Keighley Moor

Sunday, 17th October
9.64 Kms (6.2 miles) - 2hrs 37 Mins
Map : OL 21 - South Pennines.

This is a walk we have been planning for some time (probably back in June when I first discovered it).  The weather has, unforutnately, conspired against us every time.  However, this morning we woke up to clear skies and decided that we needed to finally get out there.  We were not disappointed - a fantastic walk with great long distance views.

I orignally found the walk through a Google search on the Bradford MBC website.  The blurb that went with the walk suggested that it was only suitable for "fit, regular walkers" -whether Gill and I fit into this description may be open to debate, but we managed it in 2 1/2 hours including a break for lunch at Little Wolf Stones.

The walk began at Morkin Bridge, way up above Keighley itself. The first section is on the access road to Keighley Moor Reservoir and, whilst the road is tarmacced it does climb quite steeply up to the reservoir.

After crossing the reservoir dam the route follows tracks across the moor until you leave the way and head directly towards Little Wolf Stones.

After lunch the walk does take on a "wilderness" feel as we walked "off route" following a compass bearing and some pretty rough countryside (knee deep heather) to reach first Maw Stones and the Hitching Stone. Here we returned to more "normal" walking, although still through knee high heather until we reached the track that leads off the moor to the wonderfully named Far Slippery Farm. 

A fantastic walk - although it was only six miles, the going was tough and the legs certainly felt it by the end.

No pictures at the moment - I left the cable for the camera at work !  Hopefully, I'll post some pictures in the next couple of days.

East Keswick, Harewood and the Wharfe

Saturday, 9th October

16.6 Km (10.6 Miles)

A dull and overcast day but, at 10.6 miles, our longest walk to date!  This walk came from the Walkingworld website - it's proving worth the small amount of money I paid to become a member!

The walk started from East Keswick, a quiet, residential village not far from Wetherby and off the beaten track.  The first section of the walk took us out of the village turning off onto Gaeton House Lane. A few twists and turns and we were on the Leeds Country Way, this is a long distance path (60 miles) that completely circles the city. Our section took us across Rigton Moor eventually emerging onto a country lane that led to the (extremely busy) A61 directly opposite the gates which allow entrance to Harewood Park. "Highlight" of this section was as we joined the Country Way the route took us through a field, in the middle of which was a dead cow !  We called at the next farm to report this only to be told by a slightly irate farmer's wife "It's been there since Monday and belongs to 'im next door" !!

This second section is actually a repeat of a walk we did back in February 2010.  It drops down into woods and through the Harewood Park Estate, emerging back on the A61 in Harewood itself.  Another stretch along and across the road led to Fitts Lane that drops some 70 metres downhill to the banks of the Wharfe.

The final stretch took us along the banks of the river before taking you through Carthick Wood and a fairly stiff climb back to the A659 (known locally as Harewood Drag) and back into the village.

Sadly the weather spoilt some of the long distance views and certainly didn't allow me to take any decent photographs.  However, it was exercise and proof that we can walk that distance.  Hopefully, next weekend will bring some brighter weather !