Barden Moor

3rd May - 5.5 Miles

Map : OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western Areas

After a couple of weeks when we haven't been able to go walking (Gill has a better excuse than me given that she's been stranded in Florida visiting our daugther) we got back to it with a 5 1/2 mile stroll around Barden Moor.
It's fantastic to think that this scenery and the view above are available only 20 miles from our front door. Anyway the walk comes from another Cicerone Press publication "The Yorkshire Dales : South and West" by Dennis and Jan Kelsall.

The walk starts from parking space next to a cattle grid on the Barden Bridge to Embsay Road (GR 555038). The route is straightforward following well marked tracks as this is part of the Duke of Devonshire's Estate. Access is granted to these moors and the surrounding area by the Duke, although there are certain times of the year when the moors are closed. This is self evident when you see the number of Grouse butts that adorn sections of the route. It should also be noted that dogs are not allowed on these moors, especially those that have been brought up on game pie !

As I said the route is straightforward and follows the path as it winds and climbs its wayupwards heading directly (or so it seems) for the cross above Cracoe. The views are dominated by the two reservoirs and when one is level with the higher of these two you take the junction that descends down to it and over the dam that encloses the upper reservoir.

At the end of the dam turn right and keep right (the pathway forks here). The route now is donwhill towards the lower reservoir crossing Barden Beck just below two shooting shelters.

The final section of the walk is a pretty steep climb back to the starting point.

A reasonable ramble to get us back into the swing of things. The weather was extremely variable with a strong wind and squally rain. If I have a criticism of the walk it is that the tracks are pretty hard underfoot and not that pleasant to walk on.

April saw us fall short of our target of doing at least 25 miles per. month and I only managed 20 miles. However, with this walk under my belt I'm now just short of 70 miles since the beginning of February.


Usual pictures are available here