16 miles/25 km

Total miles: 88 miles/141 km

We had a rest day yesterday which involved a trip to Skipton to buy a few bits of outdoor equipment and also visit the castle there which was built in Norman times and is still standing strong. This was followed by a trip to Harrogate afterwards and the Victorian baths.

Today, however, it was back on the trail as we walked from Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. This is one of the premier sections of the Pennine Way for scenery and ends with a climb up Pen-Y-Ghent, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the others being Ingleborough and Whernside.

I was hoping the knee would bear up today as yesterday it was almost too sore to walk upon. I’d lightened the pack a lot by leaving some things with my sister Tina, and strapped the knee up. This helped a lot so it was fingers crossed for today.

The trail started gently today with a flat walk up to Malham Cove. This is a huge curved amphitheater formation which was formed by a waterfall carrying meltwater from glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age more than 12,000 years ago.

From Malham Cove, the trail climbs steeply up to the top of the cove onto the limestone pavement above. A geologist’s dream, these were formed when rain dissolved limestone along the joints and cracks in the rock leaving the distinctive shape today.

The next stop was Malham Tarn. This is a glacial lake and one of only eight alkaline upland lakes in Europe. At 377 metres, it is the highest such lake in the UK. It was very pretty as we walked past although the temperature had dropped at this point and there was a cold wind blowing across the water.

From here, it was a long climb up towards Fountain Fell. Although long, it was fairly gentle with some nice views along the way back towards the tarn. Pen-Y-Ghent was hidden from view but it would not be long before we saw it up close.

Whilst the climb was gentle, the descent from Fountains Fell was anything but and seemed to stretch on. Eventually, we reached the base of the valley and began our approach to Pen-Y-Ghent.

Pen-Y-Ghent is the lowest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks at 2,277 feet or 694 metres but is the most picturesque. It was formed by a section of harder rock which was left behind by glaciers in the ice age. The trail climbed straight up the steepest section on the face of Pen-Y-Ghent and it was a sharp climb, slippery in places but fortunately short.

The trail back down goes by a different route and is much easier. The steep initial section gives way to a gentle path which eventually meets up with a track which is followed into the town of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

This was a great day’s walk. I grew up in West Yorkshire so it was great to see so many of the spots I had been to when younger. Tomorrow, however, my knowledge of the way finishes and it will all be virgin territory from here on in – exciting!