16th October 2022 - Great Knoutberry Hill
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.2 miles
Total ascent: 1885 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Dent Head Viaduct-Stone House-Pennine Bridleway-Galloway Gate-Pikes Edge-Great Knoutberry Hill-Widdale Great Tarn-Great Knoutberry Hill-Pennine Bridleway-Newby Head Gate-Dent Head Viaduct
Although the first time that I did this walk was in the spring, every occasion since has been in the autumn, and this year is no exception. Perhaps it's the colours that the countryside takes on at this time of year and the lengthening shadows that makes me decide that this is the best season for this walk. I've had pretty much perfect weather for the last few times that I've done this walk, not quite for today though. I set off from beneath the Dent Head Viaduct with blue skies and sunny spells which stayed with me into the early afternoon, when a strengthening wind brought thickening cloud that turned the sunshine increasingly hazy. There were fantastic views to enjoy from start to finish, with that of Dentdale from the bridleway along the side of Great Knoutberry Hill being the highlight.
From the layby below the Dent Head Viaduct I set off by walking along the road down into Dentdale to the hamlet of Stone House. The road was left behind for the Pennine Bridleway which passes Stonehouse Farm and heads up Arten Gill beneath the Arten Gill Viaduct. At its top I turned left and took the Galloway Gate bridleway (still part of the Pennine Bridleway), which I followed west and then north round the side of Great Knoutberry Hill. When it reached a gate at some sheepfolds and a fence I left the bridleway behind to follow the fence up to the cairns on Pikes Edge. Lunch was taken here and then it was uphill once more to the trig point on the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill. Once I'd taken in the view I decided to visit Widdale Great Tarn, and after returning to the trig point I continued by following the wall south off the summit and down to the byway that had made its way up from Widdale. A right turn and I was soon back to where I was earlier in the day, the top of the bridleway up Arten Gill. Here I turned left and took the bridleway that runs south across the side of Wold Fell and down to Newby Head Gate. Once at Newby Head Gate I just had the walk down the road into Dentdale to the Dent Head Viaduct to finish.
Total ascent: 1885 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Dent Head Viaduct-Stone House-Pennine Bridleway-Galloway Gate-Pikes Edge-Great Knoutberry Hill-Widdale Great Tarn-Great Knoutberry Hill-Pennine Bridleway-Newby Head Gate-Dent Head Viaduct
Although the first time that I did this walk was in the spring, every occasion since has been in the autumn, and this year is no exception. Perhaps it's the colours that the countryside takes on at this time of year and the lengthening shadows that makes me decide that this is the best season for this walk. I've had pretty much perfect weather for the last few times that I've done this walk, not quite for today though. I set off from beneath the Dent Head Viaduct with blue skies and sunny spells which stayed with me into the early afternoon, when a strengthening wind brought thickening cloud that turned the sunshine increasingly hazy. There were fantastic views to enjoy from start to finish, with that of Dentdale from the bridleway along the side of Great Knoutberry Hill being the highlight.
From the layby below the Dent Head Viaduct I set off by walking along the road down into Dentdale to the hamlet of Stone House. The road was left behind for the Pennine Bridleway which passes Stonehouse Farm and heads up Arten Gill beneath the Arten Gill Viaduct. At its top I turned left and took the Galloway Gate bridleway (still part of the Pennine Bridleway), which I followed west and then north round the side of Great Knoutberry Hill. When it reached a gate at some sheepfolds and a fence I left the bridleway behind to follow the fence up to the cairns on Pikes Edge. Lunch was taken here and then it was uphill once more to the trig point on the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill. Once I'd taken in the view I decided to visit Widdale Great Tarn, and after returning to the trig point I continued by following the wall south off the summit and down to the byway that had made its way up from Widdale. A right turn and I was soon back to where I was earlier in the day, the top of the bridleway up Arten Gill. Here I turned left and took the bridleway that runs south across the side of Wold Fell and down to Newby Head Gate. Once at Newby Head Gate I just had the walk down the road into Dentdale to the Dent Head Viaduct to finish.
Route map
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Driving down into Dentdale and I had to pull over and take a photo of the Dent Head Viaduct. I'll be walking back down here later, but I thought it would be interesting to see how the time of day made a difference to how it looked. I'm glad that I did stop, the sunshine had disappeared by the middle of the afternoon.
Walking down the road to Stone House in Dentdale..
I soon have the River Dee for company as it heads downstream alongside the road
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The river drops over numerous rocky ledges, which gives me plenty of photo opportunities...
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In the hamlet of Stone House
I join the Pennine Bridleway at Stonehouse Farm and follow the track up Arten Gill beneath the Arten Gill Viaduct
Looking back down to Stone House in Dentdale
As I make my way up the Pennine Bridleway the view gradually opens up...
Whernside, Great Coum and Middleton Fell in the distance as I near the top of Arten Gill
At the top of Arten Gill I join the Galloway Gate bridleway that runs along the western slopes of Great Knoutberry Hill. The views from this across Dentdale and its surrounding fells are fantastic..
Ingleborough, Whernside, and Great Coum, with Arten Gill and the Arten Gill Viaduct below
As I continue west along the bridleway the view down Dentdale starts to reveal itself
Further along and the sprawling bulk of Baugh Fell appears ahead
It's the view of Dentdale, and the fells of Great Coum, Middleton Fell and Aye Gill Pike to my left that has my attention
The flat top of Wild Boar Fell is now in sight to the right of Baugh Fell
A last shot of Dentdale before I leave the bridleway and head up Great Knoutberry Hill
Great Coum, Dentdale, Middleton Fell and Aye Gill Pike as I follow the fence up to Pikes Edge on Great Knoutberry Hill
Wild Boar Fell to the north as I reach Pikes Edge. I can make out the North Pennines in the distance to its right.
The boulders and cairns on Pikes Edge make a good spot to stop for lunch. Although this one is half the height it was last year, it still provides some shelter from the wind.
Ingleborough and Whernside from Pikes Edge
Aye Gill Pike, the southern Howgills, and the bulky Baugh Fell to the northwest
Great Coum, Dentdale, Middleton Fell, and Aye Gill Pike round to the southern slopes of the Howgills
I leave Pikes Edge and continue to follow the fence up to the summit
It isn't easy not to stop every few steps to turn round and take in that view
To my left as I follow the fence, there's Wild Boar Fell and High Seat above the valley of Mallerstang
At the trig point on the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill, with part of the Howgills, Baugh Fell and Wild Boar Fell behind it
Penyghent and Ingleborough, with Wold Fell below
Ingleborough, Whernside and Great Coum
Looking east down into Widdale and Wensleydale. I'll follow this fence to reach Widdale Great Tarn.
High Seat, Great Shunner Fell, and Lovely Seat in the distance beyond Widdale Great Tarn and Widdale Fell
By the windswept Widdale Great Tarn
Looking back to Great Knoutberry Hill
Wild Boar Fell from Widdale Great Tarn
Whernside, Great Coum, and Middleton Fell as I make it back to the trig point
Penyghent, Wold Fell, and Ingleborough as I follow the wall from the summit down to Arten Gill Moss
Looking towards Widdale and Wensleydale from the top of the bridleway on Arten Gill Moss
As I leave the open fell I take the bridleway towards the top of Arten Gill
At the junction of bridleways I was at earlier in the day, and this time I take the one to Newby Head Road
Looking down Widdale to Wensleydale
Ingleborough ahead as I follow the bridleway across the side of Wold Fell
A short detour from the bridleway was required to reach the top of Wold Fell. Although it's very flat there's a good view with Aye Gill Pike, the Howgills and Baugh Fell to the northwest.
Following the bridleway down to Newby Head Road
From Newby Head Gate I have a walk down the road to the Dent Head Viaduct to finish with
and that includes a great view of the Dent Head Viaduct, which would be better than I had in the morning if the sun was still out