Whernside

[chinksster]

This is the Hinks's 2nd family walk of the season actually together. Last year we managed the 2 other tallest Yorkshire Peaks so it was about time that we completed the 3.

We left the midlands nice and early after a good breakfast at 7.15 am. The 2 1/2 hour journey was pleasantly smooth considering the M6 roadworks at the minute.

We stopped off on the A65 at County Harvest, LA6 3PE http://www.country-harvest.co.uk/. Wonderful cakes, breads and gifts etc a good coffee shop too and the all important toilets when traveling with 3 ladies. A good tip for this walk as there are no toilets near the start of this route.

Ingleborough from County Harvest



We got to the car park on the B6255, Blea Moor Road, LA6 3AS, nearest the viaduct just to get the last space, few!



We headed off along the path to take a few pictures of the grand viaduct. An amazing structure for something so old.


We then headed up on the right side of the viaduct to do an anticlockwise route to Whernside. The walk up past Bleamoor sidings was pleasant and the od brook/stream crossing entertained the kiddies.

We crossed over the railway along the equally impressive aqueduct that reroutes Force Gill. Wow.





We then headed up Slack Hill to Grain Head where the cloud and British weather set back in once more!



The waterfalls looked great with all the recent rain.


Heading up towards Knoutberry Hill






We then headed in a southerly direction along the enscarpment that would be lovely on a clear day. We just managed to see the tarns before the cloud got thicker.
We finally got to the summit where we had a late lunch and a brew to warm up in the nice stone seating area. Very civilised.





As we finished our drinks and lunch the cloud started to lift again revealing some lovely views across the dales.

Looking toward Leck and Gragareth, 627m, iI think.


One side of Ingleborough, Park Fell, in the direction of Pen-y-Ghent


Descending Whernside to the south, Ingleborough in the distance.



Descending towards Bruntscar.




Lambing season, Lambs harassing their mothers in the pastures on the valley floor.



Gunnerfleet Farm





We then headed back under the viaduct and headed to the carpark. All done!

One final tip if you head off and head for Ingleton there are sone excellent toilets and ample car parking, nice pubs too. 45 mins 20p! An honest box to help the up keep of the toilets too. The residents of Ingleton pay for the upkeep themselves.





Failing this there is the cafe in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

[ChrisW]

What a lovely post for me Chinkster, you're really getting close to home for me with this one, and with my son and grandson just flying back to England after a fantastic holiday here with us it leaves me feeling the distance from home right now.

Blea Moor is a beautiful place (when it's not raining/misty or otherwise hidden away ) It's great to see the family after a 2.5hour journey with huge smiles on their faces no matter what the weather is doing, the spring lambs and early spring colour really bring something extra to the shots too, I love the blue skies over the viaduct, lovely photo

[martin.h]

Ahhh, Whernside, lovely hill, Your route is one we do on a fairly regular basis and always enjoy it. A good variation is to include Ingleborough and back to Ribblehead via Park Fell, head towards Ribblehead station off Park Fell, that avoids the traipse along the B6479 which could be a bit dicey with young ones, and it brings you out near the Station Inn, just right for cool drinks and nibbles.
A nice summers day walk with plenty of interest.

Great report, Thanks for posting.

[trailmasher]

Nice report chinksster despite the poor visibility to begin with and a good record of a nice day out with a happy looking family of young 'uns well done them