The 5 Best Intermediate Hikes in Yorkshire

Ready to level up your hiking? Yorkshire's dramatic landscapes offer the perfect progression for hikers who've mastered beginner trails. These intermediate routes combine longer distances, moderate elevation gains, and varied terrain to test your stamina while rewarding you with spectacular scenery.

1. The Yorkshire Three Peaks

Difficulty: Intermediate–Challenging | Distance: 24 km | Elevation: 1,585 m

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge — Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough — is a classic endurance route. Starting from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, this circular walk delivers dramatic scenery and a serious physical test.

While demanding, fit intermediate hikers will find it achievable. Completing all three peaks in a single day is a milestone for many Yorkshire walkers.

Key Challenges:

  • Long ascents and descents
  • Weather exposure on ridges
  • 8–10 hour walking time
  • Navigation awareness required

💡 Tip: Start early, carry enough water, and use poles to protect knees on descents.

2. Cleveland Way: Sutton Bank to Gormire Lake

Difficulty: Intermediate | Distance: 14 km | Elevation: 450 m

This dramatic section of the Cleveland Way offers cliff-top paths, woodland tracks, and panoramic views across the Vale of York.

It’s ideal for hikers building confidence on exposed terrain without technical scrambling.

Technical Elements:

  • Narrow cliff paths
  • Steep climbs and descents
  • Mixed woodland and moorland terrain
  • Rocky underfoot sections

3. Upper Wharfedale: Kettlewell to Buckden Pike

Difficulty: Intermediate | Distance: 16 km | Elevation: 650 m

This rewarding circular route climbs steadily to Buckden Pike, offering classic limestone scenery and open moorland walking.

It’s a perfect blend of valley paths and high ground navigation.

🌿 Seasonal Tip: Spring wildflowers, summer heather, and winter snow all change the character of this walk.

4. North York Moors: Farndale & Blakey Ridge

Difficulty: Intermediate | Distance: 18 km | Elevation: 500 m

A more remote-feeling route combining sheltered dale walking with exposed moorland crossing.

Excellent for developing navigation skills and confidence in wild terrain.

  • Pathless moorland sections
  • Boggy ground after rain
  • Strong winds on Blakey Ridge
  • Historic standing stones and railway remains

5. Yorkshire Wolds: Thixendale Circular

Difficulty: Intermediate | Distance: 21 km | Elevation: 550 m

The rolling chalk hills of the Wolds deliver relentless ups and downs, making this a fantastic endurance builder.

Quiet, uncrowded, and deceptively challenging.

🌟 Essential Intermediate Hiking Skills

  • • Confident OS map reading
  • • Compass basics
  • • Weather interpretation
  • • Emergency decision-making

🏁 Final Advice

Intermediate routes demand respect. Know when to turn back, hike with others when possible, and always leave your route plan behind.

Happy hiking! 🥾 The Yorkshire hills are waiting.