Kettlewell
If you have visited the Yorkshire Dales National Park, then chances are that you have been to Kettlewell.
Kettlewell is probably the largest village in Upper Wharfedale and it once was a meeting place of packhorse and drovers’ routes. Nowadays Kettlewell is a hub for walkers who use many of those old bridleways.
Walking
Our favourite destination from Kettlewell is the summit of Great Whernside. Not to be confused with the Whernside that dominates the head of Ribblesdale and which is 32m higher.
Great Whernside is still a major fell and is higher than Pen-y-ghent, one of the famed Yorkshire Three Peaks. But Great Whernside has far fewer visitors and that is how we like it best.
When you have reached the summit, you can enjoy a flat ridge walk north with glorious views of Nidderdale to your right and Wharfedale to the left.
If you like an easy stroll with great views of Wharfedale, then head towards Starbottom. Even though this 4,5-mile circular walk runs alongside the B6160, the scenes are unspoilt because you will walk on a higher level and the road below will be out of view most of the time.
Or take the higher ground and walk up Old Cote Moor top. This 9-mile walk follows the exposed ridge separating Wharfedale and Littondale, offering superb fellside views, and returning along the tranquil riverside from Buckden.
If you follow the Dales Way you will pass through Kettlewell.
The Dales Way runs for 80 miles from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria, following mostly riverside paths and passing through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the gentle foothills of southern Lakeland to the shore of England’s grandest lake.
Cool Places to Explore: Bolton Abbey | Ribblesdale | Swaledale | Aysgarth Falls.
