Great Shunner Fell
Distance: 14km
Ascent: 480m
The headline figures for these walks are a little scary. However, Great Shunner Fell is a really straightforward walk, up and down the Pennine Way. The addition on to Lovely Seat was a big day out for the Little Chaps and made a really satisfying loop.
Great views from the top of the third highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales!
Consider the there-and-back option for Great Shunner Fell for smaller legs...
(plus Lovely Seat)
Distance: 17.35km
Ascent: 646m
Map: OL30
OS Explorer Yorkshire Dales Northern
and Central areas
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Parking: Hardraw
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Grid reference: SD 866 913
We stayed at the campsite in Hardraw the night before walking this route. The campsite has decent facilities and is often used by people doing the Pennine Way. The big advantage was being able to make an early and stress-free start, as well as having a tea shop right at the end of the walk.
Great Shunner Fell route:
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From Hardraw campsite, head out the back gate of the campsite onto the lane. If you didn't stay at the site and parked in the village, walk to the old school building and turn right, marked Pennine Way.
Now, simply follow this to the top! The track is good, the climbing is steady but never steep and the two junctions are clearly marked with Pennine Way markers. On a good day, you can pretty much see your summit objective all the way up and it gradually comes into view. It's a great little shelter to protect you from any wind and an enjoyable lunch spot. The third highest summit in the Yorkshire Dales!
Return the way you came up and enjoy a wonderful view over Wensleydale all the way down.
Lovely Seat extension:
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This is quite a long extension and involves leaving the main paths behind but the full circuit is very satisfying. The Little Chaps were on great form this day and we were still down in good time.
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From the summit of Great Shunner Fell, go on to the gate but don;t go through it. Turn right and follow the fence line all the way down towards Buttertubs Pass. This can be boggy and wet so try to go after a dry period. The bog can push you away from the fence line so try and return to it whenever possible. Towards the bottom, a gully separates you from the pass so choose a good crossing place before you lose too much height. Aim for a gate in the fence near to the road and head for the cattle grid at the top of the pass.
Cross to the south side of the cattle grid. Leave the road here and follow the fence up the other side of the pass to climb towards Lovely Seat. Again, this can be boggy so pick your weather window. At the top, a small stile helps you cross to continue to the "lovely seat" on the top of Lovely Seat!
Return to the stile and head to the corner of the fence. From here we picked a point in the valley (pretty much in line with Pen-y-ghent which, on a good day(!), is visible in the far distance. A line of shooting butts has a worn track and makes the going much easier.
This direction intersects with a stone track (not the bridleway marked on the map!) that leads to the Paragliding club. Follow this track to the right (West) to the Buttertubs road.
Head downhill on the road. You can continue on the road to Simonstone Hall Hotel where the path leads back down to Hardraw. However, it is more pleasing, and off road, to take the footpath to the right (West) of the road before the trees near the underground reservoir. This footpath initially leads off in the wrong direction but comes around and passes the campsite before dropping into the woods above Hardraw Force. These woods are lovely. Follow the path out to the road and go down to the hotel.
Just before the hotel, turn right and go through a farm gate. This path leads down to Hardraw and well-deserved cake at the tea shop.
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