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Close to the lovely market town of Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, we have a weekend’s hiking, exploring limestone dales, moorland, a high summit, woodland and waterfalls. Day one takes advantage of the scenic Settle to Carlisle Railway – we take a short train ride and enjoy a linear adventure on a quieter route to the summit of Whernside – the Park’s highest Peak. Day two is an exploration of beautiful upper Swaledale, taking in rugged gills with waterfalls, high moorland, woods and riverside meadows in one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful valleys. We’ve carefully researched these routes to offer you a weekend of contrasts and delight, making the most of early summer landscapes and emerging wildlife.
£98.00
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Whernside via Dentdale.
The Route: This is a linear adventure which takes in Whernside, the Yorkshires Dales’ highest peak at 2415ft / 736m. We park at Ribblehead Station and hop on the Settle to Carlise Railway, alighting at Dent, high above Dentdale. From here the walk descends down the lane and follows a quiet path along the riverside and through meadows in the valley. We then climb up high onto moorland via Whernsides Tarns – watch out for curlews, other ground nesting birds and hares. We head onto Whernside’s summit ridge where there are great views of Ingleborough, Twisleton Scar and the famous Ribblehead Viaduct below. Descending off the ridge, we’ll walk under the viaduct to Ribblehead Station where our cars are parked – but first we’ll walk past the Station Inn, stopping for a well-earned cuppa, cake or a pint!
Sunday 5 May 2024 – Swaledale, Swinner Gill and Gunnerside Gill.
The Route: This is a wonderful walk, full of contrasts, from one of Yorkshire’s finest valleys. We park in the village of Muker, walking high with fabulous views into Upper Swaledale, before descending to see the impressive Kidson Force. Our walk continues along the Coast to Coast trail, up Swinner Gill with its striking waterfalls, before reaching a short section of open moorland at 1847ft / 563m – Lapwings and Curlews nest here in Spring. A descent down into Gunnerside Gill reveals another great gulley, with fascinating evidence of mine workings. The walk down this valley along the riverside is a joy, taking us through woodland and into the village of Gunnerside for a cuppa at one of the local tea rooms. From here, there’s a choice to walk through the ancient meadows alongside the River Swale back to Muker – the famous Swaledale cow barns and sheep are aplenty here. Or you can hop on the community bus if you prefer (if it’s not working we’ll come and fetch you!).
Please note: On both days, to maximise your enjoyment and safety, it’s possible we may have to alter routes according to weather conditions and party ability. Or, in the event that trains are not running. Alternative routes will be in the same area.
| The Walk | Saturday 4 May 2024 – Whernside via Dentdale. The Route: This is a linear adventure which takes in Whernside, the Yorkshires Dales’ highest peak at 2415ft / 736m. We park at Ribblehead Station and hop on the Settle to Carlise Railway, alighting at Dent, high above Dentdale. From here the walk descends down the lane and follows a quiet path along the riverside and through meadows in the valley. We then climb up high onto moorland via Whernsides Tarns – watch out for curlews, other ground nesting birds and hares. We head onto Whernside’s summit ridge where there are great views of Ingleborough, Twisleton Scar and the famous Ribblehead Viaduct below. Descending off the ridge, we’ll walk under the viaduct to Ribblehead Station where our cars are parked – but first we’ll walk past the Station Inn, stopping for a well-earned cuppa, cake or a pint! Sunday 5 May 2024 – Swaledale, Swinner Gill and Gunnerside Gill. The Route: This is a wonderful walk, full of contrasts, from one of Yorkshire’s finest valleys. We park in the village of Muker, walking high with fabulous views into Upper Swaledale, before descending to see the impressive Kidson Force. Our walk continues along the Coast to Coast trail, up Swinner Gill with its striking waterfalls, before reaching a short section of open moorland at 1847ft / 563m – Lapwings and Curlews nest here in Spring. A descent down into Gunnerside Gill reveals another great gulley, with fascinating evidence of mine workings. The walk down this valley along the riverside is a joy, taking us through woodland and into the village of Gunnerside for a cuppa at one of the local tea rooms. From here, there’s a choice to walk through the ancient meadows alongside the River Swale back to Muker – the famous Swaledale cow barns and sheep are aplenty here. Or you can hop on the community bus if you prefer (if it’s not working we’ll come and fetch you!). |
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Here’s an Essential Kit Kist for all our walks >
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Whernside via Dentdale.
Parking: We meet at Ribblehead Railway Station Car Park, Ribblehead Station, Low Sleights Road, Craven, LA6 3J. Parking is currently free. From here we will catch an eight minute train to Dent Station – walking back to Ribblehead to pick up our cars.
Please see a Google Map showing the location of Ribblehead Station here.
Sunday 5 May 2024 – Swaledale, Swinner Gill and Gunnerside Gill.
Parking: We meet at Muker Village Car Park, Guning Lane, Richmondshire, DL11 6QG. The parking is Pay and Display and (currently) costs £4.50 using coins only. RingGo users can pay by calling 01748 580000 , SMS 81025 (Location ID 31810)
Please see a Google Map showing the location of Muker Car Park here.
Coming by Bus or Train?
We’re keen to support public transport use and reduce emissions. If you’re arriving reasonably nearby, we’ll give you a free lift. Ask us when you book.
Saturday: At Ribblehead Station where we meet there are no toilets. The Station Inn, opposite the station entrance, has toilets, food and accommodation.
See a map of the local area here.
Sunday: In the village of Muker where we meet, there are public toilets (20p coins required). The Village has a pub, tea room, heritage centre and accommodation. The nearby village of Gunnerside also has public toilets (20p coins required), a pub, hotel, tea rooms and accommodation.
See a map of the local area here.
These are Harder Walks. Here is our walk difficulty guide >
We have created a separate page of the most frequently asked questions here >
Where to Stay?
We’d recommend Hawes in Wenslydale, a small market town in the Yorkshire Dales and no more than 30 mins drive from the start of both of our walks. It has a YHA hostel, pubs, hotel, shops, chippy, other B and B and self-catering accommodation, a fuel station and public toilets (as with public toilets in many local villages and towns there’s a charge of 2op so it’s worth having a supply of coins!). Hawes is a 20 min drive from Dent or Garsdale Head train stations and served by local buses.
Hawes has plenty to offer if you are staying there, including the Wenslydale Creamery and Shop, Dales Museum, shorter walks to Hardraw Force, or Aysgill Force, or the Red Squirrel Trail in Snaizeholme Wood.
We all want to respect, protect and enjoy the fragile upland environments where we walk, so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come. Following The Countryside Code really helps…
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