Length : 18.2 km (11.3 mi) [longer and shorter walks possible, see below]
Ascent /Descent: 601/636m
Net Walking Time : 5 hours
Toughness : 6 out of 10
Take the 09.20 Carlisle train from Leeds City Station (Shipley 09.38, […], Settle 10.21, […]), arrives Dent at 10.47.
Return trains: 16.15, 17.43, 19.48, 21.45.
This fairly easy route (for a mountain walk) starts at England’s highest operational mainline station and rises steeply along a quiet road to the 500m above sea level. You then follow the Pennine Bridleway along the contour around Great Knoutberry Hill before turning left up the grassy slope to its summit at 672m above sea level (a shortcut cuts out the ascent). From the top – in good weather – you have fantastic views past Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang into the Vale of Eden, as well as to the Yorkshire Dales peaks and some of its valleys.
A short and easy descent leads to a grassy track that skirts around the top of Wold Fell before dropping to a road. Turn easterly across to Dentdale for views of Dent Head railway viaduct, one of three seen on the route. A scenic ascent up to Blea Moor follows and you cross the moor on a good track which follows the line of the Blea Moor Railway Tunnel beneath. This very quiet stretch enchants with views of Whernside and Ingleborough, some meandering streams as well as the spoil heaps associated with the build of the tunnel and its airshafts. You then briefly share the usually busy route of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, but soon enough turn off it for a scenic loop along a beck and through pastures towards and under the famous Ribblehead Viaduct.
Most of the route uses good paths or tracks, with only the stretch over the top of Great Knoutberry Hill being trackless, but even that is overly bog and tussock-free.
Walk Options:
An out-and-back from the top of Great Knoutberry Hill along its north easterly flank (Widdale Fell) of up to 6 km each-way enables fine views into Widdale and Wensleydale, the valley of the River Ure.
The Pennine Bridleway, a waymarked Long-Distance Path, contours the flank of Great Knoutberry Hill about 150m below its summit, cutting that amount of ascent and avoiding clouds or mist in inclement weather.
A more direct route near the end along the railway line cuts 1.1 km distance but also the drama of walking underneath the famous Ribblehead Viaduct and a scenic stretch along the Winterscales Beck.
Lunch : Picnic.
Tea :
Station Inn – Ribblehead Open all day every day. Food served all day every day. Located 200m from the end of the walk.
For
walk directions,
map,
height profile,
photos and
gpx/kml files click
here . T=swc.437