Whernside - Thursday 6 October 2016
Route
Ribblehead - Blea Moor Sidings - Little Dale - Grain Ings - Whernside - Skelside - Bruntscar - Winterscales Beck - Ribblehead Viaduct - Ribblehead
Parking
Ribblehead at the junction of the B6479 & B6255 (Free) - Grid Ref SD 76537930 (Nearest Post Code is LA6 3AS)
Mileage
8.4 miles
Terrain
Well used mountain paths throughout.
Weather
Overcast with sunny spells. It was extremely windy on the summit ridge and bitterly cold.
Time Taken
4hrs
Total Ascent
1886ft (575m)
Map
OL2 - Yorkshire Dales (Southern & Western Areas)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Ribblehead - Blea Moor Sidings - Little Dale - Grain Ings - Whernside - Skelside - Bruntscar - Winterscales Beck - Ribblehead Viaduct - Ribblehead
Parking
Ribblehead at the junction of the B6479 & B6255 (Free) - Grid Ref SD 76537930 (Nearest Post Code is LA6 3AS)
Mileage
8.4 miles
Terrain
Well used mountain paths throughout.
Weather
Overcast with sunny spells. It was extremely windy on the summit ridge and bitterly cold.
Time Taken
4hrs
Total Ascent
1886ft (575m)
Map
OL2 - Yorkshire Dales (Southern & Western Areas)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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GPX File
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Route Map
The walk starts from the junction of the B6479 & B6255 a few hundred yards north east of The Station Inn.
As always with popular walks it is best to get here early, particularly at weekends. Whernside makes up 1 stage of the popular Yorkshire 3 Peaks (Y3P) Challenge Walk and therefore the route gets extremely busy. I completed the Y3P in 2013 and a blog of the walk is here.
As always with popular walks it is best to get here early, particularly at weekends. Whernside makes up 1 stage of the popular Yorkshire 3 Peaks (Y3P) Challenge Walk and therefore the route gets extremely busy. I completed the Y3P in 2013 and a blog of the walk is here.
Whilst he has been here many times, Fudge eyed the Ribblehead Viaduct with suspicion
You would think that signs like this were a tad officious and not required. Unfortunately they are very much required!
Whernside ahead with the Ribblehead Viaduct to the left.
You would be right in thinking that from here the summit of Whernside does not look as far as 4 and a half miles away. As the crow flies it is just over 2 miles - we would be walking in a big loop in order to attain the summit.
You would be right in thinking that from here the summit of Whernside does not look as far as 4 and a half miles away. As the crow flies it is just over 2 miles - we would be walking in a big loop in order to attain the summit.
The Ribblehead Viaduct
Also known as the Batty Moss Viaduct, this impressive structure carries the Settle to Carlisle railway across Batty Moss. It was built by the Midland Railway and is a Grade II listed structure. The viaduct is the longest and the third tallest structure on the Settle–Carlisle line and was designed by John Sydney Crossley who was the Chief Engineer of the Midland Railway. He was responsible for the design and construction of all major structures along the line. The viaduct was necessitated by the challenging terrain of the route and construction began in late 1869. It necessitated a large workforce of up to 2,300 men, most of whom lived in small shanty towns set up near its base. Over 100 men lost their lives during its construction and many are buried in the nearby church at Chapel le Dale. The Settle to Carlisle line was the last main railway in Britain to be constructed primarily with manual labour.
Also known as the Batty Moss Viaduct, this impressive structure carries the Settle to Carlisle railway across Batty Moss. It was built by the Midland Railway and is a Grade II listed structure. The viaduct is the longest and the third tallest structure on the Settle–Carlisle line and was designed by John Sydney Crossley who was the Chief Engineer of the Midland Railway. He was responsible for the design and construction of all major structures along the line. The viaduct was necessitated by the challenging terrain of the route and construction began in late 1869. It necessitated a large workforce of up to 2,300 men, most of whom lived in small shanty towns set up near its base. Over 100 men lost their lives during its construction and many are buried in the nearby church at Chapel le Dale. The Settle to Carlisle line was the last main railway in Britain to be constructed primarily with manual labour.
The sidings & signal box at Blea Moor
The path continues along the eastern side of Whernside, the slopes of which are up to the left
Looking back along the path to Ingleborough
The waterfall cascades at Force Gill
Just over 3 miles in and it was time to turn west at Grain Ings to begin the ascent of Whernside
Ascending Whernside.
The terrain here is extremely good and the gradient is pretty easy and never feels that steep.
The terrain here is extremely good and the gradient is pretty easy and never feels that steep.
Looking back at our route of ascent from the turning at Grain Ings.
The foot traffic that this path gets necessitates the using of stone slabs on some sections. It is clear that a lot of work goes into the maintenance of this popular route.
The foot traffic that this path gets necessitates the using of stone slabs on some sections. It is clear that a lot of work goes into the maintenance of this popular route.
Zooming in on Arten Gill Viaduct with Great Knoutberry Hill above
Moss Tarn below Whernside
The path eventually reaches Whernside's north ridge just south of Knoutberry Hill
The Howgills
A glorious panorama from near the summit of Whernside
The final ascent to Whernside's summit.
By this time we had donned our light jackets as the wind really was blowing quite fiercely on the ridge.
By this time we had donned our light jackets as the wind really was blowing quite fiercely on the ridge.
Angie & Fudge approaching Whernside's summit
The summit of Whernside
Whernside summit all to ourselves.
The summit has two stone shelters either side of a wall that runs along the summit ridge. The opening to the right allows people to pass from one side of the wall to the other.
The summit has two stone shelters either side of a wall that runs along the summit ridge. The opening to the right allows people to pass from one side of the wall to the other.
Whernside's summit and the northern stone shelter
Come on Fudge - through you come
The southern shelter on Whernside's summit
Looking to the first of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Pen-y-ghent with the slopes of Ingleborough & Simon Fell to the right.
When people undertake the Y3P the most popular start point is the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale and then up to Pen-y-ghent, over to Whernside then finally Ingleborough. No matter where you start it is still 25 miles!!
When people undertake the Y3P the most popular start point is the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale and then up to Pen-y-ghent, over to Whernside then finally Ingleborough. No matter where you start it is still 25 miles!!
Continuing along Whernside's summit ridge looking over to Ingleborough
No, not that way Fudge
Ribblehead Viaduct below - our route back would be from right to left
The route continues along the ridge.
In mist it is important to be on top of your navigation as the turn off point for Bruntscar Farm is easily missed. We would have no problem today.
In mist it is important to be on top of your navigation as the turn off point for Bruntscar Farm is easily missed. We would have no problem today.
The steep descent down to Bruntscar Farm from Whernside's summit ridge - it is worth taking your time when the rock is wet or icy.
Another view of Ribblehead Viaduct - a bit nearer this time.
Looking back at our route of descent from Whernside's summit ridge
Heading along the access track to Gunnerfleet Farm
Approaching Ribblehead Viaduct
Three of the 24 arches that make up the Viaduct.
Considering the viaduct was built using manual labour, it is a remarkable piece of construction
Considering the viaduct was built using manual labour, it is a remarkable piece of construction
The commemorative plaque beneath Ribblehead Viaduct.
The plaque was placed here to commemorate the building of Ribblehead viaduct in 1875 and its restoration in 1991. The top of the plaque has thankfully been replaced since being stolen, probably for scrap, sometime ago.
The plaque was placed here to commemorate the building of Ribblehead viaduct in 1875 and its restoration in 1991. The top of the plaque has thankfully been replaced since being stolen, probably for scrap, sometime ago.
Heading back to the Car Park after a superb walk