I swear, I’ll never get bored wandering through the Yorkshire Dales 🌿✨

This place is packed with jaw-dropping scenery and endless trails to explore – no wonder everyone calls it ‘God’s own country’! 😍

With the sun smiling down on us, we strapped on our boots and set out to conquer Whernside, the tallest peak in the National Park ⛰️

Famous as one of the legendary Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Whernside towers at an epic 736 metres (2,415 ft) above sea level 😎
Famous as one of the legendary Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Whernside towers at an epic 736 metres (2,415 ft) above sea level 😎

Pulling in thousands of hikers every year for its tough climb and insane views along the way, this peak also scores big thanks to being super close to the historic Ribblehead Viaduct 🥾🌄

One of Britain’s most iconic railway bridges, the grand scale of this Victorian viaduct is guaranteed to fill you with awe.
One of Britain’s most iconic railway bridges, the massive Victorian viaduct will leave you totally in awe 😲🚂

Just a quick stroll from the car park, the trail kicks off right by this Grade II listed masterpiece – giving you the perfect chance to soak it all in before your epic mountain climb 🏞️✨

Thinking of taking on this adventure yourself? 

Breathtaking views from the summit
Get ready for jaw-dropping views from the summit 🏔️

So, where exactly is Whernside? 🗺️

Tucked away in the rolling hills of North Yorkshire, Whernside sits just 6 miles (10 km) north of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park 🌿⛰️

Wondering where to park for the Whernside Walk? 🅿️

Along Blea Moor Rd, you’ll find loads of free roadside parking 🚗 Just a heads up – on a sunny day, it fills up fast, so get here early!

Pro tip – be mindful when parking! No hatched markings here, and spots are limited. Don’t be that person taking up space for multiple cars 😅

Car Park Address: Blea Moor Rd, Carnforth LA6 3AS 📍

So, how long does it take to climb Whernside? ⏱️

On our latest Whernside adventure, we wrapped it up in just under 3 hours ⏳

For most walkers, you can comfortably tackle this route in 3–4 hours at a steady pace 

Whernside Walk – here’s the route info 🗺️

Distance: 13.32 km (8.3 miles) 

Time: 3–4 hours ⏱️

Elevation Gain: 489 metres 

Starting Point: Ribblehead Viaduct Car Park, Blea Moor Rd, Carnforth LA6 3AS 📍

Grid Reference: SD 76548 79292 

Whernside Walk – your step-by-step guide ✨

Kick off from the car park and follow the trail straight towards the Ribblehead Viaduct 🚶‍♀️

Follow the trail back to the car park.

When the path splits, swing right and follow the sign pointing to Whernside 🥾

Where the path splits, take the trail to the right, following the signpost for Whernside.

Climb up the short incline, slip through the gate, and stroll past Blea Moor railway station 🚂

Head up the short incline, through the gate and walk past the Blea Moor railway station.

Stick to the trail along Winterscales Beck, crossing the little bridge or stepping over the river 🌊

Keep to the trail along Winterscales Beck, passing over the small bridge or over the river crossing.

Look to your left and catch the stunning Force Gill waterfall in all its glory ✨

To your left you’ll see the marvelous Force Gill waterfall.

At the top of the first hill, take the left over the stile and follow the winding path up to Whernside’s summit 🏞️

Begin the steep uphill climb!

At the top of the first hill, take the left over the stile and follow the winding path up to Whernside’s summit 🏞️

Take care with your footing as you get closer to the peak since the trail starts become rather rocky and uneven.

Once you hit the summit, soak in those jaw-dropping vistas 🏔️

Once you reach the top, enjoy the jaw-dropping vistas!

Keep following the trail and start descending the other side of the mountain – watch your step, it gets super steep and rocky in parts ⚠️

Continue along the trail and begin descending via the opposite side of the mountain, taking great care since the route gets VERY steep and rocky in segments.

At the bottom of the descent, take a left following the signposts for ‘Winterscales’ 🍦 (Optional: treat yourself to an ice-cream from the van!)

At the bottom of the descent, take the left turning, following the signposts for ‘Winterscales’

Stay on the trail, pass through a few gates, and watch for signs pointing back to the viaduct 🚶‍♀️

Keep along the trail and pass through several gates, keeping an eye out for signs directing you towards the viaduct.

When you reach this gate, don’t go through – follow the ‘Viaduct’ sign pointing right 🏞️

Once you reach this gate, don’t pass through it. Follow the ‘Viaduct’ signpost signalling you to turn right.

Stick to the trail until you spot the bridge on your left 🌉 Then cross it and head straight to the Viaduct 🏰

Keep to the trail until you see this bridge on your left. Cross the bridge and make your way to the Viaduct.

Follow the trail all the way back to the car park 🌄

Follow the trail back to the car park.

Congratulations! You’ve officially conquered Whernside! 💪

Our epic adventure on the Whernside Walk 😎

This was my second time climbing Whernside, but my girlfriend’s first time 😎

The first time I tackled it was during the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge – so tough that I couldn’t really enjoy the climb!

This time, summiting on its own was pure joy. We kept a steady pace and soaked in every bit of the stunning panoramas around us ✨

The ridge views out to Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough, and the viaduct are absolutely breathtaking, and the gentle stroll through the lush green fields and farmsteads after the steep descent was the perfect way to wrap up an epic day 💚

Whernside was much more manageable when you didn’t have the oncoming prospect of Ingleborough to contend with!
Whernside felt way more manageable without the looming challenge of Ingleborough waiting for us! 😅

A key player in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge 🏔️

As mentioned, many hikers tackling Whernside are actually taking on the full Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge 💪

The goal? Conquer Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough all within 12 hours – with Whernside usually coming in as the second peak on this tough adventure 😅

Check out this video I shot halfway up Whernside – it really shows the scale of the challenge. To the left in the distance is Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough sits in the center, and Whernside’s summit is all the way to the far right 🎥

FAQs ❓

The story behind the Ribblehead Viaduct 🚂

Undeniably one of Britain’s greatest Victorian engineering feats, the Ribblehead Viaduct was designed by John Crosby, chief engineer for the Midland Railway, back in 1869 🚂

It’s the longest and third tallest structure on the Settle–Carlisle line, built to tackle the Yorkshire Dales’ rugged and challenging terrain 🏞️

Ribblehead Viaduct as seen from Whernside 📸

Throughout the hike, you’ll be treated to views of the Ribblehead Viaduct from all angles
Throughout the hike, you’ll catch epic views of the Ribblehead Viaduct from every angle 😎

Construction kicked off in late 1869, with an incredible workforce of around 2,300 men – sadly, over 100 lost their lives during the build 💔

The viaduct was finally completed by the end of 1874 and opened to the public on 1st May 1876 🎉

Curious if you can walk across the Ribblehead Viaduct? 🚶‍♀️

You can explore under and around the viaduct, but walking across it isn’t allowed 🚫

Still, the views from the ground are absolutely stunning, and if you hang out long enough, you might catch a train chugging by ✨

How many men lost their lives building the Ribblehead Viaduct? 💔

Over 100 men lost their lives building the Ribblehead Viaduct ⚒️

When including workers’ wives and children, it’s estimated that over 200 people sadly passed away.

With families living in makeshift shanty towns near the site, deaths weren’t only from accidents – smallpox outbreaks and even fatal fights also added to the tragic toll 😔

Can you drive under the Ribblehead Viaduct? 🚗

To get up close to the Ribblehead Viaduct, you’ll need to go on foot 🚶‍♀️

You can park nearby, but you can’t drive under the bridge – just follow the walking trail for a few hundred metres from the car park and you’re there 🏞️