Dent Station to Ribblehead via Whernside 6.3.11

A linear walk, 13 miles.

This is a classic station to station walk that I have wanted to do since travelling the line for the first time. The weather was set to be very good - especially for March so the views were set to be fantastic.

On arrival into Dent station your greeted with a good view along Dentdale towards Great Coum. Take the road from the station that turns steeply downhill towards the village of Cowgill...

At Cowgill the small road splits, turn left to follow the road south east. Here Dent Head viaduct and Wold Fell from the road...

Arten Gill Viaduct...

A footpath splits from the road when you get to Bridge End Cottage. You then need to head through Dent Head farm yard in order to get to Blea Moor, it is all well sign posted though. Here a beast guarding the entrance to Blea Moor at the farm...

Looking back at Wold Fell to the right, and Great Knoutberry Hill beyond from just beyond the farm...

The pathway starts to get a bit steeper now. Here you pass the northern entrance to Blea Moor Tunnel...

Cutting up through Mossy Bottom Forest...

Some well built steps to allow you up onto Blea Moor...

Out onto the moor now. Air shafts above Blea Moor Tunnel...

Looking north a distant Wild Boar Fell, Mallerstang Common, in the haze...

Whernside comes into view...

The path across Blea Moor is well walked and easy to follow. However in order to find the summit of Blea Moor you need to cut left from the path, this could be tricky in low cloud and you will need a compass - or more sensibly a GPS.
 Here the Trig Point on 'Crag of Blea Moor' summit 535 metres...

Once you have bagged Blea Moor Trig, it's then a matter of navigating back to the main path. This then merges with the main drag up towards Whernside. At this point you will probably see a few more people as this is a very popular route.

 Here the Settle - Carlisle line emerges from beneath Blea Moor...

Onto the ascent of Whernside now...

Looking back at Blea Moor from the approach to Whernside...

Nearing the ridge path on Whernside now...

Whernside summit Trig Point at 736 metres, the highest point in North Yorkshire...

Me on the summit of Whernside...

Ribblehead Viaduct from the summit path of Whernside...

A steep and rocky descent...

Once you make it to the bottom of the main path from Whernside, the path cuts left - north east. Here Ingleborough visible through the haze...

The path cuts through a couple of farms as you head back towards Ribblehead at the base of Whernside. Here heading towards the span of the Ribblehead Viaduct...

Tribute cairn to to the restoration of the viaduct...

Sunset behind Whernside from Ribblehead station...

Ribblehead Station...

Park Fell, Simon's Fell and Ingleborough in the twilight...

A must do walk if you love this part of the world, and the Station Inn at Ribblehead does a good Sunday dinner, nice local beers too!
 If you do this walk on a Saturday there are more trains, so you can really take your time.
Many thanks for reading :)