Only one Peak

I am, again, going to be ‘hurrying’ over the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Soon.  Tomorrow!

But this walk was merely a wander at leisure with my camera for company.

Limestone countryside is rich in spring.  Covered with wild flowers which can extend my day by hours.

This was not a walk to do with a group trying to complete a 12 hour challenge.

Lazy summer haze hung low over Ingleborough wondering whether to obey the forecast of a bright day.  Horton made a chilly start and using the pay machine was to prove my challenge for the day!

I did begin over the Peaks route to Ingleborough.  Backwards.  Clockwise is not the usual direction,  so I was for the most part on my own. 

Orchids my first distraction.  Looking back through the haze to the nose of Pen y Ghent.

Bluebells still loitered in the pavement cracks along side distorted trees.  Cotton grass meadows fill much of the  four miles stretch to the top of Ingleborough, and my journey was punctuated by frequent attempts wild flower captivation.  Not easy with the wind irritating them to a Mexican wave.

The top of Ingleborough was surprisingly empty, though by now a few folks had passed me in the opposite direction.  Clarity had replaced the mist and there was really no need to hike all three peaks I could see them and the routes to them quite clearly.  Unfortunately the popularity of the 3 Peaks Challenge has made construction of a city style pavement a necessity to prevent vast erosion of the landscape.

Preferring a softer path I went along the spur  over to  Simon Fell to Park Fell.   Both resplendent with bright green mosses and wild flowers.  Contrasting conditions of bog and limestone. 

No one else was there.  A couple following me off the top did stop and studiously study their map as I trudged off across the moor away from the clearly defined 3 Peaks path. 

 

Once off the moorland the meadows shone gold and green in glorious sunshine, and yet more flowers brightened my way.

My route

Information on Ingleborough National Nature Reserve and other walk routes  here