Friday 10 February 2017

A Walk from Grassington 2017

Walk Leader: Peter Hitchcock
Walk Distance: 11 miles
Total Ascent/Descent:1500ft

'A' Linear Route
Welcome to the first major walk of the new season – and what an opener there is in store for you to whet the whistle for future 2017 walks!!

PLEASE CARRY ON TO THE COACH AT FORMBY ALL YOUR KIT as we shall be alighting at Rylstone village (of alleged “Calendar Girls” fame), some 5 miles short of Grassington.
We set off from this picturesque village, with its archetypal duck pond and snowdrop covered embankments, past the Grade II listed St. Peter’s Church built in 1852/3. The walk then heads south on level ground paralleling the ridge atop which you will see our first milestone – Rylstone Cross – more of the educational bit when we’re there. After 2kms we turn east to climb the ridge but via an easy-access gully requiring only a 200m climb from road level. Virtually no more climbing after that; how lucky can you get so soon in the year!! Once at the top, a 20-min round trip will enable you to soak up the views from the Cross itself. Then, we progress anti-clockwise around the top of the grouse-filled moor to Upper Barden reservoir – for lunch. The walk continues northwards along good hard track until we reach a ‘shooting-house’ [sorry, no cucumber sandwiches or champagne today] from which we start our descent down the north-side of the moor, through Thorpe onto Linton and its very welcoming pub, where we shall stop for our refreshments instead of Grassington. A final 15 min walk to the coach then follows crossing the River Wharfe en-route.

At just over 11 miles (18 kms) it is by no means an arduous walk; quite the opposite, with fantastic views and dozens of grouse for company. But, it will be muddy rather than boggy in parts and, if there is a wind, quite open to the elements so please come prepared. 




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