Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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19th July 2020 - Whernside

Walk Details

​Distance walked: 13.3 miles

Total ascent: 1847 ft

OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas

Time taken: 7 hrs

Route description: Ribblehead-Gunnerfleet Farm-Ivescar-Bruntscar-Ellerbeck-Blake Bank-Scales Moor-West Fell-Combe Scar-Whernside-Whernside Tarns-Dales High Way-Ribblehead


It's been a few months since I was last on the high fells, and I was in two minds about whether it should be Ingleborough or Whernside that I would visit today. In the end I plumped for Whernside and I route that I've done before, taking in the fell's southwest ridge and Whernside Tarns. For most of the time this is a quiet walk, which is what I'm looking for, except for when it coincides with the popular route up from Ribblehead, and unsurprisingly that part was very busy today. It was a bright and fresh summer's day for my return to the high fells, with a mix of sunny spells, fair weather clouds and a strong westerly breeze. The definite highlight of the day was the view from the cairns on the hillside near Whernside Tarns.

From the laybys at Ribblehead I set off by taking the track to and under the viaduct to reach Gunnerfleet Farm. Here I turned right onto the byway to Winterscales and when that came to an end I turned left onto the bridleway to Scar End. I followed this southwest past Ivescar, Broadrake, Bruntscar and Ellerbeck to reach the moorland of Blake Bank and Scales Moor. It was at this point that I decided to find a convenient place to get onto Whernside's southwest ridge. Once on it there was a long, gradual ascent up West Fell and Combe Scar (a convenient place to have lunch was found here) to finally arrive on the summit of Whernside. After taking in the view I continued by taking the main path back to Ribblehead as it heads north but just before it turns to the right and goes downhill I crossed a stile to gain access to the moorland where Whernside Tarns are situated. A fairly clear path heads north towards them and the cairns beyond. I then had to head north again to the right of the easternmost of a set of enclosures to the find the trail of the Dales High Way. I followed this east then south, down Little Dale, and all the way to Bleamoor Sidings before leaving it for the path back to Ribblehead.

Route map
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The Ribblehead Viaduct and Whernside as I set off from Ribblehead
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On the bridleway to Gunnerfleet Farm
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Park Fell, Simon Fell and Ingleborough behind Gunnerfleet Farm
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On the bridleway past Ivescar Farm
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Simon Fell and Ingleborough
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Small Scabious eke out an existence on a limestone boulder
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The Ribblehead Viaduct can still be seen in the distance
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Whernside above Ellerbeck
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The bridleway to Scar End heads across Blake Bank Moss
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Looking back to a distant Ribblehead Viaduct
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Ingleborough from the limestone pavement on Scales Moor
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Time to start the long climb to Whernside's distant summit
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Looking back down the ridge to Scar End, and a distant Forest of Bowland, as I reach West Fell..
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..and across Chapel-le-Dale to Ingleborough
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The summit of Whernside is now in sight
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Ingleborough as I reach Combe Scar
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The Howgills visible through the gap in the hills taken by the Kingsdale to Deepdale road
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A great view across Chapel-le-Dale to Ingleborough as I reach the final climb to the summit
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Whernside's steep east face
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Looking down the summit ridge to the Forest of Bowland in the distance
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The Ribblehead Viaduct below
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Ingleborough from the summit of Whernside
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It's very busy up here today. Not that surprising given that it's the time of year when Yorkshire Three Peaks walks are done. I find a spot on the quiet side of the summit wall to take in the view.
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Gragareth, Green Hill and Great Coum to the west
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Great Coum, the Howgills and some distant Lake District fells to the northwest
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Wild Boar Fell, High Seat, Great Shunner Fell and Lovely Seat to the north
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Back on the other side of the summit wall. Greensett Tarn below, with Great Shunner Fell, Great Knoutberry Hill, Lovely Seat, Wold Fell and Dodd Fell Hill in the distance.
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Aye Gill Pike, Baugh Fell, Wild Boar Fell, High Seat, Great Shunner Fell and Great Knoutberry Hill as I head north from the summit
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The main path has been left behind for the one to Whernside Tarns. Looking east to Dodd Fell Hill and Cam Fell.
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Baugh Fell, High Seat, Great Shunner Fell and Great Knoutberry Hill as I cross moorland to Whernside Tarns
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Great views from the windswept Whernside Tarns.....
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Two cairns on the shoulder of the moor above Deepdale have a fantastic view down Dentdale. It's the definite highlight of the walk and I spend a good thirty minutes here as the weather improves and more in the way of sunshine comes across.........
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Looking towards the fells around Garsdale Head and Great Knoutberry Hill
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One last shot of that view
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Heading north down to the track of the Craven Way
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On the track of the Craven Way to Little Dale
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Penyghent, Ribblesdale and Ingleborough come into view
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The lower waterfall in Force Gill..
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Park Fell, Simon Fell and Ingleborough as I head down Little Dale
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The entrance to the Bleamoor Tunnel as I cross the Settle to Carlisle line
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Heading back to Ribblehead..
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The Ribblehead Viaduct..
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The Ribblehead Viaduct and Whernside as I arrive back at Ribblehead

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2023                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • HOME
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  • Walking Diaries
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    • Walking Diary 2018
    • Walking Diary 2017
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    • Walking Diary 2015
    • Walking Diary 2014
    • Walking Diary 2013
    • Walking Diary 2012
    • Walking Diary 2011
    • Walking Diary 2010
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  • Lake District Walks
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