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~Ribblehead to Dent Village~

24th November 2012

Very much a repeat of the walk of 11th August this year. A few subtle differences on the ground and a big difference in the sky. Wellies or Walking Boots? That is the question.

Blea Moor South Portal

Blea Moor Tunnel

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

Hellifield Station Ribblehead Station
Hellifield Railway Station
Ribblehead Railway Station

The Journey by Rail

I catch the 09:40 service for Carlisle from Hellifield. Back in August the train was full and numerous folk disembarked at Ribblehead; this time the carriages were less than half full and just three of us got off at our destination. Pluto the Dog is with me today. My first walk outside home territory for nearly a month.

Ribblehead Viaduct

Ribblehead Viaduct

Whernside is cloaked in layers of mist and cloud. There are no steam trains due today, so no camera-laden enthusiasts spoling the views!

Other Walkers

Double Vision?

It looks as though the two walkers close to the camera have also left themselves a little further back. I think the season of Three Peaking must be over as far as walkers are concerned. I didn't see any muddy-trousered marchers.

Pluto

Pluto

Blea Moor Signal Box

Blea Moor Signal Box

I'm sure I could be a signalman at Blea Moor, if ever the vacancy and need arose. You just pull a few levers every now and again.

Force Gill Aqueduct

Force Gill Aqueduct over the Settle-Carlisle Railway

Settle-Carlisle Railway

Looking South Towards Ingleborough

I'm wearing walking boots. I remembered that the path up to Whernside is largely flagged and restored and so should present few problems despite the heavy rainfall of recent weeks.

Whernside Path

To Whernside

The mist is layered and on the move, so hopefully there will be views from the summit.

Whernside Tarn

Whernside Tarn

This is not one of those tarns where families gather and sit on rugs and eat their packed lunches.

Whernside Ascent Route

Whernside Ascent

Whernside Ridge

~~~~~

Whernside Summit

Whernside Summit 2,415ft asl

It was rather cool and damp up here. It was decision time at just after noon. The only train I want to catch is the 15:49 from Ribblehead, but I have the option of walking either to Dent village or Dent Station and catching the train from the latter. The Dent option will more effectively fill the available time.

Whernside Descent

To Deepdale Lane

Basically a case of follow the wall, avoid the sink holes and soon enough we'll find Deepdale Lane.

Deepdale

Deepdale

Deepdale Road Waterfall
Deepdale Road
Waterfall in Gastack Beck

On Deepdale Road I had the choice of going over the stile and into Deepdale or following the tarmac. Given Pluto's freedom off the lead and the many sheep on view in the valley, I chose the tarmac. No cars came past and no boots got unreasonably muddy.

Into Deepdale

Into Deepdale from Willans (Farm)

I decided to chance a walk into Deepdale and along fields to Dyke Hall Lane. To be honest, I wish I hadn't bothered. Very muddy in places and plenty of stiles not suited to dogs.

River Dee

River Dee

Now walking on a stretch of the Dales Way and heading for Dent Village. Here, from the right, Deepdale Beck flows into the River Dee.

Dent Village

Dent Village

The muddiest part of the walk was this final stretch into Dent. The riverside path is fenced away from the fields and therefore everyone is walking a very narrow track and it is grim!

Church Bridge Dent

Church Bridge, Dent

Dent Brewery

Spot The Dog!

The Dent Brewery at The George & Dragon Hotel in Dent. Dent is a great little village and is largely spared the litter of modern street furniture. I'd have thought it makes good sense not to park on the main street, but this couple thought otherwise. The dog is actually called "Spot", but well spotted nonetheless.

Dent Village

Dent

The Stone Close, Dent

Stone Close Cafe (library photo)

Just time for a brew in Stone Close cafe. I have yet to reach the bottom of the main street where there is another cafe and one or two other points of interest. The bus, for the railway station, is due at 15:15hrs and I arrive here with fifteen minutes to spare.

Dent Railway Station

Dent Railway Station

Dent Railway Station

Dent Railway Station - in August

Last time, nearly 40 people waited for the train. This time it's five.

Another fine linear walk using public transport links.

Walkers: Me and Pluto The Dog.

Time taken: 5hrs from Ribblehead Station to Stone Close tearoom, over a distance of about 10 miles.

Route: Ribblehead Sation, Blea Moor Tunnel, Whernside, Deepdale Road, Willans Farm, Dyke Hall Lane, Dales Way to Dent.

Weather and Conditions: Very weak sunshine, misty and cool.

Greetings Count: A quiet walk with a lack of the typical hasty, perspiring Three Peakers.

Richard's Refreshment Review: The Stone Close Tearoom is dog-friendly and offers a good menu.

What Do You Think? - If you don't use "Outlook", just read the email address and send me a message from your usual email facility. Comments might be published, please tell me if you don't want that to happen and I will also edit messages if they contain personal stuff that the world doesn't need to see. Hover your pointer over the link and the target might appear in the bottom left of your screen.

Those Useful Links:

The August Walk

Dalesbus: A deep and wide website with lots of stuff about rail and bus links.

Friends of The Settle-Carlisle Railway

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2012 ©

Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....