Whernside via Dent and Flintergill
Walk 11 - Whernside via Dent and Flintergill - 14 miles - A long day out but very worthwhile! Approach to Whernside by lesser used Northern route but Occupation Road can be tedious due to off-road vehicle usage- Allow 7 hours with stops. Back to Ribblehead
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Dent Village
Alight at Dent Station and follow minor road down hill. Turn left at bottom and immediately over bridge turn right to follow path alongside river bank. This route eventually joins the minor road to Dent for about 300m at which point a gate and footpath bearing left is reached.
The path is well defined crossing a field and woods and three fields, then bearing left to follow a vehicle track at Hackergill Farm. After series of fields Laithbank is reached. Bear right down farm track turning left at minor road. After a short while look for footpath on the right leading down to river bank bearing slightly right to cross small beck on the way. At the river cross footbridge and turn left follow river bank for 1 mile until eventually forced to turn right to meet minor road. Turn left along road and proceed into Dent.
100m after Sun Inn turn left. The road becomes a track and weaves it's way steeply up Flintergill, an attractive dried up ravine (at least it was dry in Summer) to reach a T junction at the top.
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Approaching Whernside along Occupation Road
Turn left and follow the Occupation Road for 3½miles. Unfortunately part of this is eroded by off road vehicles and it can become a bit tedious (apart from the view!). The track will eventually meet a minor road from Dent to Kingsdale. Turn right along the road for no more than ¼mile looking for a gate on the left (no sign post). Passing through the gate start the ascent of Whernside on a lesser used (but obvious) grassy path.
From the summit trig point continue along ridge path for approx ½ mile turning left down steep slope, crossing two stiles to reach Bruntscar. At 3rd stile turn left along path to Ivescar Farm. At the farm bear right and pass diagonally across five small fields (towards viaduct). Turn left along vehicle track for short distance towards Gunnerfleet Farm. Turn right to cross bridge and follow track for ½ mile passing under viaduct and return to Ribblehead