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whaw-bridge

Arkengarthdale is a real find; a pretty valley stretching north from Reeth and hidden between the bleak moors that characterise much of Swaledale. I thought it was lovely and it is definitely better to start from Langthwaite and walk north, the land between Reeth and Langthwaite not so attractive or easy to follow. However starting from Arkegarthdale the land is an oasis of green, pretty buildings and centred with the lovely Arkle Beck. The schoolchildren were out playing rounders, the lapwings adding their chorus and the locals seemingly friendly and helpful. If there is a nicer place to live I have yet to find it! Langthwaite is famous for being used in the title shots for the iconic series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ but further up the valley is the more remote Whaw, one of a number of special little settlements that dot the landscape. Half way along the valley is Scar House, a lovely old Georgian House and now a shooting lodge for the Duke of Norfolk.

Recommend: If you are in a car drive out of the north end of Arkengarthdale towards the Tan Inn (the highest pub in England) and enjoy one of the great Dales roads, bleak, remote but quite magnificent.

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pen-y-ghent-from-church-at-horton

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks is an extremely popular walk, deservedly becoming iconic for the ever increasing number of walkers who want to achieve something special. It is not necessarily the best way to appreciate the individual peaks but that is not why people choose to complete it. I have done it once, a couple of years back with Bracken (who was 11 at the time and just starting to slow down) and enjoyed the satisfaction of completion probably more than the 9 hours it took to get round. The exception is the last 1 and a half hours off Ingleborough to Horton which is an absolute pleasure regardless of the fact that it is the end of the walk. The climbs of Pen y Ghent and Whernside are the traditional routes and are probably the best where as the climb up Ingleborough is a bit of a haul and many suffer badly at this point. The long crossing from Pen y Ghent to Ribblehead can be gruelling, particularly in the wet but aside from this 5 mile section the walk is straightforward on good paths which are easy to follow

Recommend: There are much more details on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks by clicking here

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slopes-of-sallows

I was struggling to come up with a walk in the valley of Troutbeck – the road is very busy and there are no obvious ways to escape it (aside from a possible circuit of the Tongue)…however it is still a lovely valley to look at. Dubbs Road does the trick; high on the quiet eastern flank of the valley this old drovers road offers excellent views of the valley without the traffic noise whilst offering a perspective of the upper Troutbeck valley and which is rarely if ever seen. To obtain the road involves a circuit of Sallows and Sour Howes, two rarely visited hills south of the western arm of Kentmere. The bridleway from Kentmere towards the hamlet of High Borrans is through a quiet and peaceful landscape rarely found in the National Park, a place of bubbling streams and bird song. Dubbs Road finally climbs to 1,500 foot at Garburn Pass before dropping sharply to Kentmere, offering some lovely views of this unspoilt valley. All in all for those who want a day away from the high fells and the crowds this is a perfect solution, long enough though to gain a good thirst.

Recommend: There is an excellent Outdoor Centre at High Borrans but walking through the hamlet I never noticed it at all. Run by the North Tyneside Council if group activiies interest you this is a good one!

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perfection-at-blind-tarn

This is one of my favourite walks. Dow Crag is a great hill with a long and interesting ridge, perched initially over the little gem that is Blind Tarn and later over its cliffs to and offering great views across to the main Coniston ridge and the high mountains of the Scafell range. Further on when the path drops down to Seathwaite Tarn the views to the Duddon Valley open up and epitomise what a Lakeland valley should be. The Duddon Valley is rarely visited and I would urge all to go; maybe there is a lack of accommodation but this is a walkers valley with a large campsite near Seathwaite village. A few years back I tramped the Coniston Hills in a 3 day expedition as I desperately tried to convince the Mountain Leader assessment team I knew what I was doing, we camped at the outlet of Seathwaite Tarn and I spent a great day recently messing around trying to locate my legs and the rock face where we secure roped our way down (it is at the top end of the tarn). It is not as far to the Duddon Valley as it looks, a trip over Rhinos pass will ensure a wonderful few days.

Recommend: Keep as near the edge of Dow Crag as possible, the twin tarns of Blind and Goats offer spectacular viewing.

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in-sight-of-simons-seat

Surrounded by the hot spots of Burnsall, Grassington and Bolton Abbey the pretty little village of Appletreewick is not quite an oasis of tranquility but the countryside that surrounds it offers an excellent walk without lots of unwelcome company. The river banks of the Wharfe below the village are also better than those near Grassington or Burnsall, the moors above Appletreewick offer extensive views from a good bridleway whilst the valley of Trollers Gill is full of interest and intrigue (try and get a view of Parcevall Hall from the path, what are the mysterious mine workings?). The route passes 3 camp sites which I always feel has a positive effect on an area; it encourages outdoor living and outdoor attitudes and this has a positive effect on the area. The walkers I met were relaxed and happy, the locals friendly and this is certainly one of my favourite walks.

Recommend: Ignore the no public access notice on the track to the river – it is very old and there are no complaints from the locals.

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slight-side-scafell

I was surprised to find that for every person on the top of Scafell 15 people climbed the nearby Scafell Pike. Clearly Scafell Pike is higher but the main reason is surely down to the inaccessibility of  Scafell. The most popular way of climbing Scafell is via Scafell Pike from Borrowdale, a long drag with Scafell merely an inconvenience, alternatively there is an unremitting slog from Wasdale Head but by far the best is the long ridge over Slight Side from Eskdale. Eskdale is a lovely valley, almost unspoilt and including some of the most classical Lakeland scenery, the route up Scafell gradual with ever changing views. Scafell is gradually exposed with the final 1/2 mile above Foxes Tarn laying bare a grand panorama of high mountains in the Central core rarely seen from this angle. Rather than returning via the same route I visited Burnmoor Tarn for the first time and ended by passing the beautifully situated Eel Tarn. I passed nobody once I left the summit.

Recommend: This is a walk for sturdy walking boots, I ended up with wet and sore feet from my lighter weight option!

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cow-bridge-lovely-light

No doubt there is a certain self indulgence on this walk near my home in Long Preston. The deep Ribble valley that lies between Long Preston and Wigglesworth/Rathmell has long been the subject of some controversy. The floodplain hasbeen an excellent area for farming and birdlife for centuries but it was in 2004 with the formation of the Long Preston Wet Grassland Project that it became protected (surely finishing off any plans for a bypass) and became one of the best wildlife preserves in the Dales. Working with the local farmers and part subsidised through the Rural Development Programme and the EEC various local agencies manage the project, striking a balance between the farmers, conservation and as important, controlled access to those who wish the enjoy this Area of Special Scientific Interest. It is the birdlife which has been the biggest beneficiary with mating pairs of Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank and Snipe increasing as do the numbers of wintering birds. I am no expert on birds but it is a great area to walk through and look for yourself, apparently roe deer also roam the area but I have not seen them. The walk cuts through the wetlands on the Ribble Way, passing through the grounds of Wigglesworth Hall before returning through the fields at the back of the pretty village of Wigglesworth.

Recommend: Find out more by contacting Tim Youngs or Adrian Shepherd, through the RSPB website or via the National Park.

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parlick

The mile between the western summit of Fair Snape Fell and Parlick is the best mile of walking in the Forest of Bowland. The track is excellent, the views south and west far reaching and when I was up there last week the hang gliders and traditional gliders were decorating the skies with their bright colours. Sadly I saw little wildlife, which is unusual as this is a relatively new and large area of Open Access land which should be encouraging more native species of bird and beast. The challenge on this walk though is how to showcase this special mile but enjoy the remainder without it seeming too much like a secondary act. The first time I visited Fair Snape Fell I simply climbed Parlick, walked up and back but I felt I wasmissing something. This time I included the round of Saddle Fell, the well named Wolf Fell before reaching the ‘real’ summit of Fair Snape Fell. The climb up Saddle Fell is on an excellent bridleway whilst the crossing to Fair Snape is rather a peat hopping challenge which adds sufficient interest to the walk; however it is still an aperitif to the main course which is truly something to savour,

Recommend: Visit the large cairn and O/S pillar which is marked Fair Snape Fell to the west of the plateau but it is not the highest point. This lies 1/2 a mile to the north east.

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lonely-romantic

Chris Bonnington may have climbed Everest and taken on many of the great peaks in the world but he made his home in Caldbeck under the fells of the far northern Lakes. He loves walking on to High Pike and beyond and takes as much satisfaction and pleasure out  of a 4 hour tramp in this remote (relatively in his case!) but enchanting landscape. I enjoy these fells as well, the rolling landscape offers a feel of space and emptiness that differs to the rest of the Lakes. I have always found the walking easy (as long as the main ridges are broadly kept to, otherwise it can be very wet), enjoyed the logistical challenge of stringing the fells together and on my last visit discovered how good the views actually are to the north and west over the Solway Furth and the Scottish hills of Galloway. My favourite walk here is a circular over High Pike and the Knott before it makes a leisurely and thoroughly enjoyable descent over Brae Fell to Fellside; well worth the trek round to Caldbeck.

Recommend: Read the inscription on the bench on the summit of High Pike. The love of a 16 year old for the Lakeland fells is movingly written and induces an almost melancholy mood which epitomises the pleasures of this area. No wonder it was the first place Bonnington visits after his epic expeditions.

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august-berries

Wainwright neglected to include Gummer’s How in his 7 main guides, probably due to its insignificant height (less than 400 foot of climbing), but added it to his Outlying Fells collection. His amusing description here challenges any walker to reach the summit but if they are unable to he suggests pipe and slippers rather than walking boots! It is simple, can take no more than 1/2 and hour up and down but is worthy of greater exploration. Little rocky outcrops and heather clad slopes are the order of the day on Gummer’s How offering great views both up Windermere and also down beyond Newby Bridge to the sea. With nothing else of any interest on the east shoreline of Windermere Gummer’s How is a real find and should be included for all who stay in the area.

Recommend: Although Wainwright talks of the elderly I would add that it is a great first family walk, a worthy summit and little scrambles ideal for younger children.

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