The Source of the Ribble and Blea Moor from Gearstones

One of Walkingworld's Pennine Way Walks. Have a great day out exploring the Ribblehead area and searching for the source of the River Ribble. There are glorious views of Yorkshire's Three Peaks, with very little steep climbing.

We start near Gearstones Lodge and pick up the Dales Way, climbing to meet the Pennine Way at a locale known as Cam End. The trackway we're on is the old Roman Road known as Cam High Road. Keeping with Cam High Road and the Pennine Way, we climb to the top of Cam Fell and cross to the other side of the hill.

We now start our search for the source of the River Ribble. The beck known as Jam Sike is reputed to be the Ribble's longest tributary and so the Ribble Way, which follows the river from sea to source, ends near here. Finding the actual source isn't as easy as you might think, because its height on the fell depends very much on recent rainfall. However, even when it has been dry, you should find something which you can point at and believe to be the source.

We now follow the Ribble Way down to valley (excellent views that stretch as far as the southern Lakeland fells). We cross to Blea Moor and then back to Gearstones, with some rougher walking in this stretch to finish with, I'm afraid.

Dog owners, please note the possible presence of sheep, awkward stiles, mud and fast traffic.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Yorkshire Dales - Ribblesdale

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Walk id: 4519

Walk grade

Moderate Walk

Length

9 Miles

Height gain

348 Metres

Duration

4 Hours 11 Mins

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