Wharfedale, Yorkshire
View from Mastilles Lane into Kilnsey
This particular walk is one that I devised myself and is one of my better efforts! At 16 miles/26 km in length it is also a fairly challenging walk and therefore, in view of this, I would advise that only those of you who have done similar distances recently should attempt this route.
Enjoy!
For this walk you will need the O/S Outdoor Leisure 10 - Yorkshire Dales (Southern Area) map.
Start / Finish : Kettlewell Car Park GR SD968724
As you leave the main Car Park in Kettlewell, turn right to follow the B6160 south (remembering to face on-coming traffic of course) for approx. 300metres until you see a stile/gate on your right. Go through the gate to follow a clear path on the ground, and a few marker posts, climbing steadily up the hill for approx. 1.5km until you reach the ladder stile over the wall on the summit crest (SD967704). From here you can take in the splendid views down the Wharfedale valley whilst having a breather!
On the other side of the wall take the good path as it veers right down the hillside to arrive at the tiny hamlet of Hawkswick.
| Upon emerging onto the road, turn right (again watching the traffic) and after approx. 400 metres turn left onto a narrow footbridge over the River Skirfare. Immediately after coming off the bridge turn back to the right to take a riverside/field path that goes straight to the village of Arncliffe, passing the Village Church on the way. Upon emerging at the bend of the road turn left then right at the Village Greens. |
|
| Arncliffe's Church |
Just after Arncliffe's public house, The Falcon Inn, at the far left of the greens you will find a track that leads out of the village. The track leads past some recently renovated properties and you must continue until you arrive at a stile in the wall on your right (SD929715). Over this you will be on a clear path uphill and when it levels out you will be on what is called 'The Monk's Road' with the river valley opening out to your right. As you proceed in a SW direction over a few wall stiles you will notice the valley veering off and it is not too long after this you arrive at the National Trust boundary sign for Malham Cove and Tarn (SD909689).
From here your next target is Middle House Farm (SD908676) and the path is pretty clear, although care is needed at the ruins of Middle House as the abundance of paths in the immediate area can be confusing! Upon reaching the point where you have an overview of Middle House Farm down to the left and the farm track disappearing into the distance, you should notice a rough 'triangle' shape of unfenced land in front of the farm and bordered on two sides by the farm track. Make your way downhill to go over a stile, across the track and make for a gate in the far left corner of the 'triangle'. Once through this gate you should see a ladder stile over the wall on your left (SD909673).
The path is clear as you make your way in a Southerly direction to cross Gordale Beck via a ford then turning slightly right to eventually arrive at the remains of what is believed to be a Roman Marching Camp (SD915655). If you take a moment you can clearly make out the embankments (although the site is dissected by the dry stone wall).
From here you should follow the path as it veers eastward to join up with the wall and ultimately onto an enclosed track known as Mastilles Lane.
Following Mastilles Lane gives you time to look at the countryside around you and before long you will be on the descent into Kilnsey. You will emerge next to the Tennants Arms onto the B6160 where you need to
turn right and then left after 200m to head towards Conistone.
Continue on over the bridge (SD979674) crossing the River Wharfe and up the small hill until you see the enclosed triangle at the village centre slightly right.
 |
Ignoring the road running off to each side, you should notice a track straight ahead going in front of some houses. Head up this track and through the gate to follow a path that leads up through a gorge. Continue along this well defined path and maintain you direction of travel to go over a stile. Continue on to the small scramble up Coniston Dib.
*NB Do not be tempted by any of the very clear paths off to the sides between the gorge and Coniston Dib!* |
|
| Bridge over R. Wharfe | Limestone Gorge |
At the top of Coniston Dib you need to take the stile on your right in order to come back along the path to go left which heads roughly Northwards. Continue on along a well defined green path over a number of stiles to emerge onto a track (SD982706). Turn left down the hill and follow the track to the road. Turn right along the road and after approx 600m enter a field on the right via a gate. Follow this very well way-marked footpath over a number of stone stiles to eventually emerge onto a green lane at the rear of a row of houses. Turn down the lane and, turning right at the bottom, you will have the church on your left as you proceed to the road through Kettlewell. Make your way through the village back to the Car Park.
