It’s that time of year when we all shake off the slumber of the winter months and start to plan for the summer days. An ice cream here, a beer garden there – and then maybe a bit of hiking in Yorkshire’s incredible countryside.
If you’re looking to push yourself, one of the iconic hiking routes that many see as a challenge, the Yorkshire Three Peaks has been named the nation’s top walk, according to OS (Ordnance Survey).
The top hiking routes were calculated from data collected from the OS maps app between April 2022 and April 2023, and the Yorkshire Dales trek made it out on top.
Check out the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge below:
The OS data showed that people were returning to rural routes over urban routes, reversing data developed during the coronavirus pandemic.
The route located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is not for the faint-hearted. It’s 24 miles long and takes on average 12 hours to complete.
Read More: 9 Of The Best And Most Scenic River Walks In Yorkshire
Ordnance Survey spokesperson, David Jones described the Yorkshire Dales mammoth of a hike writing: “A true hiking adventure, test yourself by clambering the peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside and down again during a day-long challenge.”
“You’ll walk past aqueducts, lakes, rivers and moorlands and witness stunning North Yorkshire scenery throughout. The views from the summit of Whernside during sunset are a sight to behold. The climbs can be tough so treat the route with the respect it deserves (plenty of water, sunscreen and waterproofs if the weather turns).”
Check out the full list of the nation’s top walks below:
1. The Yorkshire Three Peaks, North Yorkshire
- Start: Horton-in-Ribblesdale car park
- Distance: 38.5km
- Time: 12hr 10mins
- Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
- Map: OS Explorer OL2
2. Bottom Wood Route, Chiltern Hill, Oxfordshire
- Start: Dashwood Arms car park
- Distance: 8.25km
- Time: 2hr 20 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Map: OS Explorer 172
3. Grasmere to the Langdale Pikes, Lake District National Park, Cumbria
- Start: Broadgate, Grasmere
- Distance: 18.5km
- Time: 6hr
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Map: OS Explorer OL7
4. Cloceanog Forest, Ruthin, Wales
- Start: Bod Petyral Picnic Site, Cloceanog Forest
- Distance: 11.8km
- Time: 3hr 30 mins
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Map: OS Explorer 264
5. Wanderlust Way, near Grimsby, Lincolnshire
- Start: Bradley Woods car park
- Distance: 33km
- Time: 8hr 47mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Map: OS Explorer 284
6. The Great Ridge, Castleton, Derbyshire
- Start: Back Street, Castleton
- Distance: 10.1km
- Time: 3hr 14mins
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Map: OS Explorer OL1
7. Surrey Three Peaks Challenge, (Box Hill, Holmbury Hill, Leith Hill), Surrey
- Start: Old London Road car park, near Mickleham
- Distance: 34km
- Time: 10hrs
- Difficulty: Easy
- Map: OS Explorer 146
8. Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire
- Start: Goodrich Castle Car Park
- Distance: 13.5kms
- Time: 3hr 30mins
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Map: OS Explorer OL14
9. Carpenters Arms Walk, Tonbridge, Kent
- Start: Carpenters Arms, Parkers Green
- Distance: 9.2kms
- Time: 2hr 20mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Map: OS Explorer 147
10. Redbrook, Monmouthshire/Gloucestershire
- Start: Tinmans Green, Redbrook
- Distance: 11km
- Time: 3hr 37mins
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Map: OS Explorer OL14
Read More: 16 Of The Best Yorkshire Dales Circular Walks
