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Yorkshire Dales Walks

Whernside from Dent

Whernside Tarns

Date: 7th October 2004
Distance: 10.9 miles
Ascent: 2204 feet
Time: Too long ago to remember!
With: Lisa
Start Grid Ref: SD704870

Walk Summary:
A fine walk to the top of Whernside starting from Dent and returning via Deepdale.

Route Summary: Dent - Mill Bridge - Craven Way - Whernside Tarns - Whernside - Deepdale Lane - Deepdale Beck - Howgill Bridge - Dent

Pictures:

1. Looking back at the village of Dent

Looking back at the village of Dent

2. Looing across to Great Coum

Looing across to Great Coum

3. Lisa walking on the Craven Way

Lisa walking on the Craven Way

4. Next to one of the Whernside Tarns with top of Whernside behind

Next to one of the Whernside Tarns

5. Lisa sat by the one of the other tarns

Lisa sat by the one of the other tarns

6. Lisa by the trig point on Whernside

Lisa by the trig point on Whernside

7. On the highest point of Yorkshire

Dent Station on the slopes of Great Knoutberry Hill

8. Ingleborough from Whernside

Ingleborough from Whernside

9. Looking down into Kingsdale from Whernside

Looking down into Kingsdale from Whernside

10. The road leading down into Deepdale

The road leading down into Deepdale

11. Green Hill - the highest point in modern Lancashire

Green Hill - the highest point in modern Lancashire

12. Waterfall on Gastack Beck

Waterfall on Gastack Beck

13. Whernside rises steeply above Deepdale

Whernside rises steeply above Deepdale

Walk Detail: Just over 2 weeks since I had climbed Whernside as part of the Three Peak Challenge I climbed it again this time in the company of Lisa.

We set off from Dent quite early in the morning immediately following the Dales Way east along the Dee. The first stage of the climb from Dentdale up the Craven Way was quite demanding especially as the ground was quite broken and rocky. We did not have far to go though before we were rewarded with fine views of Great Coum, Dentdale, the Howgill Fells and Great Knoutberry Hill.

Instead of following the Craven Way all the way round the side of the fell we turned off at Boot of the Wold to visit the Whernside tarns. As the most popular climb up Whernside is via Ribblehead these gems are less well known than they ought to be.

After thoroughly exploring the area round the tarns we headed towards the main path up from Ribblehead. This small stretch was a little difficult as the small path disappeared as the ground got increasingly wet.

Finally we made it on to the ridge path which we followed to the trig point. This was by far the quietest I have seen Whernside before or since and I think we only saw 4 or 5 other people up there. We sat in the windshelter and ate our lunch while enjoying the views of Ribblesdale and Ingleborough.

The return journey was via the steep path north of the trig point, which descends via a rocky track to High Moss, a saddle that separates Whernside and Green Hill as well as the bleak valley of Kingsdale from green and lush Deepdale. We then followed the road down from High Moss into Deepdale along the way discovering a pleasant waterfall on Gastack Beck.

Finally we headed off the road so that we could follow Deepdale Beck back towards the River Dee. Deepdale really is a beautiful valley and fully deserves its name with the steep sides of Whernside and Great Coum on either side. The final leg of the walk was along a pleasant country lane back into Dent.

My third time on Whernside was also the best and thanks to the weather this had to be one of the best walks of the year.


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