Grimwith Reservoir and Trollers Gill

Saturday, 24th July

12.5 km  (8 Miles)

I got this walk from an old Paul Hannon book, "Rambles in Wharfedale". I can vouch for it's age since, according to the record in the back of the book, I did this walk in October 1994 !! Since I can't find any mention of it on the internet I presume it is now out of print.

The walk starts from a large layby just below Stump Cross Caverns. (GR SE 084635). Walking back up the hill towards the caves a very obvious sign on the left hand side points the way towards Grimwith Reservoir and it is not long before you pass over the shoulder of Nursery Knot and see the reservoir way ahead across the fell. Surprisingly, or perhaps not considering the amount of rain we have had recently, the ground was quite wet and needed a certain amount of care when navigating the path down to the banks of the reservoir.

Grimwith Reservoir was certainly busy on this particular Saturday with both sailors and windsurfers enjoying the blustery conditions. After skirting the reservoir (apparently the largest in Yorkshire), the route takes a wonderful green path with views across Wharfedale before crossing the Grassington to Pateley Bridge Road and resuming on yet another green track.

A little further on I deviated from the route in the book to cut back on myself and then dropped down into Trollers Gill.  Described as a "sinister little ravine" there are numerous myths and legends about trolls and spectral hounds that are said to inhabit this delightful gill. Walking (or scrambling) down it on a bright summer's day it seemed very un-sinsiter

The bottom of the gill leads past Parceval Hall - the gardens are open to the public and the Hall itself is owned by a religious order and used as a place of retreat.  Eventually you drop onto Skyreholme Bank and the start of a long drag uphill back to the start of the walk.

After last week's fairly level walk this was a bit more strenuous (especially the last pull from Skyreholme). However, the weather was fair with a breeze and some glimpses of sunshine. The scenery around this part of Wharfedale is absolutely spectacular with long range views right up the valley, whilst the area around Skyreholme is dominated by the brooding presence of Simon's Seat.

Some photographs available from this link

Long Itchington & a Golden Wedding

Saturday, 17th July

13.6 km (8.7 miles)

Gill's Aunty Diana and Uncle John celebrated their Golden Wedding Annivesary this weekend and Gill, having been a bridesmaid, was (along with myself) duly invited to the celebrations held at John and Diana's farm just outside Buckingham.  This gave us the opporutnity for a walk in an area other than Yorkshire.

We had booked into a hotel in Leamington Spa for the simple reason that Charlotte, our middle daughter, was visiting her boyfriend Mike.  So we combined the chance to see Charlotte and Mike, with the Golden Wedding celebrations and the opportunity for this 8 mile walk which, in the main, was along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal.

Once again this is from the walkingworld.com website, although we found that the Memory Map Overlay (.mmo) and the walking summary varied slightly. Anyway, the map above shows the "track" rather than the "route" and, therefore, records the actual walk we took.

The walk begins in the village of Long Itchington (GR SP415652). The car park is just off a busy main road and we were met by Charlotte and Mike who joined us. The walk heads away and into the village which is a mixture of old and new.  The first part of the route then zig zags back, almost to the start in fact, before heading off down a much quieter country road and onto a bridleway before reaching the canal at Stockton Locks (GR SP429648).

Here you begin the main part of the walk which is simple enough since it follows the towpath down the Grand Union Canal, past pubs and moored narrowboats, along with those on the move until you reach Longhole Bridge (GR SP380639). Again the route here is very straigthforward following Ridgeway Lane through woods and fields until you meet Stonebridge Lane. The final stretch is straight down this lane with a final dog leg along the banks of River Itchen and back to the village.

Slightly different from some of our previous walks - the total "climb" was some 81 metres !  However, the stillness of the canal and, thankfully, lack of rain made this a pleasant stroll through the Warkwickshire countryside.

Usual bunch of photographs from this link.  Oh, and by the way, this walk marked the 150 miles so far this year!

Bolton By Bowland

Sunday, 11th July

15 Kms (9.6 miles)

Really strong winds meant that we postponed our planned high level route and instead we headed out for our longest walk of the year to date.  This route came from Country Walking Magazine that I picked up in Leeds City Station one evening on the way back from work and, as a replacement, it was absolutely fantastic.

The land around Botlon by Bowland was, for a long time, private property and access to it was forbidden. Thankfully, the area is now accessible by all and what a joy it was.  Excellent walking and excellent scenery. 

The first section of the walk takes you from Bolton by Bowland to the village of Sawley.  There was adequate parking next to the bridge in Bolton by Bowland (GR: SD 785495), and it has the added bonus (for a Yorkshireman at least) of being free.  After leaving the village the route heads out across arable land where the farmer has "cut" the path through his crops !  Very considerate but also very easy to follow.  In not time at all the first 3km are under your belt as you emerge onto the road next to Sawley Bridge.

After crossing the bridge you pick up the Ribble Way which climbs out of Sawley and affords fantastic views of Pendle Hill - a looming presence throughout this part of the walk.  The route rises to Gisburn Cotes before dropping down to the riverside and a perfect place for a picnic !

Continuing along you eventually emerge onto the road near Gisburne Park and begin a 2km stretch along the road before leaving it at Park House Farm.  Here we purchased 1/2 dozen free range eggs for the bargain price of £1.00.  Sadly, we won't be able to return the egg box as is suggested but we are looking forward to a hearty breakfast one morning this week.

This section is slightly more indistinct than the others and is not a clearly signposted but, thanks to the GPS, we eventually emerged at the head of the village and dropped down through it to the car park.

I think both of us were feeling the strain by the end.  Me with a sore ankle and Gill with an aching hip. However, recovery did not take too long and the heart feels gladdened and stronger after some exercise through lovely countryside.


Some pictures are available from this link.   The walk means that I've now completed approximately 142 miles since February.  Can I make 150 next weekend ??

Boston Spa

Sunday, 4th July
8 Miles
No Map but available as a Memory Map Overlay (hope this works - first time I've done it)





This is another Paul Hannon walk from his book "Harrogate and the Wharfe Valley". This is no longer listed on the Hillside Publications website, so I presume is out of print.

Parking is easy in Boston Spa with a well marked car park in the centre of the village (GR 430456).

From the Car Park you descend Bridge Street and head off up the banks of the Wharfe until the path turns away from the river at Deepdale (GR 422464). In early July you actuall see little of the river on this stretch as the path runs high above the banks of the river and the trees and vegetation are pretty dense.

The next section of the walk is (with due respect to the residents of Boston Spa) pretty dreary as you head through the suburbs of the village and out towards Clifford. Clifford is dominated by a tall, Catholic church and this is the landmark that you need to head for (GR 430443). When outside the church turn right and head away down a small country lane before leaving that and heading out across the fields.

Our only problem came when trying to navigate around Oglethorpe Hall Farm. Here the path runs around the outside of arable fields (planted with broad beans it appears!). This is obviously not a well trodden route and the path was fairly seriously overgrown with nettles - something which my shins attest to some four hours later, even though Gill and I did rub our legs generously with dock leaves ! Anyway, the fields eventually lead to a back road and, after crossing the very busy road that runs from Boston Spa to Tadcaster, leads you back to the banks of the Wharfe.

From here it's a leisurely stroll along the banks of the river, on what turned out to be a fairly blustery day, and back to the starting point in Boston Spa.

Whilst the route was eight miles long it is virtually flat for the whole distance, so the afternoon wasn't that taxing - apart from the nettle stings that is !

Some pictures available from the link.

Ingleton - Burton - Bentham

Wednesday, 23rd June
8.75 Miles
Map : OS OL2 : Yorkshire Dales - Southern & Western Areas



Holiday time and the chance to spend a good few hours out walking. Ingleton is a fair drive from home and this part of the world is dominated by Ingleborough which can be seen for almost all the route. This is another walk from the walkingworld.com website and, although the going is quite easy, the length of the walk makes it quite strenuous.

Parking in Ingleton you walk down to the main road and on towards the girder bridge that spans the River Greta. Just over the bridge steps lead down to the river bank which is soon left as you head across pastures towards the village of Burton in Lonsdale.

After leaving the village (and crossing the river once more), the second leg of the route takes you across Bentham Moor and drops into the village of Bentham.

The third and final stretch takes you out of Bentham and across the golf course. This section is extremely well marked and thankfully it was Wednesday so very few golfers were in evidence. After crossing the golf course it's a straight run in to Ingleton. Although I have to say I was quite foot weary by the time I got back to the car and was ready to get out of my boots.

Usual selection of photos here.

Middleham and Coverdale

Sunday, June 20th
6.75 miles
Map : Outdoor Leisure 30 - Yorkshire Dales: Northern & Central




Glorious weather + glorious countryside = glorious day !! Another Jack Keighley walk that starts in Middleham. This is quite a drive from home - approximately 40 miles, but with the weather set fair the drive up to Ripon and then onwards to Middleham was a joy. Parking is easy enough in the centre of Middleham, although the area does get pretty busy. However, at 10:30 on a Sunday morning I managed to find a spot and donned my boots to set forward.

Middleham is horse racing country and after climbing out of the village the route heads out across the gallops. I have to say that I found this section quite difficult to follow. The printed route takes in Pinker's Pond and the OS Column on Cross Bank. Sadly, I found neither but did find the path that drops down from Fern Gill (past racing stables) to Tupgill Park. This is now "marketed" as "The Forbidden Corner - the strangest place in the world". Whether the actual park lives up to its reputation I cannot say. However, I did come across the strangest sheep that I have ever seen !!


I've no idea what breed it is and, despite looking around on the internet I'm none the wiser !

Anyway the route drops down to the floor of the valley and crosses the River Cover before heading on to the tiny hamlet of Caldbergh and eventually out onto a glorious green path that maintains the contour of the valley side. In his narrative, Keighley mentions that Coverdale is "not greatly frequented by walkers" and I can concur with that remark meeting only one other couple on the six/seven miles.

Eventually you again drop down to the river before crossing it at the wonderfully named "Hullo Bridge" , from there it is only a short distance to breach the top of the hill and the sight of Middleham Castle - a Norman structure with a huge keep - beckons you back to the centre of Middleham.

As I said it was glorious weather. Not too hot but just right for walking. The views, especially the section from Caldbergh are absolutely magnificent, well worth the drive !

Some photographs from this link - by the way, please let me know if you can identify the sheep !! It's beginning to bug me !

Ripley

Sunday, 13th June
6.5 miles
Map: OS Explorer 26 - Nidderdale

A short stroll today as I was "breaking in" new boots. Nevertheless, the walk marked a milestone as I have now done 105 miles since February ! Again, I found this walk on the walkingworld.com website, although I have to say that is not the easiest of walks to follow and Gill and I went of course twice ! We also extended the route from that shown on the map above and went on to Shaw Mills, rather than cutting across the valley at Kettle Spring.


Parking in Ripley is easy with a large (free!!) Car Park as you enter the village (GR 285604). The village itself is a tourist hotspot and there were plenty of people around. However, it was not long before we escaped the crowds as we followed the Nidderdale Way out of the village, going almost due North.

The path climbs out of Ripley before dropping through woods at Cayton Gill. The peace and tranquility was only broken by birdsong and we stopped for lunch in delightful surroundings as you can see from the picture. Although the weather was dull and overcast it was warm enough to walk in shorts, although we did get one sharp shower on the route.

The Nidderdale Way eventually brings you out onto the B6165 and care needs to be taken on the 1/2 mile stretch that runs down Scarah Bank before turning on to a bridleway that heads towards Kettle Spring. Instead of taking the prescribed route which turns off just before Low Kettle Spring we continued along the Nidderdale Way until we reached the village of Shaw Mills. Here we followed Law Lane, a quiet metalled road, until we reached the collection of houses known as Bedlam.

From Bedlam the route is straightforward and soon meets the walls that surrounds Ripley Park. You simply follow the wall, not forgetting to view the deer park on the other side of the wall, until you arrive back at the front gates to Ripley Castle.

Another enjoyable Sunday afternoon. Thankfully, we managed the walk before the rain set in and the boots didn't hurt too much, although six miles was just about long enough.

A few photos available from the link