Bank Holiday Monday and the last chance to get some miles in before the end of May !! Once again, this is a Jack Keighley walk but it gave me the chance to travel about 35 miles from home to the area where I was brought up. Langcliffe, where I lived until I was 12 years old, is on the other side of the valley, but this walk afforded views of the area around Langcliffe which was, in my youth, my playground - almost literally, since the kids in the village would spend hours wandering around the hills.
The walk starts from the car park in Stainforth (GR 820673). A short stroll across the road takes you over the railway and drops you down to Stainforth Bridge. Here you begin the long, steady climb past the Knights Stainforth camp site and through Little Stainforth finally emerging onto a green track that take you ever upwards ! The final section sees you break clear of the path to climb to the top of Smearsett Scar - a fair scramble with no visible path but the OS column at the tope of the scar ever beckoning. Whilst it is only a short climb it is, nevertheless, a real "lung burster". However, the reward is some magnificent views and, for Gill and myself, the perfect place for a picnic in bright, sunny weather.
After attaining the OS column the next landmark is right at the other end of the scar where there are a number of cairns on top of Pot Scar. From here the walk descends into the small hamlet of Feizor.
From the hamlet the next stage of the walk follows clear green paths, climbing out of the hamlet before descending into the village of Stackhouse. As soon as you reach the village you turn away and make for the River Ribble and the third section which is to simply follow the river bank back to Stainforth Bridge. Here we had the added bonus of standing and watching a heron, oblivious to us, but intent on finding his/her lunch.
Stainforth Force is just below Stainforth Bridge and a favourite spot for folks wanting to get out to the country. Our route took is back up the road to the car park and the added bonus in this warm weather of a welcome drink at the Craven Heifer in Stainforth.
A superb walk - no doubt aided by the fine weather. The climb from Stainforth Bridge to the top of Smearsett Scar is a fair drag and quite tough but the rewards for getting so high, on such a clear day gladden the heart and lift the soul.
May has been a good month for walking, particularly since it contains two Bank Holidays and I've managed 27 miles this month. The total since the beginning of February is close on 92 miles. Roll on June and some fine weather which should see me "crack the ton" !
Usual set of photgraphs are available here
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