Discover hidden peaks in the Yorkshire Dales. Explore quiet hikes, lesser-known summits and scenic routes away from the crowds.
The Yorkshire Dales are best known for one thing: the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
And while peaks like Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent are worth doing, they also come with crowds, busy paths, and a very set route.
Step away from those, and the Dales feel completely different.
Quieter summits, wider space, and routes where you’re not just following a line of people to the top. These are the peaks that give you the same landscapes—just without the noise.
These aren’t secret—but they’re often overlooked.
Most of them are:
Hidden doesn’t mean harder—it just means less obvious.
Even in peak season, these routes feel more open.
Limestone features, wide valleys, and rolling hills.
You’re not locked into one popular route.
Less rushing, more time to actually enjoy the walk.
Height: 704m
Time: 3–5 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Often confused with the more famous Whernside, so it gets far less attention.
A steady climb across open moorland (upland terrain with grass and peat), with a clear but sometimes faint path.
Wide views across the Dales, with a real sense of space.
Height: 702m
Time: 4–6 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Overshadowed by nearby peaks and not part of any major challenge route.
A steady climb onto a broad summit plateau (wide, flat high ground).
Open views across Wharfedale and surrounding hills.
Height: 526m
Time: 2–4 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Completely overshadowed by bigger peaks nearby.
A gentle ridge walk with grassy terrain and easy navigation.
Views across Wensleydale, plus old quarry and mine remains.
Height: 675m
Time: 3–5 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Rarely mentioned despite offering some of the best open views in the Dales.
Moorland walking with a gradual climb and minimal crowds.
Expansive views across multiple valleys and hills.
Height: 485m
Time: 2–3 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Shorter and less prominent, so often overlooked.
A steady woodland and hillside walk leading to a rocky summit.
One of the best viewpoints over Wharfedale.
Height: varies
Time: 3–5 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Most people stick to the main Whernside route and miss these quieter areas.
Rolling terrain with a mix of paths and open ground.
Small tarns (mountain lakes), quieter views, and a different perspective on the Dales.
The best way to experience these summits is to link them together.
This is where the Dales really open up.
These routes are ideal if you:
They’re not necessarily harder—but they do feel more independent.
Paths can fade or disappear.
Grass, limestone, and moorland all in one walk.
Open terrain means exposure to wind and rain.
Always plan like it’s a full day out.
The hidden peaks of the Yorkshire Dales aren’t about ticking off famous names.
They’re about space, quiet, and exploring the landscape in a way that feels a bit more your own.
Track your hikes, log your summits, and build your Yorkshire Dales list with Peaky Baggers.
Photo by Jamie Davies on Unsplash
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