Great Whernside

[poppiesrara]

A short Dales walk on a perfect autumn afternoon.

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

From Kettlewell, busy this afternoon with the later finishers from a (very wet-looking) fell race, a lovely path heads up beside and (sometimes quite precariously) above Dowber Gill Beck to Providence Pot. This might be a spectacular cave below, but all the walker sees is a rather perfunctory manhole cover… Beautiful surroundings nonetheless though.

Dowber Gill

Down Dowber Gill

Dowber Gill Beck

Providence Pot

Great Whernside south ridge

Clear paths head out of the valley and then up over the rough moors to the surprisingly rocky summit area of Great Whernside, from where there are easy routes along the ridge to its northern outcrops.

Birks Fell over Hags Dyke

Great Whernside summit

North from Great Whernside summit rocks

Buckden Pike from Great Whernside

Blackfell Top

Back to Great Whernside

Start of descent path

The path down west to Tor Dike starts off very pleasantly on firm grass but – at least at the moment – then descends into a pretty lengthy swampy morass… Hard to see the obvious alternatives on the map, but this probably isn’t the best way down! It’s over fairly quickly though, and the nice green tracks that lead back down to Kettlewell from the far side of the road at least give you time to dry the marsh from your knees, while enjoying the great views back to the hills and down into Wharfedale.

Tor Dyke

Wharfedale over Diamond Hill

Fears Gill

Great Whernside

Rain Slack & Langcliffe

Wharfedale from Top Mere Road

Wharfedale

Kettlewell

[ChrisW]

Great report P, beautiful countryside (though I may be biased ) and some great photos that make me want to get back to the dales

[colgregg]

Great report Poppie. Not been up Gt whernside for around 20 years when on one crazy day I decided to do Malham from Coverdale. I walked over Little Whernside which was purgatory then onto Gt Whernside which was paradise by comparison. It was on this walk that I recieved the kindest gesture ever while out walking. Seeing I was struggling along the road around a mile from Kettlewell ( around mile 26 of 33) a guy offerd me a lift in an e-type Jag no less. I'd expected to be dropped off in the village but the guy actually went out of his way to drive me up to the top of Park Rash, to where Tor Dyke crosses, leaving me an easy 3 mile downhill ramble to my waiting lift. I've always believed that he saved me from having very serious repercussions due to my stupidity in trying to tackle such a distance on what was a very hot day. He even gave me a couple of cans of beer to drink as he dropped me off. What a pleasure it was sitting by the roadside recooperating. I'll always be eternally grateful for his generosity.

[37201xoIM]

Yes, I'd add my thanks too for sharing this excellent route - makes for a very pleasant afternoon's potter between buses, and shows Wharfedale's scenery at its very best.