Three Peaks Challenge walkers urged to stop disturbing ancient Iron Age stones to spell out their names

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority historic environment apprentice Lily Mulvey warned people taking on the popular Three Peaks Challenge route that they risk interfering with the archaeological heritage of Ingleborough, where evidence of Iron Age activity has been found.

The slopes of Ingleborough are scattered with ancient stones that are thought to have been part of ring cairns - ritual constructions that sometimes housed a burial.

In recent years, it has become common for climbers to build 'walkers' cairns' by collecting nearby stones and piling them up at the summit to celebrate their achievement.

Some walkers also use the prehistoric stones to spell out their own names on the ground in order to take photos to post on social media.

Miss Mulvey has even likened the trend to disturbing the world-famous standing stones of Stonehenge

"Perhaps the most significant threat to Ingleborough comes from visitors to the site physically disturbing the archaeology. These days it is common to build what are known as 'modern' or 'walkers’ cairns' - essentially the piling up of stones at the summit of the mountain in order to celebrate a successful climb. Some people may also spell out their names for a good picture opportunity.

"While this is all good fun, people may not realise that the stones they are using come from monuments that are thousands of years old. On a much smaller scale, it is like picking up and rearranging the standing stones of Stonehenge! Some of the circles have clearly been damaged by this activity, and it is important that the practice is ended if we are to have any chance of preserving this important site.

"So if you - or someone you know - are thinking about taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge (or simply making the climb up Ingleborough) please be aware of the sensitivity of the site. By all means feel free to explore this incredible monument, but please don’t disturb the stones."

In July it was announced that High Lot, the main path to the summit on Ingleborough, would close for six months for repairs after the surface was damaged by erosion caused by walkers.

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