Walks in the Yorkshire Dales

Littondale and Langstrothdale are two of the hidden valleys of Wharfedale. Linking them in a long walk makes for one of the best days out in the Yorkshire Dales. If you do one walk do this.

If I was ever asked to summarise the Dales landscape at its best then I would describe the walk through Austwick and Crummackdale. The view from the limestone pavement on Long Scar reveals a vast panorama starting from the summit of Ingleborough to the north west. From here turn north east through the uniform Moughton

In 2006 the Ordnance Survey succeeded in raising the profile of Birks Fell to Marilyn status. They discovering a lump of peat (with an equally unimpressive small pile of stones) that just broaches the 2,010 ft contour. As a result this cairn is the highest point of a broad, near 12 mile long, trackless ridge

The Barden Reservoirs lie in the centre of a large area of bleak moorland. You would expect the proximity to Skipton, coupled with the easy access to the area, to make the Barden Reservoirs a popular walk. It does not!

Weets Hill is surprisingly impressive. Topped by a cairn, trig point and a well positioned bench the views across Barnoldswick (‘Barlick’ to its friends) are excellent. It is more of a local’s walk however and therefore quiet and those you meet knowledgeable.

The walk starts at Thwaite, a village in Upper Swaledale. From here it climbs steeply up Kisdon Fell before dropping down to Keld. The low level return from Keld follows the embryonic River Swale.