Choosing your route
Most people start at Horton-in-Ribblesdale and attack the route anti-clockwise. There is a reason for this. Horton is the biggest village on the route and the route is a bit easier (in my humble opinion) anti-clockwise. However, if you do this on a busy weekend you may end up in a crowd and even have to queue to get over stiles, so for this reason you may wish to start elsewhere on the route or do the route clockwise so that you pass the crowds on Whernside rather than walking with them.

Getting there
horton-stationIf you wish to arrive by public transport then the train is your best bet. Horton-in-Ribblesdale is on the Settle to Carlisle line with direct trains from Leeds every couple of hours. If you are driving to Horton there is a large pay and display car park in the centre of the village, and another one at the Golden Lion, so make sure you have some change. Please don’t park in front of peoples houses. If you chose to start the challenge at Ribblehead there is again a railway station and ample free parking in lay-bys on the roadside.

Accommodation
Think carefully about what sort of accommodation you want and where it is. Camping in Horton village centre on the Friday and Saturday night can get very busy on weekends in the Summer. There are other campsites, hotels and bunk barns on the route that you can use. Many of these places book up months and months in advance for the spring and summer weekends so you may well end up in Ingleton, Settle or Clapham (which is no bad thing but you will have to drive to Horton in the morning.)

Start time and walking in the dark
Most people will want to avoid walking in the dark. If you are confident of your fitness then you can probably allow 12 hours but if you are a large group or not super fit then allow more. If you are doing the route the normal way round starting at Horton then the last hill, Ingleborough, will take 3 hours for a very fast group, 4 for a normal group and longer for a slow group. Bear this in mind before setting off up the hill. If you don’t have torches or are not confident at navigating in the dark then please don’t attempt it.

Preparation
The challenge is doable for most reasonably fit people but is not a pushover. While much of the route is now on purpose-built paths they are of varying quality. There are also two very steep up hill sections where you will probably need to use your hands and one very steep downhill (assuming you take the traditional anti-clockwise approach). It is fairly common to see people crawling up Ingleborough as vertigo sets in. You will need to be fairly fit to complete the route (the vast majority of those who try it succeed) but to do it within 12 hours is not easy. Get out walking, get used to using walking poles (if you intend to use them) and break your boots in.

Kit
The kit that you take will depend on the size and experience of the team as well as the prevailing weather. Personal kit should include

  • Full set of waterproofs
  • Hat & gloves
  • Spare warm clothes
  • Lots of food
  • Water container (and flask, maybe)
  • Whistle
  • Walking boots
  • Walking poles (maybe)
  • Any personal medication
  • Torch and spare batteries (essential).
  • Map and Compass.


As a team you should really have a first aid kit and some sort of emergency shelter / bivi bag (the latter only cost a few quid). I would personally recommend a knee support as it is the knees that are most likely to go.