Great Shunner Fell - 27 June 2018
Route
Skeugh Head Lane - Robin's Seat Edge - Blackburn Edge - Pennine Way - Great Shunner Fell - Thwaite - Dirty Piece - Angram - Skeugh Head Lane
Parking
We started directly from our holiday cottage on Skeugh Head Lane however the walk can be started from Thwaite (DL11 6DR) or Angram (DL11 6DT) where there is limited verge parking available.
Mileage
8 miles
Terrain
Established paths for the most part with quiet lanes. The section from leaving Skeugh Head Lane to joining the Pennine Way via Blackburn Edge is on an intermittent path. In poor visibility, the ability to navigate competently is vital.
Weather
Extremely warm even at first light.
Time Taken
4hrs 15mins
Total Ascent
1896ft (578m)
Map
OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central Areas (Wensleydale & Swaledale)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Skeugh Head Lane - Robin's Seat Edge - Blackburn Edge - Pennine Way - Great Shunner Fell - Thwaite - Dirty Piece - Angram - Skeugh Head Lane
Parking
We started directly from our holiday cottage on Skeugh Head Lane however the walk can be started from Thwaite (DL11 6DR) or Angram (DL11 6DT) where there is limited verge parking available.
Mileage
8 miles
Terrain
Established paths for the most part with quiet lanes. The section from leaving Skeugh Head Lane to joining the Pennine Way via Blackburn Edge is on an intermittent path. In poor visibility, the ability to navigate competently is vital.
Weather
Extremely warm even at first light.
Time Taken
4hrs 15mins
Total Ascent
1896ft (578m)
Map
OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central Areas (Wensleydale & Swaledale)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
GPX File
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Route Map
Sun is just up as we leave our holiday cottage on Skeugh Head Lane in Angram.
Today was forecasted as an extremely hot day therefore we were out of the door at 0545 - it was warm already.
Today was forecasted as an extremely hot day therefore we were out of the door at 0545 - it was warm already.
Heading up Skeugh Head Lane - not a cloud in the sky as we look over towards Muker & Ivelet Side.
Leaving Skeugh Head Lane, the route follows a rough path alongside a wall up to Robin's Seat Edge
Whilst the path is intermittent in places the wall provides a good handrail
Great Shunner Fell comes into view as we leave the safety of the wall and strike out across Blackburn Edge to the Pennine Way
We were now on the Pennine Way.
We last walked this section (in the opposite direction) in 2015 during our Pennine Way walk. For anyone considering undertaking a long distance walk then the Pennine Way is certainly a challenge. A blog of our walk can be found here
We last walked this section (in the opposite direction) in 2015 during our Pennine Way walk. For anyone considering undertaking a long distance walk then the Pennine Way is certainly a challenge. A blog of our walk can be found here
Cairns guide the way as we continue on to Great Shunner Fell
There are quite a few of these large "stone men" cairns dotted about. They were more than likely built by shepherd's.
2015
2018
As can be seen, the weather today was a tad different to when we were here last
That's right Fudge - you cool those paws off
The summit cross shelter on Great Shunner Fell. The Trig Point forms part of the cross shelter and can be seen to the right.
At 2349ft the fell is the third highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales after Whernside and Ingleborough. It stands on the broad watershed between Wensleydale and Swaledale, is over eight miles long and is approximately three and a half miles wide from the Buttertubs Pass in the east to the col with the Mallerstang fells to the west.
At 2349ft the fell is the third highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales after Whernside and Ingleborough. It stands on the broad watershed between Wensleydale and Swaledale, is over eight miles long and is approximately three and a half miles wide from the Buttertubs Pass in the east to the col with the Mallerstang fells to the west.
Ingleborough way in the distance in the centre of shot
Angie & Fudge in silhouette on the summit of Great Shunner Fell
We arrived on the summit at 0715 and unsurprisingly there was nobody about
Time for Fudge's breakfast prior to leaving for Thwaite
The Wensleydale Round Table Plaque which is set into the cross shelter on the summit.
Despite a bit of research, I can only assume they built the cross shelter and then left the stone plaque there on completion.
Despite a bit of research, I can only assume they built the cross shelter and then left the stone plaque there on completion.
From Great Shunner Fell we about turned and headed back the way we came towards Thwaite
Another "stone man" as we descend into Thwaite
Stock Dale & Lovely Seat from above Thwaite
One way of keeping your corrugated roof on I suppose
Descending into Thwaite looking to Kisdon Hill
We were still on the Pennine Way as we reached Thwaite and would leave the trail once we passed through the village
Arriving in Thwaite - there is a cracking Tea Room in the village but we were way too early
Once through Thwaite we parted company with the Pennine Way and headed towards Keld.
The Pennine Way continues on to Keld but via North Gang Scar along the eastern flank of Kisdon Hill.
The Pennine Way continues on to Keld but via North Gang Scar along the eastern flank of Kisdon Hill.
Looking back to Thwaite
A panorama from Thwaite looking to Kisdon Hill. Our path goes to the left with the Pennine Way over to the right
Bellies in!!
This part of the walk was curiously called Dirty Piece.
The flags were laid by the Yorkshire Dales Rangers in 2017 as this section used to be extremely boggy.
The flags were laid by the Yorkshire Dales Rangers in 2017 as this section used to be extremely boggy.
Once we were the other side of Dirty Piece the going was along a gentle incline of grassy swathe
Almost back now as we enter Angram, which translates as "grazing land" in Old English
What a cracking walk that was - did not see a soul and back in the cottage for 1000 and breakfast