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shooting-lodge-in-the-upper-nidd

I set off with Mist on this truly excellent walk near Masham which starts via the twin reservoirs of Leighton and Roundhill before taking to the higher moors. The walking on the high plateau is superb with wide ranging views over the Vale of York but more particularly Upper Nidderdale. The dull weather soon gave way to early spring sunshine and with the grouse in full voice the miles just drifted past with the only distractions being a series of shooting lodges and old barns. The classical U shaped valley of Upper Nidderdale gradually revealed itself in the brightening conditions with Scar House Reservoir and Great Whernside particularly prominent whilst the final views over Leighton towards Masham were an absolute delight…as was this walk as a whole.

Recommend: Despite this being Access Land I could see no point whatsoever in leaving the main landrover tracks and take on the ferocious looking heather.

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braithwaite-hall

There are many interesting places to explore around Kirkby Malzeard, a pretty Yorkshire village near Maham. No main traffic routes are nearby and this adds to it charm. The main walk I have outlined passes through the lovely grounds of Braithwaite Hall (a strange looking building but definitely worth seeing) and visiting the even more unspoilt village of Galphay (good pub though), the return being through farmers fields but I would not leave that that. Wensleydale have a new creamery factory on the outskirts, a grand old church, some ancient remains of Mowbray Castle and if by any chance you went down to the woods at night……

Recommend: If you want to stop of for a swift half at the Galpay Inn avoid Mondays – it is closed.

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upper-wharfedale

The best part of the Dales Way is when it reaches Upper Wharfedale and the hills on either side start to close in adding an element of remoteness that a long distance walk should bring. This shorter walk visits some of the lesser settlements from Kettlewell such as Cray, Hubberholme and Buckden and is much the better for it, certainly Hubberholme lost in time but with an attractive riverside pub to enjoy. The walking is always easy and in the main on good paths (the quieter lanes are sometimes visited) with the River Wharfe an almost constant companion, a proper mountain river at this point, fast flowing at times but forming eddies and deep pools at others. As the Wharfe forks towards Cray the river (not the Wharfe at this stage, the Cray Beck) forms some wonderful little waterfalls and pools and is well worth exploring.

Recommend: Keep eyes peeled for the ever increasing otter population whilst the dippers will be more obvious.

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the-lune-near-sedbergh

I have not always been a big fan of Sedbergh but I am now. I think it is an interesting town full of fascinating shops, not surprisingly many of them being book shops whilst the area around the town has some excellent walking. Whether taking the higher road under Winder mountain or the riverside walk along the River Rawthey (and this walk includes them both) there is never a dull moment and I certainly find that the extensive school playing fields add to the experience. This walk forms a semi circle to the west of Sedbergh, starting off with the high land under the Howgills and finishing with the riverside section to the south but never straying that far from the town.

Recommend: There are a number of special events throughout the year in Sedbergh when the town comes alive. Find them by clicking here

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caldbergh-moor

One of the great pleasures in walking the Yorkshire Dales is crossing the vast moors between the dales, rarely trodden and often remote, but then dropping down in to a valley almost untouched by the modern world. This walk from the lower reaches of Coverdale and visiting Colsterdale is one such walk. I headed off with Mist and never saw a soul for 12 miles, although to be fair an error in navigation did put me on a moor that no self respecting person (or dog) should be on. Certainly the return trip over Masham Moor and the ‘Haws’ is not to be undertaken lightly with some of the paths marked intermittent at best. West Scrafton and Caldbergh are idyllic dales villages and a joy to walk through as is the quiet valley of Colsterdale, isolated farms and shooting huts the only buildings that are passed.

Recommend: The route offers two options at the top of Colsterdale, I took the longer detour towards South Haw for the views of Nidderdale (although the reservoirs are agonisingly out of sight) – the path that cuts south after Dawson House I cannot vouch for but it starts well enough.

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ingleborough-from-the-lower-track

In my eyes Ingleborough is the best and most interesting of the 3 Peaks with a good variety of ways to the top, fabulous limestone scenery and views across into the Lake District as well as the Dales themselves. Climbing Ingleborough from Ingleton is also a very straightforward and safe way to the summit, it is almost impossible to get lost and only in the final 100 foot steep enough to cause any concern – of course the summit area is vast and a bit of accurate compass work may be needed to find a descent in the mist. However those who go up and then retrace their steps back to Ingleton miss the great appeal of this mountain and therefore I would suggest carrying on North West over the summit area and dropping North East in to the wonderful limestone pavements of Raven Scar. Here I stick to the pavements and take a return route a few hundred feet above the road and between the two main scars, the only disadvantage being that it soon becomes a very gradual ascent!

Recommend: It is perfectly possible to start the walk in the centre of Ingleton but if you have transport save yourself a mile each way.

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winder-from-dales-way

One of the best sections of the Dales Way passes between Sedbergh and Dent and this drove me to look at a walk combining both places. Clearly the Dales Way marks one direction and is an excellent lowland track through the attractive setting of lower Dentdale but picking an alternative route for the other way is more interesting. My favourite alternative to the Dales Way is in fact the bridleway (little more than a path) leading over the moors of Frostrow and Long Moor before dropping down to the river Dee 1/2 a mile from Dent itself. Whilst the Dales Way and riverside section of the walk can be busy it is rare to see anyone on the higher moors so the views can be fully enjoyed in peace and at your leisure. They are good as well!

Recommend: When you have 5 or 6 days spare the Dales Way which runs from Ilkley to Kendal and runs through the heart of the Dales is an excellent long distance walk

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whelprigg-country-house

The Bronte sisters attended the old girl’s school at Casterton and much of their childhood memories must come from this splendid old school and its surrounding countryside. The hills over Barbon certainly look wild enough to satisfy them but in reality the River Lune meanders gently through this pleasant low level valley creating some lovely walking along lanes and over fields. Both Barbon and Casterton are attractive villages (with good pubs) and like Kirkby Lonsdale worth taking a little bit of extra time to fully explore; some of the country houses worth seeking out (if only from a distance) are Barbon Manor, Whelprigg and Casterton Hall to name but three all major land marks on the old railway which passed through this valley.

Recommend: Only attempt this route when river levels are low as the ford at 610813 is impassable and potentially dangerous after rains or in much of winter months, the nearby bridge leads to private land. Return via Barbon on the footpath which heads south from Underley Grange.

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twisleton-scar

Easy walking, fantastic limestone pavements and far reaching views over two of the Yorkshire Dales big 3 characterise this walk above Twisleton Scars. Whernside and Ingleborough were ever present as myself and Mist stretched our legs on the large flat plateau that separates the two peaks, a plateau offering some of the most impressive examples of limestone scenery in the country. At Ewes Top an array of cairns marked a change of direction from me – I always prefer keeping to the high ground so I decided to follow the sheep tracks that pass along the top of Twisleton Scars rather than the joining the Ingleton Falls walk and following it back to Chapel le Dale at the foot of the scars. The walking and views of the scars is superb from above and depending how brave you are closer investigation can be made using some of more adventurous sheep tracks

Recommend: This is a much better walk from Chapel-le -Dale than Ingleton if only because it involves a closer inspection of this attractive hamlet

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reinsber-scar

There is something immensely satisfying about walking on the limestone of the southern Dales. I have probably included a disproportionate number of walks in the Settle region just for this reason. The limestone scars and pavements in the tract of land between Austwick and Stainforth harbours some of its best examples; the light grey rock catching the sunlight wonderfully well on a good day creating a brilliant white appearance. Furthermore the physical walking on limestone is also a pleasure, broad short grass paths pepper the area making the miles simply disappear – I remarked to Helen that it was a walk that could almost be done with bare feet (sheep poo excepted). Helen really chose this walk as she was keen to sample the pleasures of the tea room at Feizor so I looked to construct a walk with Feizor as the base. The views over to Stainforth and Pen y Ghent are excellent completing a very fitting finale to the 100th walk that I have described in the Yorkshire Dales.

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