So the other day I hiked up the highest peak in Yorkshire (Whernside).

The Beck Over The Tunnel

Today was a nice day! After a bit of milling about around Hawes, Lisabet and I took the Blea Moor Road towards the Ribblehead Viaduct for a hike up the eastern flank of Whernside, known as Winterscales Pasture. Up there one can find an unexpectedly spectacular anonymous waterfall, which we took compositions of. Coming back down the moor you follow the winding beck of Force Gill that, at this point in the image, actually crosses over a railway tunnel! Gorgeous light complemented the scene with Ingleborough looming in the distance.

Force Gill, Blea Moor, Ribblehead, Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England.

🥾 Whernside Walk from Ribblehead Viaduct – Just Published

🌄 There’s a brand-new write-up now live on my website, featuring a walk that takes you right to the top of Whernside, the highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales. This circular route begins near the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct and guides you through a mix of landscapes, including Force Gill Aqueduct, the open moorland of Craven Wold, and the peaceful Whernside Tarns. It finishes with a steep descent followed by a gentle stroll back towards the iconic viaduct. The full route is 10 miles, but if you're after something shorter, there’s a well-marked shortcut that brings it down to around 8 miles.

🧭 This Whernside walk covers 10 miles in total and takes roughly 5¼ hours to complete, with 536 metres of ascent. You’ll find all the key details, directions, and timings clearly set out on the walk page. There are also links to mapping tools, GPX downloads, elevation charts and a 3D fly-over to help you plan the route with confidence.

⛰️ Whernside is the tallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, standing proudly at 736 metres. It forms a long, sloping ridge with far-reaching views across the Yorkshire Dales. The mountain is made up of millstone grit over limestone, which helps shape many of the area’s distinctive features such as caves, limestone pavements and upland tarns. It is one of the three peaks in the well-known challenge route, along with Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent, and tens of thousands of keen walkers complete the full 24-mile circuit every year.

📸 There is plenty to enjoy along the way. You’ll start beside the Ribblehead Viaduct, one of the country’s most photographed railway landmarks, before following the Settle to Carlisle line and passing the Blea Moor Signal Box. Higher up, the trail skirts quiet upland tarns and offers sweeping views across Deepdale, Dentdale and even the distant Howgill Fells. The descent brings brilliant views of Ingleborough and the viaduct, sometimes with a train crossing all 24 of its spectacular arches.

🚶‍♂️ If you’re after a walk full of big views, varied terrain, fascinating history and the option of a quieter stretch on the longer route, this one is well worth exploring. Head over to my website to view the full route, explore the maps and get everything you need to plan your own Whernside walk.