Saturday July 27th

Whernside and Ingleborough (David and Paul)

David and Paul are in serious (?) training for the Tour of the Vanoise in September and Paul had suggested that we walk two of the Three Peaks of Yorkshire, Whernside and Ingleborough. I hadn't been up Whernside before, so this sounded like a great suggestion.

We met just by the Ribblehead Viaduct and fortunately found a couple of parking spots. A Saturday in late July is very popular for sponsored walks and people undertaking The Three Peaks Challenge, so we weren't short of company. The first section runs beside the viaduct and then works its way up and around to Whernside. The weather blew hot and cold- literally- and the top of the hill was shrouded in cloud.

Joining the crocodile to the misty top

On reaching the summit ridge, the clouds stopped being half-hearted and it began to rain properly. However, that didn't last long and by the time we were well on our way down we had pretty well dried off and had a great view of the viaduct.

The Ribblehead Viaduct

The whole walk so far had been on a slabbed path, which reflected its popularity. Our view of Ingleborough gave the impression that the views at the top would be similar to those on Whernside.

Ingleborough with its head in the clouds

At the end of the main descent from Whernside, an enterprising ice cream salesman had parked his van close to the junction of two major paths- about a mile up a very rough track. We felt that we should support him. He was even able to take contactless payments- miles from civilisation.

The way up Ingleborough was a very steep grind but we were able to look back and see the top of Whernside, clear of cloud, as was Ingleborough itself.

Whernside on the horizon with extensive limestone pavements in-between

On reaching the tip of Ingleborough it was disappointing that there were no real views, due to the nature of the summit plateau.

Ingleborough is a hill with many aspects. I am used to seeing it from the east, with a profile that looks like long steps but, from the north on our way down, it had much in common with the profile of Pen-Y-Ghent.

Ingleborough from the north

The final section of our walk, down the ridge of House Moor and Park Fell, was much more pleasant underfoot, being natural turf rather than reclaimed slabs and less popular than the Three Peaks paths.

We stopped at the Ribblehead Station Inn for a well-deserved drink, concluding our walk of 14.6 miles with just under 1000m ascent over 7¾ hours.


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