Day 4 - Sunday 11 May 2014
Ribblehead to Sedbergh (13.7 miles)
GPX File
Today was our 23rd Wedding Anniversary!!
The weather looked decidedly overcast as we ate breakfast in the comfort of the lounge at The Station Inn. We had slept surprisingly well in our small but comfortable bed and it was while we were at breakfast that we met Albie & Gary from Middlesborough. They too were walking The Dales Way and were on the same itinerary as we were. They had also decided to come off route in order to stay in Ribblehead and like us were taking the Whernside path in order to reach Dent and ultimately Sedbergh.
The weather looked decidedly overcast as we ate breakfast in the comfort of the lounge at The Station Inn. We had slept surprisingly well in our small but comfortable bed and it was while we were at breakfast that we met Albie & Gary from Middlesborough. They too were walking The Dales Way and were on the same itinerary as we were. They had also decided to come off route in order to stay in Ribblehead and like us were taking the Whernside path in order to reach Dent and ultimately Sedbergh.
Having breakfasted, we paid our bill and decided to pay a quick visit to the delightful Ribblehead Station which is one of the stops on the famous Settle to Carlisle railway line. Right next to the station is The Old Station Masters House which is now a beautiful holiday cottage and looked in very good condition.
The Old Station Master's House at Ribblehead
As stated earlier we came off route by a mile and a half in order to stay in Ribblehead therefore rather than walk the mile and a half back up the road to Far Gearstones we walked a section of The Dales High Way (Link here) from Ribblehead as far as Dent where we would then rejoin The Dales Way. This is a very good path with commanding views and we saw few people all day. Although we have been to the Ribblehead Viaduct many times, it is still an impressive sight and Fudge could not resist posing for a photograph beneath it.
The path up to the Whernside turning is well used and is therefore good underfoot and we passed the signal box at Blea Moor and the aqueduct at Force Gill before climbing up to the junction of paths. We could see Albie & Gary ahead and finally caught them up at the Whernside turning. After a couple of photographs we let them go first and followed them up the sloping path to the top of the rise. The path then flattens out before making its descent into Dent.
Albie & Gary at the Whernside path junction with Whernside to the right
At the Whernside path junction
Looking back down to Ribblehead with the unmistakeable top of Ingleborough to the right
Is the weather perking up? On the path down to Dent with Albie & Gary ahead. Fudge is in mid shake!!
Arten Gill Viaduct
I do not like the look of that in the valley!
Approaching Dent - luckily all that cloudy, rainy stuff went away.
On the path down to Dent we came across a sheep in distress as it had caught its horns in the barbed wire of a fence and despite its frantic struggling was making its predicament worse. Dave, with the help of two other walkers managed to free the sorry animal who thankfully was no worse for its ordeal. We then made our way to Bridge End where we rejoined The Dales Way. Prior to reaching Dent we came across members of The Dales Way Association repairing the footpath down by the confluence of the River Dee and Deepdale Beck - they were doing a fantastic job.
The memorial stone to Adam Sedgwick in the centre of Dent
The streets of Dent - like going back in time
We finally reached the picturesque village of Dent and were really surprised as to how unspoilt it was. Yes there are modern signs about etc but you feel as though you are back in time when you walk through the cobbled streets. We passed the memorial to Adam Sedgwick, one of the founders of modern Geology who was born in Dent and, feeling peckish, we lunched at The Sun Inn which cooked us a lovely meal.
Walking alongside the River Dee near Brackensgill
Who are you looking at? On a stile near Gap Wood.
Gap Wood
Dave's sixth 'Full English' on the bounce was beginning to take its toll
Sedbergh ahead with Winder behind
A welcome sign - now where's the pub
Reaching Brackensgill we then turned sharp right and up to Gate Cottage before making our way through the bluebells at Gap Wood. We then made our way to the end of Long Rigg before seeing our first view of Sedbergh with the hills of Winder, Crook and Knott sitting majestically behind the town. We entered Sedbergh via the optional route into the town and knew we would have to go back down to the public school to rejoin the route in the morning. We arrived at The Bull Hotel at 1540 and Albie & Gary were already in residence at the bar therefore we felt duly obliged to join them. Tearing ourselves away after a couple of pints of delightful Timothy Taylor, we arranged to meet for dinner later. Suitably refreshed, we enjoyed a lovely anniversary meal in the Restaurant and were duly joined later by Albie & Gary.
This was a delightful days walking and thankfully the weather stayed kind to us although remained overcast with the odd drizzly period for most of the day. Tomorrow sees the longest leg of the walk - 19 miles to the other side of Burneside.
This was a delightful days walking and thankfully the weather stayed kind to us although remained overcast with the odd drizzly period for most of the day. Tomorrow sees the longest leg of the walk - 19 miles to the other side of Burneside.
Overnight Accommodation
Bull Hotel, Sedbergh - http://www.bullhotelsedbergh.co.uk
Worst room of the week and that is saying something after Ribblehead. The room was massive but in desperate need of a refurb. Food was good though and the beer even better.
Worst room of the week and that is saying something after Ribblehead. The room was massive but in desperate need of a refurb. Food was good though and the beer even better.
Day 4 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Start
Finish
Cumulative Time
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Start
Finish
Cumulative Time
13.7 miles
59.2 miles
6 hrs 15m
0925
1540
25 hrs 15m
59.2 miles
6 hrs 15m
0925
1540
25 hrs 15m