Whernside ~ Hard Walk

Distance Covered: 8 miles Time to Complete Walk 4.5 hours

Suitable for dog walking: No

Discover Yorkshires highest peak in this amazing challenging walk. The lessor known of the three Yorkshire Peaks, Whernside is the highest at 736 metres. Start the walk at the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct, then gradually make your way up on a clear path to the summit of Whernside. On a clear day you can spot the Lake District, but even on a cloudy day the views are breathtaking.

General Safety Tips:  This is a challenging walk, however, if you have a reasonable level of fitness it can still be done with regular breaks. Essential walking equipment for this walk is sturdy boots with a good grip, a walking stick and warm covering for when you reach the summit it can be cold and windy, even in the summer. Take plenty of water if it is a warm day though. The descent is down steep stepping stones - descend slowly using your walking stick.

The Whernside Walk

Getting There

From Middlesbrough follow the A66 to Darlington and then head onto the A1

southbound. Look for the Harrogate turn off which is junction 47. Follow the A59 through Harrogate itself and then stay on the A59 to Skipton. When you come into Skipton itself you can take a pitstop and then double back out of Skipton on the A65 or alternatively you can drive through Skipton and turn right onto the A629 and then take the exit on the roundabout onto the A65. Follow the A65 into the village of Ingleton. Take a right turning into Ingleton and follow the B6255 to the Ribblehead Viaduct. Parking can be found just after the road junction with the B6479 and is free of charge.

Maps of the Whernside Walk

 



The Walk

 

From the car park cross the road and follow the track towards the Ribblehead Viaduct. 

Follow a path to the right of the viaduct signposted to Whernside.

Climb up a path and follow the path which follows the railway for a while.

Go through a small gate and notice Whernside on your left in full view.

Keep on the path ignoring any turn offs as you stick with the railway on your left.

Passing Blea Moor station the path bends and another of Yorkshires Three Peaks, Ingleborough comes into your view in the distance.

Cross over a bridge and then follow the path over the railway line below.

Keep on the stone path and ahead you can see a waterfall.

Climb the stone steps onto a gravel path.

Go over a stile and keep on the path to Whernside.

A closer view of Whernside comes into your view as you keep on the path.

The path keeps climbing and a tarn - Greensett Tarn comes into view.

Keep climbing as the summit finally comes into view.

At the summit, squeeze through a gap in the wall and there is two shelters at the top for a well earned rest - and amazing views as well.

When you have had your hard earned break head to the right to start your descent and through a gate.

Follow the path as it descends, making good use of your walking stick and taking great care.

Go through a gate and keep on the path down.

Go through a large gate and head down to another gate below.

At the bottom head through the gate and follow a gate and signpost to Ribblehead Viaduct to your left.

Go through the field towards a farm and look for a path to your right and through another field.

Go through another gate and through another field.

In the field follow a grassy track down to another path and then follow the track ahead to your left.

Follow the path to the farmyard and then turn right and follow the signpost to the left of a farm building.

Follow this track and at a fork in the road keep ahead.

Follow the signpost to the Viaduct to the right and onto a path.

Turn left and go over a small bridge.

Follow the path as it bends to the right and the Ribblehead Viaduct comes into view. Go under the bridge and follow the path back to the car park.

Whernside

Whernside is a mountain in the Yorkshire Dales in Northern England. It is the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the other two being Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. It is the highest point in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire and the historic West Riding of Yorkshire with the summit lying on the county boundary with Cumbria. It is the fifteenth most prominent hill in England.

In shape Whernside forms a long ridge, running roughly north-north-east to south-south-west. The mountain is 6 miles (10 km) north west of Ingleton and 6 miles (10 km) north of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

The name, first recorded in 1208 as Querneside, is of Old English origin. It is derived from cweorn 'quern' or 'millstone' and sīde 'hillside', so means "hillside where millstones are found". The name is of the same origin as Great Whernside, 17 miles (27 km) to the east, with which it is sometimes confused.