Kettlewell via Hag Dyke up Great Whernside: route map, distance and time
704 m · Yorkshire Dales
Great Whernside is a broad gritstone-topped fell above Kettlewell in Upper Wharfedale, climbed by a steep path past Hag Dyke to a rocky summit ridge.
A path climbs beside Dowber Gill Beck and past Hag Dyke, then up boggy ground to the summit boulders.
Kettlewell via Hag Dyke at a glance
| Distance | 5.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 474 m |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Kettlewell car park |
| Start grid reference | SD 970 738 |
| Summit grid reference | SE 002 739 |
Kettlewell via Hag Dyke map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Blue Bell Inn1.5 km
- The Racehorses1.5 km
- Fox and Hounds2.0 km
- Cottage Tea Room1.5 km
- &then Tasting Deli1.5 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Public toilets2.0 km
- Kettlewell Camping Top Field1.2 km
- Wharfe Camp1.2 km
- Low Hall Farm1.6 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Kettlewell via Hag Dyke takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 30m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:01, sunset 16:42. Start by 12:52 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:03, sunset 16:40. Start by 12:50 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Great Whernside summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 46 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:01, sunset 16:42.
-
Good Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 4°C, summit wind 21 mph gusting 27 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:03, sunset 16:40.
Best day of the next seven for Kettlewell via Hag Dyke: Tuesday 3 November, with summit gusts around 11 mph and a 10% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Great Whernside forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Great Whernside?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 46 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Great Whernside
Great Whernside is a broad gritstone-topped fell above Kettlewell in Upper Wharfedale, climbed by a steep path past Hag Dyke to a rocky summit ridge. More about Great Whernside, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Great Whernside
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 970 738, the summit at SE 002 739), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Kettlewell via Hag Dyke: questions and answers
How far is Kettlewell via Hag Dyke?
Kettlewell via Hag Dyke is 5.1 km one way to the summit of Great Whernside, with 474 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.2 km.
How long does Kettlewell via Hag Dyke take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Great Whernside and 2h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 30m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Kettlewell via Hag Dyke?
Kettlewell via Hag Dyke starts from Kettlewell car park. The grid reference is SD 970 738.
Is Kettlewell via Hag Dyke suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Kettlewell via Hag Dyke today?
By 12:52 at the latest. Sunset on Great Whernside today is 16:42, Kettlewell via Hag Dyke takes about 2h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Kettlewell via Hag Dyke?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).