Great Shunner Fell - Wensleydale

Friday 5th June 2020

Walking Diary (All Walks) North Yorkshire & Co Durham Wensleydale

A slightly harder than expected day in Wensleydale visiting Great Shunner Fell. The initial climb out of Hardraw on the Pennine Way was a gradual climb (on a good path) which took longer than I thought it would. A brisk headwind with frequent squalls and the occasional hail storm meant it was quite slow going, although in between the showers it was often lovely warm sunshine - strange sort of day weather wise.

Great Shunner Fell summit holds a cross-shaped windbreak which came in handy for lunch which afforded some protection during a particularly lively snow/hail/rain storm - Fortunately I was able to discuss my love of Real Ale and Craft Beers with a fellow walker who also decided to seek refuge at the same time, other than that chap, I think I was the only person on the hills this Friday.

After lunch on Great Shunner Fell, it was over to the Buttertubs and then a climb up to 'Lovely Seat'. The descent from Lovely Seat to Sedbusk was predominantly 'off path' until a bridleway was reached and a gentle descent to the pretty village of Sedbusk before low level Dales walking back to Hardraw.

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Distance: 13.1 miles
Duration: 6:00 hours
Ascent: 2800 ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Sunny Intervals/Rain/Hail Showers/Windy

3D outline of route

Parking

Parked up just outside Hardraw near the Pennine Way path

Joining the Pennine Way path. Would have been doing the Pennine Way this summer, but all plans cancelled due to that pesky Coronavirus, at least I get a little sneak preview of a few miles today.

Looking back towards Hawes

A gradual climb on the Pennine Way

The steep limestone escarpment of High Clint can be seen in the distance

Sleddale and Widdale can be seen with Ten End (586m) in between.

This climb would have made the walk to Tan Hill interesting, I'm sure walkers won't have found this to be the easiest leg on the Pennine Way

Another blast of hail on it's way

The flagstones that make up the meandering path, which be seen on the left of this photo, all came from the floors of derelict mills in the West Pennines when the Pennine Way was given some protection from the significant wear and tear of thousands of walkers. It wasn't too bad around here on my trip, but I'm sure these will have been well appreciated over the years during much worse conditions.

Nearing the top of Great Shunner Fell.

Having spent most of lunch chatting in a hail/snow storm in the cross shelter at the top of Great Shunner Fell, I forgot to take a photo ! This was 15 minutes later as I head Eastwards in the direction of the Buttertubs pass. A feint path can be followed, but this disappears with time and the last section is generally 'off path'

Straight over there is the pass and the road which links Swaledale with Wensleydale

All quiet as I head over to the Buttertubs

The Buttertubs are named after the deep limestone potholes, which are just off the roadside. The story goes that these curious rock structures were once used by farmers, who lowered baskets of butter into them to keep it cool on their way to market in Hawes. Now to head up to Lovely Seat

After the climb and at the summit of Lovely Seat looking back over to Great Shunner Fell

After the 'Off path' trek southwards down from Lovely Seat, a bridleway is picked up which heads in the direction of Sedbusk

On the descent, the limestone escarpment of High Clint is passed.

Heading down to Sedbusk

Sedbusk - never been here before, What a beautiful little hamlet

Full sunshine as I arrive back at Hardraw

Would have been nice to have had a beer ! but at least countryside walking is okay again

Slightly harder walk today than I expected, but what a picturesque place to finish.