Whernside is the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks but the easiest to climb, if you want to enjoy a first fell hike or thinking about doing the 3 peaks but starting separately; Whernside is ideal. It is the closest to Ingleborough if you decided to summit each on separate days over the week-end.
Stats
| Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous (from the elevation) |
| Length | 9 mi – 14.5 km |
| Total elevation | 1,969 ft – 600m |
| Highest point | 2,415ft – 736m |
| Walking time | 3h40 |
| Terrain | Walking paths, paths, roads and boulders. You will need good knees for the descent |
| Equipment | Enough water (no pubs until c. 3/4 of the way) – Layers (The Summit is above 2,000ft – it will always be colder and windier on top than in the valley) |
View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
Getting there
- Driving: Car Park next to Ribblehead train station or on Blea Moor Road (near the Station Inn Pub)
- Public transport: Ribblehead train station
- From Manchester: Direct trains from Victoria (c. 2h05)
- From Leeds: Direct trains (c. 1h20)
- From Preston: Train to Blackburn then to Ribblehead (c. 1h35)
- From Lancaster: Train to Long Preston and then to Ribblehead (c. 1h20)
- From Carlisle: Direct trains c. (c. 1h25)
- From York: Train to Leeds than to Ribblehead (c. 1h50)
Watering Holes
- The Old Hill Inn – Chapel-le-Dale – C. 7.2 miles after the start (3h30).
An amazing family run pub in a building dating 1615.
Real ale with locally sourced and home cooked food do call the venue to check opening and serving hours as they do vary. An old-fashioned walker’s bar and inn; muddy boots and paws will alway receive a warm welcome. And a roaring wood-fire will help you warm up or dry off on colder days.
It also offers camping and accommodation (see below section for details) . - The Station Inn – Ribblehead – At the end of the walk Independent pub with good ales, home-made food, a beer garden in the Summer and wood-fire in the winter.
Food served from 12:00-21:00 every day. Expect traditional pub-food. The pies are made entirely from scratch, including the pastry ! As the pub is not tied to any brewery, you will find the owner’s own choice of locally brewed ales chosen for its quality. From time to time, you will find live music. The pub also offers camping and accommodation (see below sections for details)
Make a week-end of it
Being on the Yorkshire Three Peaks route, the area is geared up for outdoors enthusiast. If you are after heights, but do not feel ready for the full challenge; you could climb Whernside on a day and Ingleborough on the next. If you prefer a lower walk on one of the day; there are an abundance of options: the Dales Highway, the Pennine journey trail, the limestone walk, the Ribble way, etc. The area is also popular for caving with numerous caves nearby and cycling with green lanes.
The Old Hill Inn is my favourite in the area and the best location to take in both Whenside and Ingleborough over the week-end.
It offers two cosy bedrooms above the pub, some glamping pods, all with their own bathrooms and toilets and a few pitches for caravan and motorhomes. The glamping pods are perfect for a couple of friends sharing as they only have bunk beds though. The pitches are only suitable for fully equipped motorhomes and caravans as they offer water and electric hookups but not toilet facilities.
The Station Inn is the better options if you travel by public transport as it is right next to the train station. Also the best location to include caving or cycling in your week-end. There are 6 bedrooms with views of the mountains. For group of friends or families; the pub also has 3 bunk-house but each must be rented by the same groups of 6 or 8. Each unit has en-suite facilities, sheets are provided but you need to bring your own sleeping bag. Finally, the pub has spaces for motorhomes. Free of charge as long as you use the pub for meals. You do not need to have a fully equipped camper as there are portaloos and sinks available for out of hours. But the pitches do not have electric hookups.
The Old School bunkhouse, next to the Old Hill Inns is a great option for groups of friends or solo-travelers. But this is often booked out as a whole unit, in particular during school terms. Check in advance for smaller groups or individual bookings. It has 5 bunk rooms and 5 bathrooms. Will accommodate groups of up to 26 people.
Peregrinating the North West and Beyond 