Blea Moor

Downs, Moorland in Yorkshire Craven

England

Blea Moor

Little Dale and the aqueduct Viewed from Smithy Hill. Park Fell beyond.
Little Dale and the aqueduct Credit: John Lucas

Blea Moor is a vast expanse of moorland located in the county of Yorkshire, England. Situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it stretches across an area of approximately 5 square miles. The moor is characterized by its rugged and undulating terrain, covered in heather, grasses, and scattered patches of bracken.

At an elevation of around 2,000 feet, Blea Moor offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The moor is renowned for its remote and wild nature, making it a popular destination for hikers, walkers, and nature enthusiasts seeking solitude and tranquility.

One of the most notable features of Blea Moor is the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, which spans across the valley of the River Ribble. This impressive structure, built in the late 19th century, is a testament to Victorian engineering and adds to the area's charm and historic significance. The viaduct serves as a landmark and a reminder of the region's industrial past.

The moorland is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including bilberry bushes, cotton grass, curlews, lapwings, and red grouse. The area is also dotted with the remnants of ancient settlements and burial mounds, hinting at its rich history and human occupation over the centuries.

Access to Blea Moor is primarily through well-marked footpaths and bridleways, allowing visitors to explore the area's natural beauty while respecting its delicate ecosystem. The moor offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and appreciate the raw beauty of Yorkshire's countryside.

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Blea Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.236192/-2.3521608 or Grid Reference SD7782. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Little Dale and the aqueduct Viewed from Smithy Hill. Park Fell beyond.
Little Dale and the aqueduct
Viewed from Smithy Hill. Park Fell beyond.
The Settle and Carlisle Railway through Little Dale With the bulk of Ingleborough ahead.
The Settle and Carlisle Railway through Little Dale
With the bulk of Ingleborough ahead.
Entrance to Bleamoor Tunnel
Entrance to Bleamoor Tunnel
Waterfall on Force Gill
Waterfall on Force Gill
Force Gill waterfall Walking the path to Whernside.
Force Gill waterfall
Walking the path to Whernside.
Plank bridge over Little Dale Beck Not needed on this summer day, and has been subsequently replaced by a permanent footbridge a little upstream. The ex-signalman's house is visible on the right, currently (2023) on sale for a reduced £200,000, with a caveat of needing full refurbishment and, unsurprisingly, has no mains services.
Plank bridge over Little Dale Beck
Not needed on this summer day, and has been subsequently replaced by a permanent footbridge a little upstream. The ex-signalman's house is visible on the right, currently (2023) on sale for a reduced £200,000, with a caveat of needing full refurbishment and, unsurprisingly, has no mains services.
Timber Being hauled to the Kronospan board works at Chirk. Viewed from the Little Dale overbridge.
Timber
Being hauled to the Kronospan board works at Chirk. Viewed from the Little Dale overbridge.
Footpath on Smithy Hill Running down to the bridge across the railway in Little Dale.
Footpath on Smithy Hill
Running down to the bridge across the railway in Little Dale.
Aqueduct crossing the Settle & Carlisle Railway
Aqueduct crossing the Settle & Carlisle Railway
Bleamoor tunnel southern portal
Bleamoor tunnel southern portal
Waterfall on Force Gill
Waterfall on Force Gill
Stile on footpath to Whernside
Stile on footpath to Whernside
Inside Blea Moor Tunnel, heading south
Inside Blea Moor Tunnel, heading south
near Dent Head Train about to enter Bleamoor Tunnel from the north
near Dent Head
Train about to enter Bleamoor Tunnel from the north
Force Gill Waterfall Taken from the path by the rail track looking north. The slope above is the way up to Whernside.
Force Gill Waterfall
Taken from the path by the rail track looking north. The slope above is the way up to Whernside.
Aqueduct, Little Dale Looking SSW along the railway line. Crossing here are a bridleway, water from Force Gill and a farm track.
Aqueduct, Little Dale
Looking SSW along the railway line. Crossing here are a bridleway, water from Force Gill and a farm track.
Stile, Force Gill Looking NW along the path to Whernside.
Stile, Force Gill
Looking NW along the path to Whernside.
Air shaft above Blea Moor tunnel This is the southernmost of three remaining air shafts built to ventilate the Settle/Carlisle railway as it passes beneath Blea Moor.  The snow-covered mountain in the background is Whernside, the highest of Yorkshire's "Three Peaks"
Air shaft above Blea Moor tunnel
This is the southernmost of three remaining air shafts built to ventilate the Settle/Carlisle railway as it passes beneath Blea Moor. The snow-covered mountain in the background is Whernside, the highest of Yorkshire's "Three Peaks"
Show me another place!

Blea Moor is located at Grid Ref: SD7782 (Lat: 54.236192, Lng: -2.3521608)

Division: West Riding

Administrative County: North Yorkshire

District: Craven

Police Authority: North Yorkshire

What 3 Words

///horseshoe.beakers.spooked. Near Ingleton, North Yorkshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.236192,-2.3521608
Blea Moor
Ele: 534.3
Is In Historic County: Yorkshire
Man Made: survey_point
Natural: peak
Source: gps survey
Lat/Long: 54.238438/-2.3503226
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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