Yorkshire Three Peaks and waterfalls from Ingleton

Ingleton is a stunning village in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a great base to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge or simply to explore the local area at your leisure.

The journey from Norfolk was easy, made all the better thanks to very convenient charging in Ingleton’s main car park, which runs through the middle of the village near the community centre.

📍 Location

Community Centre Car Park, Ingleton, Carnforth LA6 3HG

Google Maps | Apple Maps

🔌 Charging info

• 6 x 7kW type 2 connectors (Pod Point)
• No contactless payment
• Use the Pod Point app
• Cost: £0.40 per kWh
• You must pay for parking, though it's free after 6pm

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⚡ Why it’s great

Ingleton is a great place to stay if you're planning on doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge,, but it's so much more than that. There are plenty of great places to eat, lots of local walks, and a stunning viaduct.

The Wheatsheaf

The day we arrived, we drove to the main car park, plugged in, and headed down to The Wheatsheaf, for dinner. It's about a five- or six-minute walk from the Community Centre car park. It also has its own car park if you don't need to charge and want to be a bit closer. The food was great and the service excellent. I'd advise booking as it was quite busy.

Station Inn

The Station Inn is about 10 minutes from Ingleton near the stunning Ribblehead Viaduct. This is where a lot of people end their Yorkshire Three Peaks adventure, so booking is highly recommended. The pub gets very busy, but the food is good.

🗓️ NOTE: In peak Three Peaks season, restaurants get booked quite quickly so bear this in mind when planning your trip.

Old Post Office Bar

This is a tiny bar just down from The Wheatsheaf. Sadly, we didn't get a chance to go in, but it looked fantastic! It was very lively with lights and music plus a small outdoor seating area. They also have events on.

The Gem

If you want to stop somewhere for a bite to eat and don't fancy a pub, The Gem is wonderful. I'd just completed a big walk, so the iced coffee and breakfast bun were welcomed. The staff are friendly, there's interesting stuff on the menu, and they do takeaway too.

Dalecote Barn

This is a lovely little B&B that's nicely isolated, but still within reach of all the hikes and sights. There's no EV charging available, but I had such a great stay here that I just had to recommend it.

⛰️ Hiking

There are some fantastic hikes starting in or near Ingleton.

Three Peaks Challenge

This is one of the UK’s most popular long-distance walks, covering the three highest mountains in the Yorkshire Dales: Pen-y-ghent (694m), Whernside (736m), and Ingleborough (723m). The circular route is around 24 miles (38.6 km) and the traditional challenge is to complete it in under 12 hours.

It’s a tough day out with steep climbs, rugged terrain, and long stretches of moorland, but it rewards you with sweeping views over the Dales, Ribblehead Viaduct, and beyond.

Here's what you need to know:

• The route usually starts and ends in Horton-in-Ribblesdale with Pen-y-ghent first, followed by Whernside, and finally Ingleborough.
• You can tackle the route from other points, such as Ribblehead, if you want to avoid the crowds.
• Most people start at around 6am to make the most of the light (which is less of a problem in summer).
• There are some long uphill sections, scrambles, rocky descents, and exposed ridgelines, so sturdy boots and plenty of water/food are essential.
• Most walkers take 10–12 hours, depending on fitness and weather conditions.
• The paths are well marked, but it can get busy, especially at peak season.

Here are the Yorkshire Three Peaks FAQs for more info.

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

This was more my pace. I started from our accommodation on Oddies Lane near the Chapel-Le-Dale church, but I'd highly recommend the full circular walk. It takes you through ancient woodland, gorge paths, and riverside tracks.

📍 Want to follow my one-way route? Here it is on Komoot.

The full trail is about 4.5 miles (7km) and takes most people 2-4 hours, depending on how often you stop to admire the views (and you’ll definitely want to). Along the way, you’ll see a series of impressive waterfalls, from the tumbling Pecca Falls to the dramatic Thornton Force.

Here's what you need to know:

• The official start is the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail car park in Ingleton.
• There's an entry fee of £11 for adults and £5.50 for children (as it runs over private land).
• The circular route is well signposted and loops through Swilla Glen, along the Rivers Twiss and Doe, and back into the village.
• Expect steep paths, steps, and some slippery sections — sturdy shoes are a good idea.
• Most people take 2-4 hours, depending on pace, photo stops, and weather.
• The route is one-way, so follow the marked paths.

If you want to stay near the falls, take a look at Falls Park. The route I took led me past some of the lodges, but they also have caravan, motorhome, and camping pitches.

Other activities

There's plenty more to do in the area:

• Visit White Scar Caves
• Visit Stump Cross Caverns
• Ride the scenic Settle to Carlisle Railway
• Go mountain biking in Gisburn Forest
• Grab cheesy afternoon tea at the Wensleydale Creamery