Hardraw, Pennine Way to Great Shunner Fell (716m 2349ft) elevation 1600ft. Led by Dawn and Jess.
Ascent from Hardraw. Approx. 10.9 miles
Great Shunner is the 3rd highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales. It doesn’t have a distinct shape like Ingleborough, but can offer great views on a clear day towards the North Pennines, the Lake District and the other Yorkshire Dales fells including the Three Peaks.
The route up is from Hardraw, with its famous waterfall, via the Pennine Way Trail. The paths are good on a steady incline of no more than 6% of 4.5 miles (7 km) to the summit.
We reach bluebell hill first along a track, which is good under foot and there are lots of wild flowers to be seen.
We then reach Hearne Top with great views of the Wensleydale valley.
It’s onto Open access land from Hearne Top, onto the moors along partly flagged paths to the summit.
Grouse and other bird wildlife can be spotted during the walk on the moors. It’s possible on a clear day to see Ingleborough to the south via Widdale gap.
There are many cairns along the path to help us on our way and we walk across a few streams (few stepping stones)
We didn’t make it to the summit on the recce due to heavy rain and wind…so hoping for a clear day on Sunday 20th September!
There is a trig point and an X-shaped shelter on the summit. Top tip : Look out for small pieces of coal around the summit as coal was mined in several places here until the 1880s.
We then retrace our steps back to Hardraw and then make our way to Hawes via fields and roads. We did manage a visit to the Wensleydale creamery in Hawes. I enjoyed and cheesy scone and bought a few items from the Creamery shop.
Led by Dawn and Jess
