Ribblehead via Blea Moor up Whernside: route map, distance and time
737 m · Yorkshire Dales
Whernside is the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the county top of North Yorkshire, a long ridge above the Ribblehead Viaduct.
A track passes the viaduct and Blea Moor signal box, then climbs past Force Gill onto the ridge and south to the summit.
Ribblehead via Blea Moor at a glance
| Distance | 4.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 454 m |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ribblehead (roadside parking near the viaduct) |
| Start grid reference | SD 764 790 |
| Summit grid reference | SD 738 815 |
Ribblehead via Blea Moor 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ribblehead via Blea Moor takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 10m |
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 07:43, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:30 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:28 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Whernside summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 37 mph gusting 46 mph, 39% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Ribblehead via Blea Moor: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Whernside forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb 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 -3°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- 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 Whernside
Whernside is the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the county top of North Yorkshire, a long ridge above the Ribblehead Viaduct. More about Whernside, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, county top.
Challenges that include Whernside
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 764 790, the summit at SD 738 815), 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.
Ribblehead via Blea Moor: questions and answers
How far is Ribblehead via Blea Moor?
Ribblehead via Blea Moor is 4.5 km one way to the summit of Whernside, with 454 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.0 km.
How long does Ribblehead via Blea Moor take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Whernside and 2h 35m 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 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ribblehead via Blea Moor?
Ribblehead via Blea Moor starts from Ribblehead (roadside parking near the viaduct). The grid reference is SD 764 790.
Is Ribblehead via Blea Moor 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 Ribblehead via Blea Moor today?
By 14:30 at the latest. Sunset on Whernside today is 18:05, Ribblehead via Blea Moor takes about 2h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ribblehead via Blea Moor?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).