At 694 meters Pen-y-Ghent is the smallest of the Three Peaks, but not by much. It's stepped profile seen from the valley has been compared to a sleeping lion and the ascent from Horton in Ribblesdale is an excellent excursion, though busy with Three Peaks walkers particularly on summer weekends. The route as described below involves a bit of scrambling on the steep rock steps to gain the summit, though it is within the capabilities of most walkers. If you want to avoid it use the descent route both up and down.
As it's a bit too far for most people to consider an ascent direct from Broadrake why not combine it with a short train journey. Drive or walk to Ribblehead station and take the train one stop to Horton. It's about 2 miles walk to the station - allow an hour to be safe.
From Horton Station drop down to the main road and carry straight on. The road takes you over the river and through the village. Follow it past the Pen-y-Ghent Cafe and the campsite until just before the Golden Lion a footpath on the left takes you across a field to a minor road. Turning left again take the road for a short distance to cross a footbridge to another minor road on the other side of the stream. Turning left follow the road for about 1/2 mile until just before Brackenbottom Farm a footpath left heads up the hill.
Keep following the obvious path up to the shoulder where the route turns left and climbs steeply. There are a couple of rock steps to ascend involving a bit of scrambling so take care. As you are climbing note the distinct change in geology between the lower and upper rock steps. The lower step is carboniferous limestone and the upper one millstone grit. From the top of the steps a flagged path leads shortly to the summit.
Over the wall at the summit the path drops down to where the ground steepens, then continues diagonally down the slope before turning left and heading straight down the hill. After about 3/4 mile it is worth a short detour left of the track to see the large depression of Hunt Pot. Then a little further where a walled track joins from the left take another detour heading right for a couple of hundred yards to go out and back to see the even more impressive Hull Pot.
Return to the junction and follow the walled lane which will take you back to Horton Village and to the Station for the return train.