It is an iconic hiking route showing off Yorkshire’s beauty from three of its highest peaks. The 24-mile (38.6km) Yorkshire Three Peaks walk, with its 5000ft (1600m) of vertical ascent, is undertaken by tens of thousands of people every year.
But those living near the route – which climbs Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent – have reported issues such as overcrowding, problem parking and public urination for many years.
A new campaign has now been started by a group of Brownies and Guides, tackling another common complaint – litter.
“It’s just annoying because people should take it home with them,” says nine-year-old Ivy.
On a litter-picking trip next to the Ribblehead Viaduct, she found cigarette butts, paper cups and food wrappers.
Ruth, also nine, found “loads of litter”, including “the occasional dog poo”.
The campaign has also included designing posters and asking residents and business-owners to display them, by holding stalls at markets in nearby towns such as Settle.
Seeing the posters in the community is “really encouraging”, Ivy adds.
