CHAPTER 8: The Greta Headwaters

Batty Moss Viaduct
Walk 16: Whernside from Chapel-le-Dale
The River Greta (Chapel Beck) ... 127
Map: OL2 (please read the general note about the walks in the Introduction).
Starting point: A lay-by on the north side of the B6255 200m northwest of Hill Inn (744777).
Walk past the Hill Inn to take Philpin Lane north to Bruntscar. This is on the Three Peaks walk route but you will avoid the
steep, knee-jarring slog up the reinforced thoroughfare on the flank of Whernside by taking a more leisurely uphill amble, mainly
on grass.
Turn left past Bruntscar and Ellerbeck and on to the bridleway southwest. After about 1km leave the bridleway to cut across
to the straight wall that runs up the West Fell ridge. Follow this wall all the way to the top of Whernside, 1km before which you
rejoin the Three Peaks thoroughfare.
From the top, drop down the slope (steep but not too steep) to reach the remains of a wall 0.5km east and follow it northeast,
investigating the Greensett caves and potholes, as you wish. Follow the wall down east to see the Force Gill waterfalls. Rejoin the
footpath to cross the railway line and after 1km go under the railway to Winterscales and Ivescar. From Ivescar take the footpath
south to Winterscales Beck. Continue on the road and then footpath back to Philpin Lane, noting the caves and potholes and the
signs of damage wrought when the beck is in spate.
When planning a high-level walk, it is always worth having a low-level alternative in mind, for often on arrival we find that
the tops have gathered cloud. Here there is a fine loop walk under the shelter of Whernside: from Chapel-le-Dale take Oddie’s
Lane to Twisleton Hall, then follow the footpath across Scales Moor to Bruntscar and on to Winterscales, and then work your
way back along Winterscales Beck.
Short walk variation: Follow the long walk through Bruntscar and Ellerbeck to the West Fell ridge. Walk by the wall north past
Combe Scar to where it is joined from the right by the broad path from Bruntscar (part of the Three Peaks route). Now you must
summon up all your resolve to not walk the further 1km to the top of Whernside, just 140m higher: this is supposed to be a short
walk and you really cannot expect to get to the highest point of the Yorkshire Dales on a short walk. So, with great fortitude, take
the path down to Bruntscar and back to Philpin Lane.
This is Chapter 8 of The Land of the Lune (2nd edition), http://www.drakkar.co.uk/landofthelune.html, Copyright © 2010 John Self