Thursday, 23 May 2024

Walk C, Ilkley, 8th June 2024

Walk lead by Bill Farr, 6 Miles 500ft of ascent

After refreshments walk through town towards the hills turning right passed the hospital to Heber's Ghyll across fields towards Addingham at Gate Croft we head down to the main road were we turn right and join Dalesway by the river back to Ilkey.




Monday, 6 May 2024

Walk B, Clapham, 11th May 2024

Walk lead by Pat Guy, 8 miles, 1000ft.


We start the walk by walking through fields to the pretty village of Austwick. It is then on to Wharf, we are now in Crummack Dale, a not so famous Yorkshire Dale but a delightful one. We then walk near to Austwick Beck and join the main track to Crummack, which is really just a farm. Then it is on to Long Scar with its fantastic cairn, I am sure you will be impressed.

We now have a choice 1) a short steep descent into the Clapdale valley passing Ingleborough Caves and through Clapdale woods which are very pretty at present with Bluebells and Wild Garlic in bloom, the downside is that you have to pay £2.50 to get out. 2) Walk down a wide track all the way down to Clapham. We will decide on the day but we will all walk together. The walk is about 8 miles long and 1,000 ft of ascent.

There are a few stiles on this walk, your leader is having a little difficulty with stiles at the moment so you will have to be patient with her. Otherwise it is mainly good terrain.




 

Walk A, Clapham, 11th May 2024

Walk lead by Peter Hitchcock, 11.75 Miles, 2350ft.

From the well-sited car park (with free toilets), we leave the idyllic village of Clapham
northwards up Clapham Beck to Ingleborough cave (no time to visit) before scrambling up
the beautiful gorge of Trow Gill. Once on the moor, we stop briefly to gaze down the
massive Gaping Gill shake hole before climbing up first little Ingleborough on the way to the
big one itself. The plan is to have lunch on the top with views of Pen-y-Gent and Whernside
and, if we’re lucky, Morecombe Bay.

We complete the circle by descending east contouring Simon Fell but then cut south down to
Long Scar and on to Clapham via a lovely grassy moorland path with great views. With a
climb up to 2350ft (Clapham about 500 ft) and a distance of 11.75 miles, it is a hard, lengthy
challenge but one well within the group walker capabilities – albeit at a good pace! Better
still, a lovely pub awaits us right at the car park entrance – happy days!!


 

 


Saturday, 6 April 2024

Walk C, Castleton, 13th April 2024

Walk lead by Pat Guy, 5.5 Miles.

This is a fairly easy walk with very little uphill and only a few stiles. We walk to the other end of the town and onto a country lane for a short while. Then we join a stoney track which leads us most of the way to Hope. From Hope we pick up another stoney track alongside the river. This leads us to fields which we cross on our way back to Castleton. There are good views up to MamTor and along the valley all the way.

 


 

 

 

Friday, 5 April 2024

Walk B, Castleton, 13th April 2024

 Walk lead by Andrew Phillips, 6.6 Miles 1400ft Ascent.

The walk heads south out of Castleton and joins the path up to the caverns, passing Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern, before heading up to the base of Mam Tor. The route may follow the road for a short distance, since ground could be very boggy. The route up Mam Tor is laid out with rough slabs, but rather steep in parts, and if the weather is fine there are good views from the summit. The route then follows the ridge via Hollins Cross and Back Tor, with steep climbs to reach Lose Hill., the final summit of the walk. We then descend past Losehill Farm and Spring House Farm towards Losehill Hall Youth Hostel and back down into Castleton.

Distance is 6.6 miles, and total ascent is 1,400 feet. Some parts of the route may be muddy if there has been rain, and there are sections which are rocky. Gaiters and poles are recommended.

 





Walk A, Castleton, 13th April 2024

Walk lead by John Gobin, 8.4 Miles 2200ft Ascent. 

The first mile is a gentle climb heading north out of Castleton which leads to a steeper rather muddy ascent of 700ft up to the top of Lose hill with spectacular views over Hope Valley.

We then walk along the Great Ridge towards the top of Mam Tor with more beautiful views.

From there we will descend the south side of Mam Tor where hopefully we can have lunch.

Following refreshments we will descend a little further, cross a road and from there follow a gentle muddy ascent to the east of Slitherstone Hill and onto some farm tracks. As we start to drop back down to Castleton there is another quite muddy path down to a track/stream leading to Cave Dale and then onto the lanes of Castleton.

Good waterproof boots, gaiters and walking poles are advisable. 

 




Sunday, 3 March 2024

Walk C, Howarth, 9th March 2024

Walk lead by Gwyn Jones, 5.5 miles.

Starting from the village centre we work our way slowly up onto moorland at Penistone Hill. We then make our way via moorland and gravel road down to Bronte bridge. From here there is a short climb onto open land with good views over to Lower Laithe reservoir and beyond to Haworth.  We descend from here to the village of Stanbury and continue to our final ascent into Haworth.