Whernside
736m (2416ft)
The Southern Dales Area, The Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England
Whernside is the highest point in The Yorkshire Dales National Park and the highest point in the county of North Yorkshire.
The summit of Whernside is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.
You can find Whernside & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):
See Whernside and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Whernside and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Map:
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.75ml (12.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,574ft (480m) |
| Time: | 4½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Ribblehead - Blea Moor - Force Gill - Grain Ing - Whernside - Broadrake Farm - Ivescar Farm - Ribblehead
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8.75ml (14km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,772ft (540m) |
| Time: | 5 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Ribblehead - (Railway Station) - Blea Moor Common - Blue Clay Ridge - Force Gill - Grain Ing - Greenset Moss - Whernside - Broadrake Farm - Bruntscar Farm - Philpin Farm - Scar Close - Ellerbeck Pasture - Ribblehead
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 12.25ml (19.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,306ft (703m) |
| Time: | 6.70hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Dent - Flinter Gill - Green Lane - High Pike - Whernside - Wernside Tarns - Craven Way - Mill Bridge (Deepdale Beck) - The Dales Way - Deepdale Beck - River Dee - Dent
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 14ml (22.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,207ft (977m) |
| Time: | 8½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Horton in Ribblesdale - Railway Station - Train Journey - Ribblehead Railway Station - Ribblehead - Blea Moor - Whernside - Broadrake Farm - Ribblehead - Blea Moor - Whernside - Broadrake Farm - Chapel-le-Dale - Braithwaite Wife Hole - Ingleborough - Pen-y-ghent Cafe - Horton in Ribblesdale.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 24ml (38.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 5,297ft (1,614m) |
| Time: | 14 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Horton in Ribblesdale - Pen-y-ghent Cafe - Brackenbottom - Gavel Rigg - The Pennine Way - Pen-y-ghent - Hunt Pot - Hull Pot - Whitber Hill - God's Bridge - Brow Gill Beck - Nether Lodge - River Ribble - Lodge Hall (or Ingman Lodge) - Ribblehead - Blea Moor - Whernside - Broadrake Farm - Chapel-le-Dale - Braithwaite Wife Hole - Ingleborough - Pen-y-ghent Cafe - Horton in Ribblesdale.
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Whernside
Nina Adams walked up Whernside on August 28th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked at the pub, Old Hill Inn, for lunch (Not great food) Ribblehead - Blea Moor - Force Gill - Grain Ing - Whernside - Broadrake Farm - Ivescar Farm - Ribblehead [with] Craig and George [weather] Cloudy Feels like 18.3° 4 kph WNW wind 74% humidity
Sarah Moore climbed Whernside on July 30th, 2022 [from/via/route] Three Peaks [with] On my own - but thanks to Steve the Scouser...the 2 lads from Grimsby and the 4 guys who finished at the same time! [weather] Awful!!
Ruth Nolan bagged Whernside on June 27th, 2022 [from/via/route] Dent, Dales High Way, tarns [with] Solo [weather] Some clouds, light breeze, mostly bright with occasional shower
Keith Axell hiked Whernside on August 7th, 2021 [from/via/route] Three Peaks route anti-clockwise from Horton [with] Jeff Young [weather] Wet, windy & mild. No visibility near top up.
Carl Tillotson summited Whernside on August 8th, 2021 [from/via/route] route from Ribble Viaduct [with] June [weather] Broken cloud with occasional spittle of rain, windy.
Jeff Stott conquered Whernside on June 29th, 2021 [from/via/route] Ribblehead [with] Shell [weather] Good - Great walk. 1st mountain... Epic :D
David Hughes scaled Whernside on December 22nd, 2010 [with] DD DG Waz
Tony Halliday walked up Whernside on August 11th, 2020 [from/via/route] camped at Horton in ribblesdale but drove & parked near the viaduct started & ended walk here [with] sally halliday jimmy boo and George our 3 dogs [weather] drizzle to start with poor visability at summit but beautiful weather on way down - not too busy views not great due to cloud however a great days walking 2nd of the 3 peaks over 3 days
Andrew Flynn climbed Whernside on September 12th, 2020 [from/via/route] ny101 Yorkshire Three Peaks [with] Nicola [weather] Nice day. Bit windy.
Dave Gay bagged Whernside on July 30th, 2020 [from/via/route] Circular route from Ribblehead, up via Blea Moor & to the North. Returning by heading south along the ridge & dropping down to Broadrake & Ivyscar. [with] Nathaniel & Jessica [weather] Dry
Angela Moroney hiked Whernside during 2013 [from/via/route] Three Peaks 8hrs :):):) [with] Captain Turner - Trainers make a huge difference. Cath 3 peaks 2019 9hrs
Gill Bates summited Whernside on August 22nd, 2012 [from/via/route] from Ribblehead [weather] cloudy & cold
Ken Davies conquered Whernside on September 22nd, 2019 [weather] Rainy - Bev's birthday: sept 2019, Bev ruined phone- got wet
Eira Cookney scaled Whernside on June 15th, 2019 [from/via/route] Horton in ribblesdale [with] MAD walkers
Allen Andrews walked up Whernside on May 12th, 2005 [from/via/route] Ribblehead Viaduct [with] Work colleagues [weather] Sunny - Part of the 3 peaks
Alan Pritchard climbed Whernside on June 19th, 2008 [with] Solo [weather] Good - Went on walking holiday - also have done the 3 peaks challenge once. Also the Yorkshire 3 peaks in 8hours..🚶♂️😎👌
Alan Smith bagged Whernside on May 17th, 2019 [from/via/route] Ribblehead viaduct [with] Keith and kevin [weather] Sunny
Simon Boddy hiked Whernside on May 27th, 2018 [from/via/route] Horton-In-Ribblesdale [with] My Girlfriend [weather] Sunny, windy & cloudy with one rain shower & one hail stone shower - As part of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge
Colin Egan summited Whernside on November 16th, 2018 [from/via/route] Ascent from Ribblehead, via 3 Peak route, descent via 3 peak route on our way to Ingleborough [with] My wife Faith [weather] Cloudy & cold, some rain. In the cloud on top! - We decided that we would do the 3 Peaks over 2 days as we are not young enough & fast enough to do it at speed!
Stephen Reader conquered Whernside on July 5th, 2018 [from/via/route] from Ribblehead Viaduct [with] On my own [weather] Glorious sunshine but very warm - Views to die for.
Kevin Foster scaled Whernside on August 16th, 2017 [from/via/route] Great Coum via the 'Occy' (Occupation)road. [with] Henry [weather] Sunny morning becoming increasingly cloudy then light rain later on. - What a great mountain Whernside is! The least popular of the Three Peaks but I have to say my personal favourite simply because of the view. The drop off from Great Coum was very steep to reach the 'Occy' road. The first time I walked this green lane it was dry & an absolute pleasure but now it's badly rutted & today was virtually underwater. My two trekking poles came in handy though...puddle jumping. The ascent from the Kingsdale road looks quite intimidating but it turns out to be not as bad as it looks & then suddenly you are there at the summit trig point & looking down at Ribblehead viaduct & the other two peaks. What a stunning view! As great a mountain as Ingleborough is you don't get the same view looking across at Whernside. The descent was very long & surprisingly boggy in parts considering that the underlying stone was permeable limestone. A word of warning here about the finish to the walk. The described route via Braida Garth is across some very rough cow pasture & the 'path' is in dreadful condition & unclear at times. If I did this route again I would take the diversion to Thornton Force waterfall & then follow the road along Kingsdale back to your parked car.
John Gough walked up Whernside on August 17th, 2014 [from/via/route] Ribblehead viaduct [with] Grandsons Josh and Cam [weather] Fair
Mark Davidson climbed Whernside on September 14th, 2003 [with] Mike [weather] Lovely sunny day - good job too
Darin Torrance bagged Whernside on May 7th, 2017 [from/via/route] Horton
Chris Faulkner hiked Whernside on June 14th, 2015 [from/via/route] 3 Peaks [with] Michelle chandler [weather] Dry
Robert Shaw summited Whernside on May 21st, 2009 [from/via/route] Traditional 3 peaks challenge route anti clockwise. [with] Steve Capron, Adam Shaw, Simon Bennett, Adam Warbrick. [weather] Cold but clear, occasional hail showers/ - 9 hours dead for the challenge.
Craig Lewis conquered Whernside on August 29th, 2016 [from/via/route] from Penny-y-ghent [with] Malcolm [weather] Early drizzle then sunny from 10:30
Ian Barker scaled Whernside on June 15th, 2008 [from/via/route] Ribblehead viaduct [with] Peter Godfrey - 3 Peaks Challenge
Elaine Grayson walked up Whernside on July 3rd, 2016 [from/via/route] yorkshire three peaks [weather] sunny & windy - difficult descent
Janet Wells climbed Whernside during June, 2012 [with] William
Jon Dodsley bagged Whernside on September 15th, 2015 [from/via/route] Yorkshire 3 peaks [with] RAF Benevelont fund charity [weather] Good - Full 3 peaks in 9 hours
Caroline Winter hiked Whernside on October 2nd, 2015 [from/via/route] RibbleHead CP, Gunnerfleet Farm, West Flank, summit, descent greensett past waterfalls, back to RH [with] Solo [weather] Foggy morning, slow to lift, warm humid day, no wind - Hoping to bag Whernside & another peak today but 5 hrs car journey left me reduced time. I reckon I've previously only slogged up steep track south of summit, & haven't rated the big W highly but after today's circuit it's become my favourite 3 Peak. Fab walk & due to walking clockwise, which I prefer only had people passing me going down to make way to Ingleborough on my ascent. Lost camera SIM card so only Phone photos ! This day is dedicated to my good friend who sadly passed away last Friday & to Chris who took me on many walks inc. 3 peaks- "to good times"
Tony Rogerson summited Whernside on August 25th, 1997 [from/via/route] Three Peaks [weather] Sunny - Hot day
Catherine Fleming-Fisher has conquered Whernside [from/via/route] Viaduct [with] Leslie Gleaves and Anthony Fisher [weather] Fine - LOve walking this peak
Rob Cheshire scaled Whernside on June 1st, 2015 [from/via/route] From Ribble Head, as part of a 2-day backpack around the Y3P. [with] Paul Corrigan [weather] Mostly dry & blustery, with sunny spells.
Mark Jackson walked up Whernside on December 26th, 2014 [from/via/route] Ribbleside, ny109 [weather] Misty, rain, snowed on summit
Michael Jones climbed Whernside on September 3rd, 2014 [from/via/route] Ribblehead Viaduct - SD 764 761 [with] Jane & Red [weather] Sunny & windy - Using Anquet mapping
Andrew Joss bagged Whernside on June 28th, 2014 [from/via/route] Horton-in-Ribblesdale [with] Barbara [weather] Sun, wind, rain - just the usual - What a fab walk - & great to see so many others on the way
David Congreave hiked Whernside on May 30th, 2014 [from/via/route] Yorkshire 3 Peaks [with] Simon on the Streets and Kuta Outdoors
Kevin Bloor summited Whernside on March 8th, 2014 [from/via/route] Horton in ribbledale [with] A group [weather] Cloudy, rain
David Noble conquered Whernside on March 9th, 2014 [from/via/route] Ribblehead Viaduct & down the Eastern slope [weather] Overcast & misty but no rain - No view from Summit as covered with cloud & mist
Kerry Wykes scaled Whernside during March, 2009 [from/via/route] Y3P [with] Friends [weather] Sunny & cold
Fleur Piercy walked up Whernside during July, 2011 [from/via/route] Ingleborough [weather] Rain & wind
James Brocken climbed Whernside on August 18th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ribblehead - Part of 3 Peaks
Sharon Grant bagged Whernside during July, 2013 [from/via/route] Ribblehead circular [with] Karen and Jordan [weather] Lovely sunny day
Darren Mortimer hiked Whernside on June 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] Horton in Ribblesdale [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Sunny
Martin Leighfield summited Whernside on June 19th, 2010 [from/via/route] Yorkshire 3 Peaks
Wyn Griffiths conquered Whernside on September 27th, 2013 [from/via/route] As part of 5 peaks in 3 days [with] Andy Hudspith, Chris Woodhouse & Debs jones [weather] Briliant
Pamela Seniore scaled Whernside on August 4th, 2013 [from/via/route] The Hill Inn, road to Viaduct, up & round the back & down steep dteps & back to The Hill Inn. [with] MB, Shirl & Guesty [weather] Very wet - Approx 4 hours - visibility rubbish! But we did see a steamy on route. Also bagged Whernside again as park of my 3 Yorky Peaks on 31/08/13. Did it in 9 hours 50 mins with sore feet & slight knee injury. Wasn't first lady to cross the line & got beat by Mr Guest....sorry Guesty but that ain't happening again! GREAT Time had with a GREAT Crew ;0)
Beth Webster walked up Whernside during May, 2012 [with] Hannah Phillips, Kate Phillips, Bev and Rick Phillips
Adrian Roberts climbed Whernside on August 18th, 2013 [from/via/route] Ribblehead
Martin Hobson bagged Whernside on June 21st, 2013 [from/via/route] Pen-y-ghent & The Ribblehead Viaduct [with] Peter Mckevitt [weather] Slightly overcast
Stephen Eddy hiked Whernside on May 18th, 2013 [from/via/route] Chapel le dale Yorkshire 3 peaks [with] Mike Woodhouse, Tony Harris, Neil Whitehead [weather] Rain, mist - 10 hours 20 minutes
Gilbert Vasey summited Whernside during June, 2012 [from/via/route] 3peaks fron HiR [with] JD and Mark [weather] Sunny on way up, hail on way down
David Norman conquered Whernside on June 24th, 2011 [from/via/route] Horton in Ribblesdale [with] Matthew Norman (Son) - Second leg of Three Peaks Challenge completed in 11 Hours 58 minutes
Phil Smith scaled Whernside on March 18th, 2009 [from/via/route] NY109
Andrew Heath walked up Whernside during June, 2006 [from/via/route] three peaks [with] Nick and David [weather] horizontal rain at the top
David Lane climbed Whernside on December 16th, 2008 [with] Graham Hunt
Iain Taylor bagged Whernside on October 24th, 2011 [from/via/route] Horton in Ribblesdale (SD 80844 72499)
Adrian Bibby hiked Whernside on September 18th, 2011 [from/via/route] Start from Ribblehead Viaduct, walk to Chapel-le-Dale then over Whernside. return via Blea Moor.
Michael Mcandrew summited Whernside on May 17th, 2009 [from/via/route] walk ny109 - Station Inn, Blea Moor Common, Blue Clay Ridge, Force Gill, Grain Ing, Greensett Moss, Whernside, Broadrake Farm, Ivescar Farm, Winterscales Beck, Gunnerfleet Farm, Ribblehead Railway Viaduct, Station Inn. [with] Debbie Pinder and Cameron McAndrew [weather] Wet & Windy
Simon Wilde conquered Whernside on September 8th, 2012 [from/via/route] Three peaks from Horton in ribblesdale [with] Nicola Wilde & mountain monkeys [weather] Misty morning turning into a beautiful sunny day - 11 hours 49 mins YES!!!!
Dave Gutcher scaled Whernside during 1985 [with] Ernie Roper - Part of 3 Peaks Walk in under 12 hours
Fiona Smales walked up Whernside on May 1st, 2011 [from/via/route] from Pen y Gent [with] Lynda Shepherd [weather] Windy
Malcolm Broughton climbed Whernside on June 21st, 2008 [from/via/route] Horton in Ribblesdale [with] Scouts [weather] wet
Sam Badger bagged Whernside on July 9th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ribblehead Viaduct [with] Wicker Camp Thai Boxing Gym, training for the UK 3 Peaks on behalf of the British Heart Foundation [weather] Overcast with occasional showers & sunshine.
Richard Evered hiked Whernside on April 14th, 2012 [from/via/route] Horton in Ribblesdale [with] Rooney [weather] Cold & wet - Y3P marshall
Simon Neilson-Clark summited Whernside on July 1st, 2012 [from/via/route] Started at Ribblehead Viaduct & then along the railway up Whernside along the ridge to the trig point & then down the other side. Walked along the valley back to the car park [with] Alicia and James ( our first walk together ) He is very good [weather] Low cloud sadly turned to rain & hail at the top but sunny when we came down - James first walk with me He was great company all the way round I think he was a bit tired at the end as he fell asleep in the car on the way home
Christine Shepherd conquered Whernside during October, 2003 [from/via/route] From Horton in Ribblesdale as part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks [with] A group of walkers from St Georges Church, Leeds [weather] Bright Autumn weather. - Had done the three peaks twice before this but couldn't find the dates.
Ian Fraser scaled Whernside on September 19th, 2008 [with] Dunton work colleagues [weather] Fine, clear.
Ray O'hara walked up Whernside on June 6th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ribblehead [weather] Lost in cloud practically the entire way. Very windy & frequently wet. - The walk was just a side show to watching the 'Diamond Jubilee Fellsman' working over the Settle & Carlisle line.
Dan Jackson climbed Whernside on May 26th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ribbleshead [with] Anna, Mark and Jayne Hamilton [weather] Sunny - Followed by a meal at the Station Inn
K. Roelofsen bagged Whernside on May 15th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ribblehead [with] Alone [weather] Sunny
Stewart Rayner hiked Whernside on April 21st, 2012 [from/via/route] Start & finished from Ribblehead Viaduct [with] Mat and Ian (one old and one young ! very young !!!! [weather] weather was ok forecast showers but we managed to avoid any rain but it was very cloudy at the summit - It wasn't at all what I was expecting as this was our first venture into hill walking ! I was very glad when it was over, a very enjoyable day !!!
Lee Senior summited Whernside on September 20th, 2008 [from/via/route] fourth time completing the Yorks Three peaks
Denis Mcallister conquered Whernside on April 7th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ribblehead [with] S/T
Steve Cobb scaled Whernside on April 22nd, 2011 [from/via/route] 3 peaks challenge [with] Phil B and the LGI helipad fund raisers [weather] Very sunny - Part of the 3 peaks challenge, charity walk to raise money for lighting on the Leeds General Infirmary rooftop helipad
Lynn Symonds walked up Whernside on April 23rd, 2011 [from/via/route] Ribble viaduct [with] Sharon Haynes [weather] Sunny - Easter Sunday
Wayne Linley climbed Whernside on January 14th, 2005 [from/via/route] car park near pub [with] mike ogden [weather] overcast, snow on ground - mate was recovering from serious bike accident
Neil Wallbank bagged Whernside on July 9th, 2011 [from/via/route] Ribblehead [with] Katrina [weather] Good
Patrick Rogozinski, Howard Wright, Paul Roddam, Alison Tomlin, Iain Ballard, Andrew Cotter, Nick Leigh, Tomasz B, Wendy Sockett, Rich Roberts, Kevin Devine, Ron Smith, Stephen Stott, John Cuthbert, Linda Mckeogh, Iain Jones, Adam Shewry, Jeanette Coward, Ian Simpson, Emma Morris, Matthew Chambers, Paul Booth, Victoria Bates, John Edwards, Jo White, Trevor Williams, Kenneth Mellor, Martyn Howarth, Louise Sandwith, Dave Milner, Chris Bramley, Wendy Sockett, Chris Turner, Elaine Kenny, Rob Barklamb, Sandra Rudd, Linda Walker, Les Wrightson, Matthew Thomas, Ben George, Steve Davenport, John Reynolds and Stephen Millington have all walked, climbed & bagged Whernside.
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Whernside
Snow on Whernside (left) and Pen-y-ghent from the path up Great Knoutberry Hill (Widdale Fell)
The Yorkshire Three Peaks - Ingleborough (left), Pen-y-ghent (centre) and Whernside (right) from the summit of Fountains Fell
Hayley Me and Jo on top of Whernside Summit - giving the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk another bash
At the top of Ingleborough - with Whernside (left) and Pen-y-ghent (right) in the distance. The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge Walk completed!
On Whernside Summit - taking a breather two thirds of the way round the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk
Heading for Whernside from Ribblehead on The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
Dentdale with Whernside (left) Calf Top (centre) and Aye Gill Pike (right) from Great Knoutberry Hill (Widdale Fell)
Mike (go4awalk.com editor) practising his crampons and ice-axe technique in the snow on Whernside
Whernside (left), The Ribblehead Viaduct (centre) and Park Fell (right) from the summit of Ingleborough
The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge - approaching Whernside from Ribblehead
One of the many streams that flow into Stone Beck on the lower slopes of Great Whernside
Phil, Carl, Chris and Charlie - 1st time Yorkshire 3 Peakers at Whernside summit
Park Fell (left), Simon Fell and Ingleborough (right) from the summit of Whernside while doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk in the snow
Curricks on Great Knoutberry Hill (Widdale Fell) with Ingleborough (centre) and Whernside (right) beyond
The Arten Gill Beck railway viaduct with Ingleborough (far left) and Whernside (centre) on the horizon from Great Knoutberry Hill (Widdale Fell)
. . . see just 20 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Whernside
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