Batty Moss Viaduct - A brief
History
Batty Moss Viaduct - better
known as the 'Ribblehead Viaduct' forms part of the Settle to
Carlisle Railway. This must be one of the best known sites in the
Yorkshire Dales.
The viaduct has 24 massive
stone arches, some 104 feet above the moor on a slight curve that
is dominated by Whernside Fell that sits to its rear.
The railway and viaduct was build by the Midland
Railway Company between 1870 to 1876. It has a sad history with
many railway navvies losing their lives during the construction.
This was from a combination of accidents, fights, and smallpox
outbreaks. In particular, the building of the Batty Moss Viaduct
caused such loss of life that the railway paid for an expansion of
the local graveyard.
The line was in threat of closure in the 1980's
due to the high repair costs, in particular the restoration of this
viaduct. However, many groups had the foresight to realise that the
line had massive potential and fought hard to keep it
open.
The foresight paid off and today the Settle and
Carlisle Railway provides a vital supplementary railway link
between England and Scotland acting as a diversionary route for
rail traffic using the East and West coast main lines.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks
The structure sits in the
middle of the well known Yorkshire Three Peaks, a 24 mile
trail linking the summits of Whernside, Ingleborough and
Pen-y-Gent. The route must be one of my favourite fell runs
having first completed it as a Cadet in 1977 in 8 hours 30
minutes.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks -
Whernside (736m) - Ingleborough (723m)- Pen-Y-Gent (694m) &
Border Collie Cass (50cm)
I normally park by the viaduct
and run the 24 mile course anti-clockwise. My record now is 4 hours
11 minutes - however, the seasoned, hardy fellrunners complete it
in around 3 hours!
Batty Moss Viaduct Cache
There is plenty of parking on the Ingleton to
Hawes and Horton roads that converge at Ribblehead. You can also
travel here by rail from the directions of either Settle or
Carlisle. The railway station is just beyond the viaduct and is a
much better way to explore this lovely area.
From the main road at Ribblehead you can see the
viaduct and its magnificent 24 arches. Walk along the farm track
and feel free to stroll across the surrounding moorland and enjoy
the tremendous limestone scenery. On a clear day you should be able
to see all three peaks from this location. Perhaps consider being
even more adventurous and take a day to run or walk the course.
There are Geocaches on each summit.
Enjoy Batty Moss and the Yorkshire
Dales!