Whernside Circular Walk: Explore the Trail from Ribblehead Viaduct

Tackle the Whernside Circular Walk and Enjoy the Yorkshire Dales’ Highest Peak

Your Whernside circular walk starts by parking on the B6255 Blea Moor Road, near its junction with the B6479 Gauber Road. This area is popular, especially on weekends, as it is a key starting point for walkers taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. From the junction, follow the well-maintained path towards the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. As you near the viaduct, you’ll reach a fork in the trail. Rather than heading directly under the viaduct, take the right-hand path leading to the viaduct’s northern end. The path begins a gentle uphill climb, with the railway line on your left. You’ll likely encounter Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge walkers along this popular route.

As you continue northward on this clear path, you’ll pass a railway tunnel on your left, just under half a mile ahead. Ignore the tunnel and proceed straight ahead. Shortly after, you’ll come across the Blea Moor Signal Box, a notable waypoint on this Whernside circular walk. About half a mile further along, you’ll cross an aqueduct over the railway line. Here, the path begins to ascend Smithy Hill as you follow the Dales High Way. To your left, in the distance, you’ll spot the beautiful Force Gill waterfall. Keep climbing steadily, and soon you’ll reach a stile on your left. Cross the stile and follow the signposted path towards Whernside.

The ascent to Whernside is gradual, covering approximately one and three-quarters of a mile. The path is easy to navigate, and on a clear day, you’ll enjoy spectacular views throughout your climb. Upon reaching the summit of Whernside, which stands at 736 metres, take a moment to savour the panoramic vistas. From the summit, continue south along the ridge for about three-quarters of a mile. As the path begins to descend, it veers slightly to the left and steeply downhill, following A Pennine Journey towards Bruntscar. This section of the route is well-trodden and reinforced with large flagstones, making the descent more manageable.

At the bottom, as the path levels out, you’ll pass a farm building on your left. Here, it’s essential not to follow the route straight ahead, where all the Three Peaks Challenge walkers will go. Instead, turn sharply left and follow the Winterscales path heading north-east across a field towards Broadrake. In the distance, you’ll catch a glimpse of Ribblehead Viaduct, your final destination on this Whernside circular walk. Continue along the path, crossing several fields and passing through the farm at Ivescar.

As you near Winterscales Farm, take the track on your right, leading south towards Gunnerfleet Farm. After passing Gunnerfleet Farm, turn left onto another track that will guide you back to Ribblehead Viaduct. From there, it’s an easy walk back to your car. This Whernside circular walk covers approximately 8 miles (13 kilometres) and takes you to the highest point in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a rewarding day out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, especially if the weather is favourable, offering breathtaking views along the way.

Whernside Circular Walk: Distance, Duration, Statistics

Recommended Ordnance Survey Map

The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL2, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.

About Whernside

Whernside is a mountain located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It stands as the tallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with the other two being Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. Notably, Whernside is the highest point in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire and the historic West Riding of Yorkshire. Its summit lies on the boundary with Cumbria. Among England’s hills, Whernside ranks as the fifteenth most prominent.

Whernside features a long ridge running roughly north-north-east to south-south-west. The mountain is situated six miles (10 kilometres) north-west of Ingleton and six miles (10 kilometres) north of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. This ridge makes Whernside a popular choice for walkers, particularly those embarking on a Whernside circular walk to explore its varied terrain and stunning views.

Whernside’s Key Facts

Elevation: 736 metres (2415 feet)
Prominence: 408 metres (1339 feet)
Parent peak: Cross Fell
Listings: Marilyn, Hewitt, Hardy, County Top, Nuttall

The Origin of Whernside’s Name

Whernside’s name, first recorded in 1208 as Querneside, originates from Old English. It derives from the words cweorn, meaning ‘quern’ or ‘millstone’, and side, meaning ‘hillside’. Thus, Whernside means ‘hillside where millstones are found’. It shares this origin with Great Whernside, located 17 miles (27 kilometres) to the east, with which it is sometimes confused.

Whernside Circular Walk: My Photos

We begin our Whernside circular walk by heading towards the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, with the majestic Whernside looming in the background. Our path takes us towards the viaduct, before diverting to the right, where we ascend the embankment.

One of the highlights along the way is the Blea Moor Signal Box, situated on the Settle to Carlisle Railway. Built in 1941, this traditional railway signal box exemplifies the standard Midland Railway Type 2 design, common across the network in the early 20th century. The timber-framed structure is elevated, allowing the signalman a clear view of the tracks.

Next, we encounter the aqueduct in Little Dale, a remarkable structure that carries water from Force Gill over the Settle to Carlisle railway line.

Looking south from the aqueduct, the Settle to Carlisle Railway aligns beautifully with the distant silhouette of Ingleborough, creating a picturesque scene.

After crossing the aqueduct, we begin our climb along the Dales High Way. Here, the view to the west reveals the stunning waterfall created by Force Gill.

Crossing over a stile, we follow our path as it leads us up to Whernside, continuing our Whernside circular walk.

As we ascend the steps towards the mountain’s summit, we pause to look back at Whernside Tarns. In the distance, the Howgill Fells become visible, adding to the expansive vista.

Upon reaching the triangulation pillar at Whernside’s summit, we stand at an elevation of 736 metres (2415 feet). This moment marks the pinnacle of our Whernside circular walk. Within the Yorkshire Dales, only seven mountains exceed 700 metres in height:

• Whernside, 736 metres (2415 feet)
• Ingleborough, 724 metres (2375 feet)
• Great Shunner Fell, 716 metres (2349 feet)
• High Seat, 709 metres (2326 feet)
• Wild Boar Fell, 708 metres (2323 feet)
• Great Whernside, 704 metres (2310 feet)
• Buckden Pike, 702 metres (2303 feet)

As we descend from Whernside, we are treated to breathtaking views across the valley floor and towards Ingleborough, whose distinctive shape is visible even from as far away as the Lake District.

The descent path, which was once severely eroded and a challenge for weary Yorkshire Three Peaks walkers, was repaired in 2019. The restoration, which used locally-quarried stone, cost £46,000, a sum raised through generous donations from individuals and businesses.

This path is not only popular among Three Peaks Challenge walkers but also forms part of A Pennine Journey, a long-distance walking route in northern England. This route retraces the steps of the renowned walker and author Alfred Wainwright, inspired by his 1938 book A Pennine Journey. The route has since been developed into a formal walking path, celebrating Wainwright’s journey and the stunning landscapes of the Pennines.

As we continue, we catch a view of Ribblehead Viaduct from the path between Broadrake and Ivescar.

Looking north-west, the view up to Whernside from The Scar between Broadrake and Ivescar is particularly striking.

I have a particular fondness for the weathered, wind-swept trees and rugged limestone outcrops that dot this landscape.

As we approach the viaduct from Gunnerfleet Farm, the sheer scale of its 24 arches becomes apparent, each one a testament to Victorian engineering. Viewing this viaduct is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our Whernside circular walk.

Near the foot of the viaduct, a silver plaque affixed to a stone statue catches our eye. The engraving on it depicts a 19th-century navvy shaking hands with a 20th-century engineer, symbolising the bridge between two eras of railway history.

Finally, our Whernside circular walk concludes as we once again reach the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct, a fitting end to a day of breathtaking scenery and historical marvels.