Whernside
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| Whernside | |
|---|---|
 A snow covered Whernside and Ribblehead Viaduct seen from Ribblehead. |
|
| Elevation | 736 m (2416 ft) |
| Location | Yorkshire Dales, England |
| Prominence | 408 m |
| Parent peak | Cross Fell |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 98 |
| OS grid reference | SD738814 |
| Listing | Marilyn, Hewitt, County Top, Nuttall |
Whernside is a mountain in the Yorkshire Dales and is one of the Three Peaks, the other two being Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. It is the highest point in modern-day Yorkshire, though the summit lies in the border with Cumbria. Mickle Fell was historically regarded as the highest point in Yorkshire, but that mountain lies in the Teesdale district and was therefore transferred within the boundaries of County Durham under the Local Government Act 1972.
In shape Whernside forms a long ridge, running roughly north–south.
[edit] Routes
There is a Right of Way footpath running from the east at Ribblehead that heads north via Smithy Hill, Grain Ings before turning west to Knoutberry Haw and then south to Whernside itself. From the summit the ROW heads initially south then steeply SW down a stepped path to the small village of Bruntscar. If climbed as part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge (which is normally done anti-clockwise) Whernside will be climbed following the route from up Ribblehead to descend to Bruntscar.
There are however other routes up/down the mountain which are not Right's of Way.
A path heads directly west from the triangulation pillar to reach the road that is Deepdale Lane near White Shaw Moss.
An alternative route heads directly north across Knoutberry Haw to pass Whernside Tarns and reaches the Craven Way at Boot of the Wold.
Following the southern descent for 1.25km, instead of turning steeply SE towards Bruntscar a path continues south running adjacent the wall passing Combe Scar and West Fell to reach the limestone pavements at Ewe's Top.
Finally, 250 metres south of the triangulation pillar an old route (partly fenced off) descends (initially very steeply) for 2 km to reach a road 250 metres SW of Winterscales Farm, this is the old route of the 3 Peaks Challenge. Walkers should select this route with care as it is no longer maintained, boggy, badly eroded and requires extreme care over the final steep ascent/descent. The current route of the 3 Peaks fell race runs approximately 400 metres north of this old ascent along open moor.
All paths are on Access Land and make an interesting change from the Right of Way ascents/descents.
[edit] General
On a clear day the views from the summit to the West can be spectacular, with views of the Lake District and Morecambe Bay.
Whernside lies about two miles (approx. 3 km) northwest of Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle–Carlisle Railway.
Whernside is sometimes confused with the lower hills of Great Whernside and Little Whernside, which are located some miles to the east. The word "Whern" is believed to refer to querns (millstones).
