Ingleborough circular from Ribblehead

A circular walk, 8.6 miles, 4 hours.

A fine little ramble taking in probably the greatest fell of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and two of the lesser walked high points that make up an alternative, if somewhat shorter, Yorkshire 3 Peaks walk.

Ingleborough is a tough fell to make a circular walk out of. From Clapham on the fells' southern edge to encompass it using the designated paths you can't make the walk much less than 18 miles. And from Ingleton - to the fells' south western side it's again a huge walk. This walk however begins at the picture perfect railway station of Ribblehead, and to start with there is a bit of road walking, but this soon gives way to the rougher limestone terrain of Ingleborough, then it's onto the remote feeling Simon Fell and finally Park Fell before decending back into Ribblehead.

Here after stepping off the train at Ribblehead station. You have to cross the tracks via the crossing boards from the northbound platform to get to the southbound platform. You can just about make out the crossing boards in front of the train in the below picture...

Once you're onto the above platform the walk heads out from the station and follows the rough track down towards a pub which you will see at the end of the track on the opposite side of the road. For me this station is one of the finest in the country for scenery, when you get to the pub, taking a slight detour from the walk, cut right, and just take a look at one the most famous and impressive views you will ever see...

Head back now towards the pub and head along the road under the railway bridge...

The road is what it is, and at the end of the day you need to take care here, but this part of the walk allows you to view the terrain you are about to undertake, Park Fell is the nearest, with Simon Fell wedged between it, with the mighty Ingleborough beyond...

There is over a mile of road walking before you can see the path that will lead you to the flanks of Ingleborough...

Coming off from the road you are now onto the route of the Yorkshire Three Peaks walk...




A point of the walk here that has struck fear into many a '3 Peaker'. This is probably the toughest part of the walk, but I like this bit, it has a touch of scrambling involved...


Making it to the top of the scramble...

The climb continues...


And eventually entering out onto the rocky summit plateau of Ingleborough...

Heading south west across the plateau to the summit Trig Point...

Ingleborough summit 723 metres...




The walk continues on from the top of Ingleborough, you now need to retrace your steps back towards where you first entered out onto the plateau. This can be a bit tricky, especially in low cloud. It's also easy to follow other people off the fell taking you perhaps on a completely different path by mistake, or you can simply miss place where you got onto the summit plateau in the first place! So take your time and make sure you are at the correct place to descend the fell. The path does also fork part the way down too, be careful again here as the right hand path is the route towards Horton in Ribblesdale, you need to keep left here for this walk...

The route heads onto softer ground now as you venture out onto Simon Fell, keeping the dry stone wall on your right...

The path is easy to follow and at this point crosses the dry stone wall via a stile...

The dry stone wall is now on your left as the path continues across Souther Scales Fell...

Park Fell up ahead now...

Looking back towards Simon Fell and Ingleborough from Park Fell...


Here on the summit of Park Fell at 563 metres...

The descent of Park Fell is steep, and is a good one for putting the ends of your toes in pain...

The path heads from the lower flanks of Park Fell towards a farm house...


Passing in front of the farm, you then join a small lane that brings you out onto the B6479 road...


Crossing the Settle-Carlisle railway here looking towards Pen-y-ghent...

Onto the B6479 now back towards Ribblehead with Whernside dominating the view ahaead...


And finally back to Ribblehead station...

I would highly recommend the pub in Ribblehead prior to getting your train, it serves an excellent meal as well as local real ales all with a warm welcome. Overall this is a great little walk that would be an excellent treat for walkers of all abilities.
Thanks for reading.

Breidden Hill Circular 1.1.15

A circular walk, 3.9 miles, 2 hours.

A great little walk on the Shropshire-Welsh border that takes in the fine Breidden Hill and the landmark that is Rodney's Pillar.

It was New Year's Day and that means a walk, preferably one that involves a hill. I was staying in Trewern, near Welshpool with friends. Near by are the hills of Moel y Golfa, Cefn y Castellm (Middletown Hill), Kemsters Hill, Bausley Hill and Breidden Hill - 5 hills that collectively are called the Breidden Hills, or as I simply call them 'The Breiddens'. From my old house in Shrewsbury I used to be able to see these hills on the horizon, with Long Mountain not far to their south, Breidden Hill standing out in particular as it seemed to come to an abrupt end almost like a sea cliff, however just before where the hill falls away towards the lower countryside a small column stands perched on the end, this is called Rodney's Pillar and makes a visible landmark for miles around due to the location of the hill. So, long story short, it was time to visit this hill, ironic in some respects now that I don't live in the area, but, bag it I felt I must, especially after finding my old friend Dan had now moved so near to it, and had climbed it on a few occasions with his dog. So, with my friend as a guide, we set off for the car park at the base of Briedden Hill.

Here after arriving into the car park with the dog leading the way, the hill is indicated as simply Rodney's Pillar...

Turning left out of the car park, the track starts to head upwards...


After a few hundred yards our route cuts right here to head steeply uphill...


At the top of this incline a path intersects it. Here we turned left to head further upwards...


You soon start to head out of the trees at around the 250 metre mark, the route then starts to open out...



Rodney's Pillar makes its first appearence...

This stile marks the beggining of the final ascent towards the top of Briedden Hill...


And to the top of Breidden Hill with a summit Trig Point too at 365 metres...


Thanks to Dan for this photograph, a tough shot considering the dog pulling and the windy conditions!..

The views from the summit of this hill are excellent with a 360 degree panorama, including The Wrekin to the east, The Stiperstones and the Long Mynd to the south east, the Aran range and the Berwyn Range to the north west, this is worth the hike just to get your bearing as to what you are going to climb next whilst in the area!
The route now heads south west away from Rodney's Pillar following a well trodden footpath, here looking back towards the pillar from a nicely made Topograph...

Middletown Hill looking inviting...

Moel y Golfa, the highest point of the Breidden Hills, with Long Mountain beyond...

The route now starts to head back downhill...

The route intersects with this substantial track that runs along the edge of Breidden Forest, and indeed continues to run through parts of it...

Looking back at Breidden Hill top...




The neb of high ground that is the top of Breidden Hill ahead here as the path snakes its way back towards the car park, it is also this abrupt end to the hill that gives it the 'sea cliff' look from a distance...

And finally back to the car park completing this excellent walk around a spot of new territory for me...

I can't recommend this walk enough if you find yourself in the area at some point. The view from the summit of the hill is superb. Thanks for reading.