Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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17th February 2013 - Great Whernside

Walk Details

​Distance walked: 9.1 miles

Total ascent: 2005 ft

OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas

Time taken: 6 hrs

Route description: Kettlewell-Dales Way-Starbotton-Starbotton Cam Road-Starbotton Road-Little Hunters Sleets-Blackfell Top-Great Whernside-Hag Dyke-Kettlewell

It's been a couple of years since my last visit to Great Whernside so I thought today was a good a time as any to make its reacquaintance. I like rocky summits and there aren't that many in the Dales to choose from but I got to visit one today plus the remains of the snow from a few days ago made this a great walk.

After leaving the car park in Kettlewell I followed the Dales Way up the valley to Starbotton. From Starbotton I made my way up and across the fellside on the tracks of Starbotton Cam Road and Starbotton Road to reach the road from Kettlewell over to Coverdale. I crossed the road and climbed Great Whernside. It was then straight down to Kettlewell passing the hostel of Hag Dyke on the way.

Route map
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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

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After parking in Kettlewell I'm going to follow the Dales Way up Wharfedale to Starbotton
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On the Dales Way
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Starbotton comes into view across a bend in the river
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Crossing the Wharfe to Starbotton
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Starbotton as I start to climb uphill on the track of Starbotton Cam Road
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A little higher and there's a wider view of Wharfedale
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A last shot up Wharfedale from Starbotton Cam Road. Birks Fell is on the left with the slopes of Buckden Pike on the right.
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My first view of the day of Great Whernside from the track of Starbotton Road. I'll follow this to reach the road from Kettlewell over to Coverdale.
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Heading for Great Whernside. Snow didn't get in the way very often today but it looked like there would have been some serious drifts to negotiate a few days ago.
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Finally it's time to tackle the climb to the summit. I was a little concerned about the unbroken band of snow below the summit but the people I passed who had made their way down through it assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. In the end it was the boggy ground that had to be crossed that was tricky.
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At the top of the climb and the summit comes into view. I'm going to head for the rocks of Blackfell Top on the left first.
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A hazy view from Blackfell Top across to Fountains Fell, Penyghent, Plover Hill and Firth Fell
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It's not easy to make out but that's Buckden Pike in the middle of the picture
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Fountains Fell, Penyghent, Plover Hill and Firth Fell from the summit of Great Whernside
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A very hazy view down Wharfedale
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Buckden Pike on the right
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A look back up to the summit as I head down to Kettlewell. That band of snow was tricky to cross.
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The buildings of Hag Dyke below
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The scout hostel of Hag Dyke
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As I head down to Kettlewell there are great views of Dowber Gill Beck to enjoy
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Beckside scenery in Kettlewell and..
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..a walk through the village back to the car park

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  • HOME
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  • Walking Diaries
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    • Walking Diary 2015
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    • Walking Diary 2013
    • Walking Diary 2012
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  • Lake District Walks
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