Kettlewell - Starbotton - Great Whernside

Jim Grindle

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Great Whernside, although lower than Whernside at Ribblehead, is the highest peak in Wharfedale and is a steep climb whichever route you choose. This walk offers a warm-up along the Wharfe before a graded climb on an old pack-horse route and a final pull-up over steeper slopes; a tough but rewarding day out. I cannot vouch for it myself, but I have been told that on the clearest of days both coasts of England can be seen. Certainly the views are wide-ranging and Whernside, with its gritstone cap over a limestone sub-structure, is one of the finest as well as one of the highest of the peaks of the Yorkshire Dales.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Yorkshire Dales - Wharfedale

Features

Birds, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife

07/08/2020 - Andrew Potter

Completed the walk today in muggy and humid conditions. The description was spot on and directions perfect. It's a challenging climb first up a track which takes you across moorland to the start of the ascent of Great Whernside. After the initial steep climb there is more gradual climbing to reach the trig point. As it was a clear day the views were astounding- my photos cannot do it justice . A fairly easy descent although with its own minor challenges takes you back to the start point in Kettlewell. All in all a very good walk and well worth doing . A clear day would reward with the tremendous views we had .

07/04/2019 - MARTIN Hill

Did this walk yesteday 6/4/19 A tough climb up from Starbotton but well worth the effort: The final climb up to whernside is again a good push but the views form the trig point are amazing! All Down hill form there onwards, a bit tricky under the feet down to Hag dyke on the loose stones but only for a short distance! An amazing walk with a nice end back at the Fox and hounds Starbotton ????

17/05/2012 - Philip Scott

I completed this yesterday 16/05/12, lovely stretch along the side of the river before a steep climb from Starbotton, excellent views down Wharfdale from the ridge and also of your ultimate target Great Whernside. The climb from the ridge up to the summit is steep and just after the road it is boggy for a few hundred feet, the summit is soon in sight and the views are awesome the Yorkshire big three are easily spotted on a clear day. The path down is steep in places and across a flat section just below the summit is very boggy, but if you pick your way through not too bad. An excellent challenging walk with some stiff climbs and outstanding views, navigation is also easy I had no problem following the route.

14/01/2012 - Chris Bramley

We completed this walk on a frosty crisp Jan morning, beautiful outward stretch along the wharf, good walking followed by a good steady climbs, good underfoot with stunning views along the ridge. Just when you think you are high you climb again steeply up Great Whernside and then the vista gets even better. Be warned, there is a lot of boggy ground as you start the ascent and as you descend back down to the start. Dog friendly with gates at each wall although our golden retriever came back aback one. Watch out for the cheap parking opposite the national park - one which charges half the price! Stunning countryside, good walking but allow 6 hours

14/04/2006 - Steven Worsnop

It is a lovely Good Friday and I have just completed this walk, I was a little disappointed when I reached the summit of Great Whernside, this was only down to the fact that I could not see the coasts. All was not a lost though, the views were fantastic and the weather was fine. The route was easy to follow however if you wanted a little lighter walk, I would recommend doing it the other way round. I found going up from points 4-5 and 7-8 a little struggle however I am a little unfit at the moment. Overall, I really enjoyed this challenge.