Whernside, Circular Route

How to walk to Whernside

Directions (to be used in conjunction with a map)

1. Beginning at the parking area at Ribblehead Viaduct, take one of the obvious and wide stony tracks heading in the direction of the information plaque at the centre of the viaduct arches. There are loads of paths that will take you to this point, all of them clear and all of them surfaced.

2. If you want to, you can take the track that heads right up to the info stone to read about the viaduct, it curves round to the left, but the path you need for this walk heads straight on, it is signposted Whernside 4.5 miles. You will have the viaduct on your left hand side, and the path climbs up the bank to be along the side of the train tracks (these will be on your left).

3. Continue along the wide clear stony track, it heads through a wall then descends a little to a tunnel under the train tracks on your left (there is another tunnel before this point but ignore it, it’s the second one you want). The signpost is for public bridleway, Winterscales and you need to head under the arch and through the gate at the other side.

4. The clear path will take you to Winterscales Farm, where the track bends to the right and heads through a gate. You will pass farm buildings to your left and head through the farm yard then go over a little bridge, passing the farmhouse on your right. Keep on this track, it’s really well signposted.

5. You will soon reach another series of signposts at Scar Top. Continue straight on at this point, following the Public Bridleway sign for Scar End. You will head through another farm yard at this point. The route through is very clear and simply stick to the bridleway and follow the signs all the way through!

6. You will pass through several fields where the farmer has waymarked the route clearly, so there is no doubt where the footpath goes. You will pass the Broadrake Bunkbarns on your right and as you exit the following field (there is an outbuilding on the right hand side, right at the far edge of the field), you will head through a wooden footpath gate. Here you will see a set of Yorkshire Three Peaks sign posts to your right.

7. Turn right here and follow the route marked Whernside 1 and 3/4 miles. Here, is where your ascent begins. You will head through another gate and then begin to climb.

8. Again, you will find a very clear path, that in places has been flagged. Basically, follow that up, then up some more, then head through a wall (maybe take a breather) then head up and then….. UP!

9. You will reach the shoulder of Whernside, where the ‘up’ flattens out just a little and the path reaches a wall. Here, you will be able to see down into Kingsdale beyond and behind you, you will see Ingleborough. The path heads right and up again. It will keep going up with Ribblehead to your right and Kingsdale/ Deepdale to your left until you reach the summit.

10. You will see a large stone seat and beyond that, a gap in the wall to your left. The trig point is just through the gap here. The wall at the summit actually runs along the border between Cumbria and North Yorkshire, so in fact, the trig point of Whernside is in Cumbria (but still in the Yorkshire Dales National Park!) .

11. Once you have exhausted your summit photo opportunities (and possible picnic spot) head back through the wall to the path, that continues to closely follow the wall to your left, as it gradually descends. It will bend round to the right and then steepens a little before it eases off again. The path is clear all the way along as it meets the wall again and then once again bends round to the right as it joins the Dales High Way.

12. You will head over a stile in the wall where there is a signpost pointing towards Ribblehead 2 and 1/4 miles. Follow that. The path with head right alongside the boundary (which will also be on your right). Soon you will notice the waterfall of Force Gill on your right, you can see it at a distance from the path.

13. Force Gill is located on Open Access Land where you can exercise your right to roam and head off the main path to go and find it. You will see that many have done so before and as you pass through another perimeter, there is a small track that has been formed heading in the direction of the waterfall immediately to your right. Take this and keep walking until you get to the waterfall (this path can be a bit boggy in places). After exploring, head back to the main path again.

14. The path will go across the aqueduct over the Settle - Carlisle railway line and then heads right along the stony track. You will cross over a beck, pass the signal box, and head along the Blea Moor sidings back to the path where you began.

15. Head back along the track you first walked on and give yourself a well earned pat on the back for making that full 11 miles with the kids! (Maybe a post walk pint is in order!)

Last walked January 2024