Hi everyone,

Now exiled in Leeds, my wife and I like to occasionally head out into the dales for a decent walk.

I thought I’d share what we did today, in the hope that other people who also like to venture there, might want to share some of their favourite routes.

We usually walk 6-10 miles but today, did just over 12.


START in Halton Gill towards the end of Littondale valley…

1) up to the Horse Head (605m) trig point (so an immediate climb)

2) Down into upper Wharfedale and to Yokenthwaite

3) cross the road and river and head towards Hubberholme along the river.

4) At Hubberholme, pick up Dubb’s Lane for about a mile until just before Buckden (path off to the right)

4) Back up to another trig point on Birks Fell (606m) on the opposite side of the valley to Buckden Pike…follow the path immediately over the top of the hill, heading back into Littondale

5) Cross the road once in Litton (picking up the footpath/ Bridleway at the Queen’s Arms)

6) Head back to Halton Gill from Litton.

20km (just over)


https://strava.app.link/mGavObfr9zb
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Please tell me that's not your wife in the first picture.

Nice,.
We do much the same on Dart or Exmoor. It's so good to get out and walk.

Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑

Sat May 27, 2023 9:45 pm

Please tell me that's not your wife in the first picture.

Haha!!!

Magnificent scenery

John. Where exactly is the stream that’s dried up on your last picture, just trying to work it out.

Great photos jdrobbo. Thanks for sharing.

beddie wrote: ↑

Sat May 27, 2023 9:58 pm

John. Where exactly is the stream that’s dried up on your last picture, just trying to work it out.

Yokenthwaite bridge looking back down the valley towards Buckden. These rivers (I assume due to rock porosity and water table) are common right through the valley. In places, the river is flowing normally and in others, the river bed is completely dry.

Grand.

Lovely area.

Thanks John, got it now. The second picture where it shows the bridge leading up to the farm house is where James Herriot’s Mrs - Helen lived (in the programme) he’d often be seen dropping her off at the bridge, there’s a small red post box at the entrance to the bridge but not visible in your photo. Anyway, lovely photos. I know the area well being from Malham. One of my friends lives at a lovely spot in Litton, another nice area.

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sat May 27, 2023 10:06 pm

Yokenthwaite bridge looking back down the valley towards Buckden. These rivers (I assume due to rock porosity and water table) are common right through the valley. In places, the river is flowing normally and in others, the river bed is completely dry.

IMG_6781.jpeg

It's quite near langstrothdale chase at that point I think until it meets the skirfare it's first proper tributary you see a slight change in the wharfes appearance, it doesn't take many dry days to see the river levels lower & suffer.

Great pictures, we love Malham and last year took the grandchildren up the cove and to the tarn, so vital to get younger people out into the countryside to appreciate nature.

Thanks for this, a favourite of ours as well. We often stay at Stonelands Cottages in Littondale - just a short walk to the Queens Arms. Another good Dales walk is the Malham circular via Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar - waterfall climb if not too wet, Malham Tarn and back to the Cove and village via the dry valley.

The Malham round has to be one of Britains best walks, let alone Yarkshurs.
The view from Simons Seat is hard to beat.
I could spend an afternoon strolling around Brimham Rocks.

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 5:42 am

The Malham round has to be one of Britains best walks, let alone Yarkshurs.
The view from Simons Seat is hard to beat.
I could spend an afternoon strolling around Brimham Rocks.

Back in the 70s in Malham you could park your car outside your house or on the road during summer, blimey how that’s changed, you’re lucky if you can get home or leave the village these days, probably like a number of dales villages these days. Still a beautiful part of the dales though.

Stunning Walks in every direction from the Village of Austwick nr Settle.
Can't go wrong in the Yorkshire Dale's.....Great photos JD.

Great photos jdrobbo, being an exiled Yorkshire dales man I always wished those city folk from Leeds and Bradford would stay clear of the dales, makes em too crowded, you know I’m only joking!!

durhamclaret wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 10:51 am

Great photos jdrobbo, being an exiled Yorkshire dales man I always wished those city folk from Leeds and Bradford would stay clear of the dales, makes em too crowded, you know I’m only joking!!

Haha

We’re looking at potentially doing

Starbottom-Bukden Pike-ridge walk and then down to Starbottom again, for our next jaunt. It’s about ten miles.

durhamclaret wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 10:51 am

Great photos jdrobbo, being an exiled Yorkshire dales man I always wished those city folk from Leeds and Bradford would stay clear of the dales, makes em too crowded, you know I’m only joking!!

Yes. John’s a Bradford man

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 1:41 pm

We’re looking at potentially doing

Starbotton-Buckden Pike-ridge walk and then down to Starbotton again, for our next jaunt. It’s about ten miles.

Have corrected it for you John ... Starbotton residents will not appreciate your spelling error

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 2:00 pm

Have corrected it for you John ... Starbotton residents will not appreciate your spelling error

Appreciate that, thanks 🫣

Why no Clarets t shirt and cap ? Wear them with pride

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 1:41 pm

We’re looking at potentially doing

Starbottom-Bukden Pike-ridge walk and then down to Starbottom again, for our next jaunt. It’s about ten miles.

I seriously recommend ascending Buckden Pike via Buckden Beck. Most folks don't know about this incredible route, which contains lots of superb waterfalls and a bit of very easy scrambling. https://www.mudandroutes.com/routes/wal ... kden-beck/

Unforgettable - magnificent!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 1:46 pm

Yes. John’s a Bradford man

You just can’t behave, can you?

Im_not_Robbie_Blake wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 3:47 pm

I seriously recommend ascending Buckden Pike via Buckden Beck. Most folks don't know about this incredible route, which contains lots of superb waterfalls and a bit of very easy scrambling. https://www.mudandroutes.com/routes/wal ... kden-beck/

Unforgettable - magnificent!

Noted and appreciated. Is there a marked path?

This is the route I knocked up earlier. We will go with your recommendation of climbing that way…so in effect, the reverse route. Thank you

https://www.strava.com/routes/3097664154093198106

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 3:49 pm

You just can’t behave, can you?

I beg your pardon

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 4:00 pm

I beg your pardon

Bradford, my eye!

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 3:50 pm

Noted and appreciated. Is there a marked path?

Not a mapped path, but you'll see one along most of it. Follow advice given in the link. You'll love it.

Thank you

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 3:50 pm

Noted and appreciated. Is there a marked path?

Done it with Colburn-Claret and brides, it’s a goodie.

beddie wrote: ↑

Sun May 28, 2023 8:17 am

Back in the 70s in Malham you could park your car outside your house or on the road during summer, blimey how that’s changed, you’re lucky if you can get home or leave the village these days, probably like a number of dales villages these days. Still a beautiful part of the dales though.

My wife and I are walking the Pennine Way in September and finding accommodation in Malham was very difficult. I've been to Maham before and know it is worth visiting but my wife has never been so treat for her.

Tim Burr wrote: ↑

Mon May 29, 2023 5:51 am

My wife and I are walking the Pennine Way in September and finding accommodation in Malham was very difficult. I've been to Maham before and know it is worth visiting but my wife has never been so treat for her.

Tim. I noted the word “was” in you finding accommodation, are you sorted now?

Hi baddie, thanks for asking. I believe we are sorted now.

Looks great from the pics and not a soul around as well , did smile when i saw deepdale just got me thinking .

BBC4 have a programme on currently, 4 parter, on the Pennine Way.
Episode 2 is repeated at 1.30 overnight and is on Malham.
Episode 1 will be on iplayer, I imagine.

Tribesmen wrote: ↑

Tue May 30, 2023 12:39 pm

Looks great from the pics and not a soul around as well , did smile when i saw deepdale just got me thinking .

Said the same thing to Helen…went straight over her head!

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Tue May 30, 2023 7:22 pm

BBC4 have a programme on currently, 4 parter, on the Pennine Way.
Episode 2 is repeated at 1.30 overnight and is on Malham.
Episode 1 will be on iplayer, I imagine.

Thank you

I'm doing Buckden- Cray -Hubberholme on Thursday with a mate.
Here are some pics of a recent walk around Upper Nidderdale, How Stean Gorge. A gem of a place, and a lot quieter than most of the Dales.

Cycled along the kettlewell to Buckden road many a time in my youth - Sunday run Burnley to Hawes and back via Settle. I recall you can get a really good echo if you shout out across the valley at points along that stretch.

Whereabouts are your photos taken Colburn ?

Thank you John for this great posting and the wonderful photographs. The route is a little too long for us, however, we intend to walk a shorter 5 miles Halton Gill circular route.
One of our favourite walks is a Burnsall round trip taking in Grassington and Hebden, a 7 miles circular.
Last week we had a short stay in Coniston Cold and enjoyed a scenic 6 miles walk in the Grassington area. Even old Bob Lorders can manage that !

durhamclaret wrote: ↑

Wed May 31, 2023 10:15 am

Whereabouts are your photos taken Colburn ?

Upper Nidderdale/ Gouthwaite Reservoir / How Steam Gorge..
I park in Lofthouse, there's a cracking pub (The Crown Hotel), for am end of walk pint.
It's a stunning part of the Dales, but a lot less busy than most.