Whernside — Local services in Ingleton

Whernside, the tallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, offers an awe-inspiring hike that is both rewarding and breathtaking. This iconic trail invites hikers to experience the majestic beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, with panoramic views that stretch as far as the eye can see.

The hike to Whernside begins with a gentle ascent through lush green fields and charming stone walls, gradually revealing the rugged grandeur of the landscape. As you climb higher, the vistas become increasingly spectacular, showcasing the rolling hills and serene valleys that make this region so beloved.

Reaching the summit of Whernside is a moment of pure exhilaration. Standing at the highest point in the Yorkshire Dales, you are greeted with sweeping views that capture the essence of England’s natural beauty. On a clear day, you can see the other peaks in the Three Peaks challenge, as well as the winding Ribblehead Viaduct below, adding a touch of historical intrigue to the scenic splendour.

During one of my hikes, I reached the peak just as the cloud base settled, enveloping me in a mystical layer of fog. This ethereal mist added a surreal and magical quality to the experience, transforming the landscape into a scene straight out of a fantasy novel.

The trail itself is well-maintained, making it accessible to hikers of varying abilities. The journey offers a wonderful mix of challenging sections and more relaxed stretches, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all. Along the way, you'll encounter fellow hikers, all drawn by the allure of Whernside's majestic heights.

Whernside holds a special place in my heart, as I’ve hiked it numerous times, both as a child and as an adult. Each journey brings new discoveries and a deeper appreciation for this incredible landscape. The sense of achievement and the stunning views from the top, often shrouded in mystical fog, are unmatched, making it a hike that calls me back time and again.

For those seeking a hike that combines physical challenge with unparalleled natural beauty, the Whernside hike is an absolute must. It's more than just a walk; it's an adventure that leaves you with lasting memories and a profound connection to the stunning...

A trip up to the summit of Whernside is a life affirming experience.

This review is of the most commonly used route - from Ribblehead. From the road, you pass alongside the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct on a well-marked track. There follows a long and quite arduous climb alongside the railway line, past a historic signal box, a waterfall and up to an aquaduct. Then the path continues over the railway and loops up onto the shoulder of Whernside.

As you climb, the vista grows ever more impressive, particularly once Greensett Tarn comes into view.

The path eventually leads along the ridge towards the summit. From this point you have the most amazing views north/north west towards the Howgill Fells, North Pennines and Lake District. To the west the coast at Morecambe Bay and Blackpool can be seen. To the south is the wide expanse of Ribblesdale; the viaduct, farms and cars parked in the valley looking like part of a model village. Ingleborough, Pen Y Ghent and Pendle Hill are all visible across the valley.

The descent towards Winterscales is gentle at first but has a few steep sections where care is needed. But the path is well defined throughout.

Once in the valley, the route takes you left back towards the viaduct. Again, the path is well marked so it’s easy to follow.

Allow at least 4 hours for this route. Remember it’s over 700 metres at the summit, so will most likely be significantly cooler than in the valley. Suitable footwear is also essential as the path is rocky and steep in places.

There are no facilities on the route, so take...

We parked on the roadside near the base of the Ribblehead viaduct but had to park a fair way up the road as it was a beautiful summer's day, and many others had the same idea.

The walk was fairly challenging but well worth the views over looking the other Yorkshire peaks. The ascent was quite steep but felt like a long climb, and the pathway was quite narrow. This made it difficult to pass slower walkers, especially if they were in a large group. The walk along the top of Whernside was very exposed and a few degrees cooler than the bottom because of wind chill. The descent was the hardest part as it was steeper than the way up, but over a shorter distance. Even though we were a reasonably fit group under age 40, this was tough on the knees and ankles. The flat walk through the fields in the way back to the viaduct after the descent was a pleasant way to finish the walk. In total, the walk was about 8 miles (13kms) and took us 3.5 hours to complete, including a stop for lunch.

One thing to note was that there were no bathrooms either on the walk or at the base near the Ribblehead viaduct. Be prepared to make some "detours" from the main path.

Would recommend the walk as it is stunning, but I would say that reasonable fitness is required and would caution anyone with weak knees or ankles - walking poles would be helpful. Probably not...