A Yorkshire Dales route that includes a traverse of Blea Moor from Ribblehead. The return route follows a section of the Dales Way across Gayle Moor. The walk includes some unavoidable road walking.
Calculated time: 4h40[?] 
Distance : 8.28mi
Vertical gain : 984ft
Vertical drop : 981ft
Highest point : 1631ft
Lowest point : 958ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Yorkshire Dales 
Location : Ingleton (North Yorkshire)
Starting point : N 54.208731° / W 2.361426° (D/A) The start is Ribblehead (grid ref. SD766792) where there are many opportunities for parking. Usually there is also a van serving refreshments. After parking take the often busy path running beneath the eastern side of Ribblehead Viaduct. Continue alongside the railway climbing gently passing Blea Moor signal box on your left. Reaching a junction (grid ref. SD760812) where the path to Whernside and Dent turns left across a railway bridge, keep straight ahead on a clear track.
(1) Down to your left the railway enters Blea Moor Tunnel and the onward route follows the course of this tunnel across the moor passing the tunnel ventilation shafts that were so vital in the days of steam locomotives. The track soon starts to descend with views of Upper Dentdale and Great Knoutberry Hill opening up ahead of you.
(2) Just before you reach the northern portal of Blea Moor Tunnel, bear left where the track divides and drop down to Dent Head Farm. Turn right along their access road to a lane (grid ref. SD777843). Turn right. You are now on the Dales Way and you follow this road, climbing steadily.
(3) Staying with the Dales Way, bear right onto a bridleway (grid ref. SD786836) that leads across Stoops Moss and onto Gayle Moor. The going is almost level before you start to descend into upper Ribbledale. Just before reaching a cross wall, follow the Dales Way as it turns sharp right (grid ref. SD786817). The Dales Way undulates across the hillside with High Gayle Farm below on your left. The path shadows the intake wall and where this turns left, the path follows suit dropping down to pass Winshaw and the B6255.
(4) Turn right along the road. You can avoid walking on tarmac as the road is unfenced on its northern side and you can cross the grassy slopes and under Runscar Scar using sheep trods and your own sense of direction back to the start(D/A). However do be careful on this section as there are old mine workings and sink holes.
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 961ft
1 : mi 2.11 - alt. 1227ft - Tunnel entrance
2 : mi 3.44 - alt. 1257ft - To the left
3 : mi 4.7 - alt. 1362ft - Bear right
4 : mi 7.01 - alt. 1050ft - Turn right
D/A : mi 8.28 - alt. 958ft
This walk crosses some bleak landscapes, which for part of the way is shared by the Settle and Carlisle Railway. The route is generally easy to follow with a section of the Dales Way and Ribble Way joined for part of the route. The only disadvantage is some roadside walking on the final section. However there is open ground on this section so you can avoid walking on the tarmac.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4/5
Number of opinions : 2
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 4/5
Global average : 3.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 18/09/21
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
A lovely walk overall although directions at the start could have been better. The description told us that where the path crosses the railway, take the path straight ahead. Whereas in fact the correct path is a good way back from the bridge over the railway and goes off clearly to the right. Another point says to take a left fork before reaching the end of the tunnel whereas the path only goes one way now past the tunnel exit towards the farm. Other than that we really enjoyed this walk, not at all busy, most people were walking up Whernside itself. There is a lot of roadside walking but that was ok as there were plenty of places to jump into to avoid the traffic
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 19/03/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
The route up to Blea Moor (following the course of the subterranean railway tunnel) is significantly more than a 'gentle climb'. The rough going along a brick-strewn track made for arduous walking in some places. But: taken as a whole; a very enjoyable circuit, despite the unavoidable road-walk back to the start-point.
12.05mi
+2195ft
-2182ft
7h25
Average
Starting point in Austwick - North Yorkshire A lovely walk with changing landscapes and panoramas. From the quiet and scenic Crummack Dale, via limestone escarpments and limestone pavement, you will join the three peaks path to the summit of Ingleborough where you will be rewarded with excellent views on a clear day. The return leg is via the pothole of Gaping Gill and the gorge at Trow Gill before crossing back into Crummack Dale.
1.03mi
+75ft
-75ft
0h30
Easy
Starting point in Hawes - North Yorkshire Pleasant walk from Hawes to Gayle bridge and back.
5.45mi
+1047ft
-1020ft
3h25
Average
Starting point in Settle - North Yorkshire This short walk explores the limestone scenery to the east of Settle and includes the area in the vicinity of Attermire Scar.
6.99mi
+1722ft
-1719ft
4h45
Average
Starting point in Sedbergh - Cumbria Winder and Arant Haw are two hills included in this delightful walk from Sedbergh. The Howgill Fells are an integral part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park yet they display a unique character. The walking is good, the views superb and the paths quiet. Who could ask for more?
5.17mi
+1703ft
-1699ft
3h50
Difficult
Starting point in Sedbergh - Cumbria Cautley Spout, the Calf, Bram Rigg Top, Calders and Great Dummacks are all included in this walk in the Howgill Fells. Starting from Cross Keys, near Sedbergh, the route offers excellent walking within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and visits one of most dramatic locations in these hills.
6.84mi
+1811ft
-1677ft
4h45
Average
Starting point in Sedbergh - Cumbria This walk climbs to the Calf via Fell Head. Starting from the small hamlet of Howgill, near Sedbergh, this route sees few walkers. Offering good views to the Shap Fells and the higher hills of the Yorkshire Dales, this is a walk for the connoiseur.
8.13mi
+702ft
-699ft
4h20
Average
Starting point in Malham - North Yorkshire A great circular walk from Malham village, taking in Janet's Cave / Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn, the limestone pavement at the top of Malham Cove and the cove itself before finishing back at the car. Consistently interesting and varied scenery.
Please note that there is a scramble up steep water worn rock in Goredale. Some people might find this challenging.
11.15mi
+1617ft
-1588ft
6h30
Average
Starting point in Malham - North Yorkshire A nice circular walk from Malham in a westerly direction towards Settle and then curving north past Attermire Scar with a detour to explore Victoria Cave. The loop returns towards Malham via Malham Cove. Interesting and varied scenery throughout the walk and mostly on well maintained paths or tracks.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
