(C) Force Gill may be the most viewed waterfall in the Dales but seldom is it visited. The 6m vertical fall is among the best in the Dales and is easy enough to reach via a short detour from the main path.
Continue on the main track to the next sign post, Whernside 1 ¾ miles, fork left here. The track forms a semi-circle as it climbs to join the main summit ridge of Whernside. Continue along the path on the ridge until you reach the Trig point (it is actually on the other side of the dry stone wall, accessed by a small squeeze stile). Interestingly the Trig point actually sits in Cumbria, whereas the path remains in Yorkshire, the summit wall forms the boundary between North Yorkshire and Cumbria.
(D) While Whernside is one of the celebrated three peaks of Yorkshire, it rarely ranks on people's list of favourites, often been overlooked by the more 'interesting' Pen-Y-Ghent and Ingleborough. At (736m), it is the highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales and indeed Yorkshire earning it the affectionate title of 'Roof of Yorkshire'. On a clear day, a walker can see extensive views including Morecombe Bay, the distant Lake District mountains, the Howgills and the northern fells of the Dales. The sharp eyed among us may also be able to spot Blackpool Tower.
[4] Continue along the path as it starts to descend, becoming steeper and rockier in places. You will pass through a couple of gates before a steep section where the path takes a left and starts to descend back into the valley below. The path is easy to follow and consists of a combination of stone slabs and a rocky path. Pass through a gate and cross a field to another gate to exit where the path becomes a track next to a barn.
[5] From the start of the track, follow it to the right before you are greeted by a blue arrow pointing the way of the three peaks route. Follow the arrow by taking a left and walk along the access track. Following this track will take you to Philpin Lane, the location of a summer snack bar. This is a popular stop for “three peakers” before the final ascent up Ingleborough but is only open during the summer. Continue along the track to the road and take a left. Walk a short distance up the hill on the road before passing through a gate on the right just after the Hill Inn.
[6] From the road, follow the track in a southern direction towards Southerscales Scars. The track is wide and easy to follow and will reach a crossing path at a gate. Continue in the same direction, signposted for Ingleborough 2ml. The track will become marginally less defined as it climbs the hill across Southerscales Scars but is still easy to follow. Passing through Southerscales Scars will lead to Braithwaite Wife Hole, a large depression in the ground with access to the underlying cave system.
[7] From Braithwaite Wife Hole, continue along the path to a gate before following a blue arrow on a sign post directing you towards the ridge walk. Follow the path crossing Humphrey Bottom. Combining a mix of stone slabs and wooden decking, the path is easy to follow and offers a generally gradual climb up Ingleborough's northern flank. Cross over Mere Gill and continue climbing until you reach the base of a very steep section. Here the path begins to snake up the side of the hill, next to a dry stone wall. It is worthwhile having a quick breather here before tackling the very steep ascent onto the Ingleborough ridge. At the top of this steep section, aim for a gate and take a right at a large rock displaying information about Ingleborough's hill fort.
(E) The distinctive shape of Ingleborough is due to the local geology, a broad cap of millstone grit atop a broader plateau of carboniferous limestone. It is perhaps the most famous of the Yorkshire three peaks at (724m).The second part of the name Ingleborough comes from the old English word 'burh' which means 'a fortified place'.
[8] From here, climb up a final steep section before passing a large stone cairn. Continue in a south westerly direction towards the summit. Like most summit plateaus, the path is rather indistinct but, keeping the drop off the ridge to your right, you will quickly reach the summit shelter and trig point that mark the top. The shelter on Ingleborough puts many shelters to shame and is often very busy during the summer.
[9] To start the return back to Ribblehead, re-trace your steps back downhill to the gate and rock with the information sign. Pass through the gate and continue downhill a few yards leaving the dry stone wall behind you to a wooden erosion barrier, turn right and immediately cross a small stream. Pick up a path that runs north east along the edge of the ridge above Souther Scales Fell, with the dry stone wall to your right, which falls out of view as you walk along the ridge. Following this path is straightforward and will lead you to a wall with an embedded stone stile in it and a marker post, cross this stile and continue. After a gradual decent you will pick up again with the dry stone wall on your right, here the path starts to climb up Park Fell. Cross a further wall and continue the climb, Park Fell summit will come into view over the dry stone wall on your right, as you approach a wooden stile. Cross this to take the option to visit Park Fell summit (563m), accessed through a gate in the wall.
[10] From Park Fell, retrace your steps crossing the wooden stile to return to the path. Start the descent into the valley. Keep the dry stone wall on your right when viewed in the direction of travel. The descent will lead all the way down to New Close and Colt Park. Here the path passes through a wooden gate and joins a road that cuts through the limestone pavement down towards Gauber Road. Follow this road, crossing the railway line and passing a row of houses before reaching a junction with Gauber Road. Take a left and remain on the road until you reach the car park where you started.