23rd December 2024 - Great Whernside
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.5 miles
Total ascent: 1983 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 5.5 hrs
Route description: Kettlewell-Scabbate Gate-Hag Dyke Hostel-Great Whernside-Blackfell Top-Black Dike End-Hunters Sleets-Starbotton Road-Starbotton Cam Road-Starbotton-Dales Way-Kettlewell
I couldn't resist the briefest of opportunities for a walk in snow today. Colder weather had dusted the tops of the fells in it, and with it set to turn much milder later today and for Christmas this was probably the only chance that I'd get for a while. The choice of destination was limited though, a high fell and to the east to keep ahead of the deteriorating weather for as long as possible. Great Whernside from Kettlewell it is then. It was already pretty dull and overcast when I set off from Kettlewell, worse than I expected it to be from the forecast, but there was still a bit of brightness in the sky and the tops of the fells were free from cloud. I made it up to the summit of Great Whernside in time to get a view with a light cover of snow on the ground. By the time that I'd made it down to the Kettlewell to Coverdale road light snow had started to fall. For the rest of the day it was dull and overcast, low cloud descended to cover the fells, and there was a little light rain every now and then.
From the National Park car park in Kettlewell I walked through the village, onto the lane of Scabbate Gate, and then up the bridleway to the Hag Dyke Hostel. Once through the grounds of the hostel I took the footpath up to the summit of Great Whernside. After taking in the view I made my way north along the summit ridge to Blackfell Top and Black Dike End, before taking the footpath down to Hunters Sleets and the road across to Coverdale. Once down I crossed the road for the path along Tor Dike, and then the bridleways of Starbotton Road and Starbotton Cam Road took me down to the village of Starbotton, where I stopped for lunch. Break had, I then crossed the road through the village, took the bridleway down to the footbridge over the River Wharfe, and once across that I followed the Dales Way south back to Kettlewell.
Total ascent: 1983 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 5.5 hrs
Route description: Kettlewell-Scabbate Gate-Hag Dyke Hostel-Great Whernside-Blackfell Top-Black Dike End-Hunters Sleets-Starbotton Road-Starbotton Cam Road-Starbotton-Dales Way-Kettlewell
I couldn't resist the briefest of opportunities for a walk in snow today. Colder weather had dusted the tops of the fells in it, and with it set to turn much milder later today and for Christmas this was probably the only chance that I'd get for a while. The choice of destination was limited though, a high fell and to the east to keep ahead of the deteriorating weather for as long as possible. Great Whernside from Kettlewell it is then. It was already pretty dull and overcast when I set off from Kettlewell, worse than I expected it to be from the forecast, but there was still a bit of brightness in the sky and the tops of the fells were free from cloud. I made it up to the summit of Great Whernside in time to get a view with a light cover of snow on the ground. By the time that I'd made it down to the Kettlewell to Coverdale road light snow had started to fall. For the rest of the day it was dull and overcast, low cloud descended to cover the fells, and there was a little light rain every now and then.
From the National Park car park in Kettlewell I walked through the village, onto the lane of Scabbate Gate, and then up the bridleway to the Hag Dyke Hostel. Once through the grounds of the hostel I took the footpath up to the summit of Great Whernside. After taking in the view I made my way north along the summit ridge to Blackfell Top and Black Dike End, before taking the footpath down to Hunters Sleets and the road across to Coverdale. Once down I crossed the road for the path along Tor Dike, and then the bridleways of Starbotton Road and Starbotton Cam Road took me down to the village of Starbotton, where I stopped for lunch. Break had, I then crossed the road through the village, took the bridleway down to the footbridge over the River Wharfe, and once across that I followed the Dales Way south back to Kettlewell.
Route map
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.
I leave Kettlewell via the lane of Scabbate Gate, and take the bridleway up to the Hag Dyke Hostel..
Looking back down towards Kettlewell
The upper slopes of Great Whernside come into view
Arriving at the Hag Dyke Hostel
Looking back down on the hostel
Onwards and upwards
An increase in the number of boulders is a sure sign that the summit isn't far to go
To my right, looking south along the western slopes of Great Whernside to Barden Moor in the distance
Birks Fell on the other side of Wharfedale on the left, and Buckden Pike on the right
At the trig point on Great Whernside
Looking north to Blackfell Top with Buckden Pike on the left
I can still make out Fountains Fell, Penyghent, and Plover Hill in the distance. Not for much longer though, the thickening cloud is bringing a deterioration in the visibility.
Looking south down Wharfedale to Barden Moor and the countryside around Grassington
and along the summit ridge to the south top
Making my way north to Blackfell Top
The ridge to Little Whernside over the fence to my right
Looking back to the summit of Great Whernside from Blackfell Top
Buckden Pike on the left, and the moorland ridge to Nidd Head and Little Whernside
Looking back to Blackfell Top from Black Dike End..
Looking east to Angram and Scar House Reservoirs at the top of Nidderdale
From Black Dike End I follow the wall downhill..
..and take the footpath down to Hunters Sleets
Across the Kettlewell to Coverdale road
After crossing the road I follow the path across Hunters Sleets and along the top of Tor Dike. Light snow has started to fall.
Looking back to Great Whernside from Hunters Sleets
and down the valley of Cam Gill Beck
Making my way along the top of Tor Dike
Looking across to Great Whernside
Following the bridleway of Starbotton Cam Road down to Starbotton....
From Starbotton I take the bridleway down to the footbridge over the River Wharfe
Crossing the River Wharfe
Views of Wharfedale as I follow the Dales Way south to Kettlewell......
A last look back up Wharfedale on what is now a gloomy winter's afternoon
Across the bridge over the River Wharfe to return to Kettlewell