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Great Shunner Fell from Thwaite via Pennine Way

Start/Finish

Thwaite village which is in Swaledale, about 9 miles west of Reeth. Parking is very limited even out of season and, at busy times, one could have to use the Pay and Display car park in Muker which is about a mile to the east. There are about 2 parking spaces at the start of the track, 300 m up the hill from Thwaite.

Distance/Time

12 km.     About 3 – 4 hours.

Peaks

Great Shunner Fell, 716 m, SD 848 973.

OL30 Yorkshire Dales: Northern & Central Areas

Introduction

This route is entirely on the Pennine Way. In clear weather it is very easy to follow. There are no difficulties but the intial track has some rough and very stony sections. There are good views throughout but the finest is probably the rocky crest of Wild Boar Fell over to the west. Some of the route has been slabbed.

Route

(1) Walk NW from Thwaite up a steep road. In about 300 m, reach a track on the left which is signed as the Pennine Way. Follow this for about 1.5 km ignoring all tracks going off left and right. This track is very rough and stony in places. After passing through a metal gate, the track soon ends and a slabbed path takes over. Follow the path which is fairly obvious and slabbed much of the way to the summit. The path initially goes WNW then curves around to SW where it descends slightly before climbing to pass a tall stone beacon. Continue in the same direction and climb some awkward cobbled steps to reach a gate with the summit just beyond. The summit cairn is a four arm cross with the trig point embedded at the end of the arm pointing towards the gate. This is Great Shunner Fell, 716 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 28^th February, 2019.