A classic circuit of one of the Three Peaks, but a ride definitely best saved for dry summer months. You could also start this route from Horton in Ribblesdale.

Park on the side of the road in Litton (SD905741). There's a nice pub here for refreshments afterwards!

1. Leave Litton on the road towards Halton Gill. Keep an eye out for a bridge and track climbing up the left side of the valley (SD898743) - cross this bridge, turn right at the other side and follow this track. The track climbs steeply and can be loose and challenging in places, but soon levels off into a fun cruise with a couple of small fords to splash through. Keep following the track until it joins a road (SD855729).


2. Turn left onto the road and follow for 2 km where a track turns off right to a farm (SD842714), signed Pennine Way - take this. Continue to a fork where the Pennine Way heads right up the steep side of Pen-y-ghent while we head left. After a small rise the descent begins on a good fast track which can, however, get a bit loose and rutted in places. Keep on the main track as another joins from the left and descend to the road (SD814695).


3. Turn sharply right and follow the road to Horton in Ribblesdale. Here, turn right just after the Post Office (SD808724), signed (on the left of the road) bridleway to Foxup and Pennine Way. This track is initially very loose and hard going, but it gradually improves as it climbs steadily. There're still a couple of challenging sections though. At the end of the track head straight on as the Pennine Way heads right up Pen-y-ghent again (SD823743). This track leads to Hull Pot, which is quite a sight, but you need to bear right before you get to it to pass through a gate.


4. From here on it can get very soggy when wet. The track climbs gradually to a wall line which it then follows. There has been some trail maintenance in places which has made sections more rideable in the wet as well as providing a rickety boardwalk (!). A couple of fords with bridges follow. Steering through the ruts and limestone moguls keeps the concentration high.


5. Eventually the track drops to the left, towards Foxup. Turn left at a bridleway junction through a gate (SD871764) then right onto the road. Keep straight on the road through Halton Gill and back to Litton.

Any comments or suggestions about this route? Pop em in the forum where I'm sure others will be interested to read them.