~Ribblehead to Dent~
29th March 2014
Dent Head Farmhouse
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
LMS Class 7P 4-6-0 no 46115 Scots Guardsman
Here at Hellifield, the steam engine and support coach await a charter train from Leicester. The passengers will be treated to a Settle & Carlisle journey on England's most remote and scenically superb mainline railway. My plan is to get ahead of this special train and take a photo somewhere up the line. I await the 09:40 from Hellifield (here) to Carlisle.
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The Service Train at Ribblehead |
Ribblehead Viaduct |
I have about 90 minutes to get over Blea Moor to find one of my favourite spots for "spotting", it's further than you think!
Me in front of Ribblehead Viaduct
A "Three-Peaker" kindly took this photo and we walked together as far as Blea Moor Tunnel. You will notice I am dog-less; Izzy had anothe engagement and Molly is too young. The walker was a Leicester City fan and I follow Burnley - the two teams were due to lock horns later in the day!
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To Whernside / Blea Moor |
Blea Moor Signalbox |
It's a fine day, if a little hazy. The well-worn track to Blea Moor Tunnel is a great little walk in itself. If you find yourself at Ribblehead with a little time to spare, how about an out-and-back to the tunnel? You won't be disappointed, unless it's raining.
Blea Moor Tunnel
Blea Moor
This track must be at least 140 years old, formerly the route for railway navvies to the tunnel shafts.
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At the time of the construction of the tunnel, stationary steam engines would have been used to lift materials out of the shafts and lower workers to the workfaces. On the left is the remains of an engine mounting (maybe) and on the right, one of the vents has gained all sorts of modern paraphernalia. Time is tight and I must rush downhill to the northern end of the tunnel.
Railway Photographers
Since "they" harvested many acres of trees, non-walkers - i.e. car travelling trainspotters can easily reach this special vantage point. Prior to the felling, the most company I ever had was one other chap. Today, there were six others when I arrived. I wanted to stand behind a wall, but the chap with the vintage camera told me I would be in his line of sight, so I joined the mass trespass. It won't be long before a different "they" put up a high steel fence.
46115 Scots Guardsman exits Blea Moor Tunnel
On time and making all the right noises, another impressive performance from one of the fleet of preserved steam locomotives. We are approaching the 25th anniversary of the announcement to save the Settle & Carlisle Railway from closure. There will be special events, expect something from me in that regard.
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"The Hadrian" will reach Carlisle and then head east for Durham and the like, before heading south again to return the passengers to Leicester. On the right is a view from the head of Dentdale. On my own again, the other photographers sauntered off, the chat being about wheel arrangements and tractive effort, soon to change their shoes and jump back into their cars.
Dent Head Farmhouse
This is wonderful, one of quite a few farmhouses that I will see on this walk, but which are not easily seen from the roadside. I've been in this farmhouse, before it was restored, they've done a great job and it is good to see a once ruined property back in use.
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The next couple of miles were spent on the tarmac, but it really didn't matter as there is so little traffic at this time of year.
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Arten Gill Viaduct can be seen through the trees; The Sportsman pub was open but I have never been in and so the case remains. Dogs are not welcome and whilst I didn't have one with me, I can't see the point in having a pub in this kind of location and not allowing dogs into some part of the premises.
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Private Bridge |
Fletchers |
I left the road at the wooden signpost, which points towards Ewescales. The private bridge is a very attractive way to enter your home and garden; Fletchers is named such on the map and is the first of many properties that I have not walked past previously - all on the south / south-west side of the River Dee.
Cowgill
The hamlet of Cowgill and maybe you can make out the road up to Dent Railway Station.
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Hobsons |
Ewescales |
Ewescales Farm offers a camping field. I chose to follow another stretch of rarely used tarmac on the way to Dent.
Chaffinch
The Dales Way
At Mill Bridge, I joined the river footpath, which happens to be part of The Dales Way. It has to be said that it is an uncomortable and narrow path - rutted and boggy. If it wasn't part of a long distance route, then it would probably be a lot better!
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Dent
Journey's end in Dent. I popped into The Sun Inn for a shandy and it was jolly good to have a seat after several hours away from such comfort. Dentdale is a lovely valley and always worth a closer look.
Sun Inn, Dent
Me 'n a couple of mates stayed here many years ago. The Western Dales Bus took me to the station, I was the only customer on the bus and the only passenger joining to join the 15:40hrs service back to Hellifield. Seekers of solitude will find much to enjoy in this part of the world.
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Integrated Transport System
The Train
Walkers: Just Me.
Time taken: 4hrs 30mins over a distance of about 12 miles.
Route: Ribblehead Station, Blea Moor, Dent Head, road to Fletchers, fields to Ewescales, road to Dent. Highly recommended on a day such as this, with variations to reduce the amount of road walking.
Refreshments: A refreshing drink at The Sun Inn, Dent. Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on the floor, there were no obvious footsteps on the ceiling.
Weather: Pleasant Spring day, light winds and somewhat hazy.
Result: Burnley 0 Leicester 2 - three of our best players were absent and a fourth was injured early in the game; the full strength outfit would have hunted down the Foxes with time to spare!
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2014 ©
Take me back to the start ....