Tag: Yorkshire Dales Hikes

Burnsall – A 12 miler in the Yorkshire Dales with a pub

Burnsall is one of the prettiest villages in the Wharfedale valley; North Yorkshire.
Hike up Cracoe fell and to Rylstone Cross for stunning views of the valley.

12 miles hike in the Yorkshire Dales from the picturesque village of Burnsall. Stunning views of the Wharfedale from Cracoe fell and Rylestone Cross — Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

Stats

Difficulty	Moderate
Length	12 mi – 19.5 km
Total elevation	2,116 ft – 645m
Highest point	1,610 ft – 490m
Walking time	4h20
Terrain	Paths and footpaths
Equipment	Sufficient water to keep you going for 12 mi or 5 hours (There are no shops or pubs en route). Some layers as it can get windy and exposed.

View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)

Getting there

Driving: Car Park in front of Riverbank Burnsall (fee-paying)
Public transport: Sadly, the walk is not easily accessible by public transport. It takes 2 busses from Skipton to reach Burnsall.

Watering Holes

The red Lion – Burnsall – at the beginning or end of the walk.
A Thwaites Brewery owned pub and hotel.
Outdoor seating in the summer and roaring wood-fire in winter.
The food is excellent and focuses on local produce but priced on the high side.
Expect pub classics served from 12:00-21:00 daily.

Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat

Burnsall is one of the prettiest villages of the Wharfe Valley and only a stone-throw away from Grassington.
Make a week-end of it walking in the area as the possibilities are endless. For film and TV aficionados, Calendar Girls as well as All Creatures Great & Small have used the village as filming location.

For a luxury and gourmet stay: The Devonshire Fell – Burnsall
It only has 16 rooms and all are decorated individually.
The food there is exceptional. It offers a bistro for less formal dining, yet offering classics like fish & chips as well as gastro-pub fares such as char-sui pork belly. Whilst the restaurant has been awarded 2 AA rosettes.
Rooms are not cheap but the hotel offers an good package for 2 nights stay, dinner, afternoon tea and spa.

For self-catering, small groups or families: Moorside Farm cottage – Hebden
Not in Burnsall but between Grassington and Burnsall. There are good walks from its doorstep.
A stunning stone-built farm with 4 bedrooms. (2 twins and 2 doubles) And 3 bathrooms
Very cosy with log-burner in the sitting room, a large very well equipped kitchen and a dining room.
The owner was brought up in the house and has renovated the property with her family.

For a cosy B&B: The Green – Burnsall
With only 3 rooms, each has a king-sized bed and ensuite bathroom.
The owner can make you a packed a lunch if you are planning to spend your day on the fells.

September 11, 2024

Whernside – One of the Yorkshire Three Peaks

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.

Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Although the highest of the three, I find it the easiest to climb. And a perfect introduction fell-walking. If you are not ready for the full challenge in one go, simply want a hike under 10 miles or make a week-end of it; Ingleborough is close to accomodations for Whernside. You could do one of each on separate days. — Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

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.

July 11, 2024