Winterscales Beck – Bentham Footpath Group

Whernside from Ribblehead

8.2 miles | 13.2 km | 516 m Ascent | 10.8 Naismith miles | Alison Kinder & Colin Stroud
The Yorkshire Three Peaks are a marketing triumph, and perhaps something of a distraction: They are indeed in the Yorkshire Dales, and there is no doubt that each of the three make a great walk in their own right. Whether they are best combined and walked as gruelling challenge is more open to question.
Within the group we do have some super-fit heroic types who tackle all three at pace to raise money for charity, but they were unavailable on the day, so we sent the B* team to walk Whernside, taking as long as it takes, with plenty of stops to enjoy the views and have a chat. Add a glorious sunny day, and this is Dales walking as it should be. [* Bentham]

Ribblehead

Easy

5.7 miles | 9.2 km | 208 m Ascent | 6.8 Naismith miles | Graham Cooper
Bentham Footpath Group aims to offer a wide choice of walks, showcasing the wonderful area that we live in.
We start at the Ribblehead Viaduct – perhaps the most photographed structure in the Yorkshire Dales, and then set off as if we were heading up Whernside. Just before the Bleamoor signal box though we divert under the railway to track along the contours of Whernside at low level on flat(ish) ground and solid paths. This gives us great views toward Ingleborough.
When we meet the path coming back down from the top of Whernside, we go left down Philpin Lane to pick up the return path along the valley bottom to Haws Gill Wheel. This is the only part of the walk where we need to tread carefully as wet limestone can be slippery.
We follow Winterscales Beck all the way back to Gunnerfleet Farm and then back under the centre of the viaduct to complete the walk

Ribblehead Read More »