Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: grassington

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Threshfield and Skirethorns

A new area for me, and I thought I had explored all of Wharfedale!

The area is a few miles from Grassington but on the opposite side of the main road through the Dale. Just after The Spar garage a signpost for Threshfield and Skirethorns is followed until you come to the last of the houses of Threshfield and that is where you park up.

As I was new to the area I just followed the country lane through the delightful village of Skirethorns and headed off on the road leading up on to Malham Moor which eventually turns into a bridleway. That then joins the ancient Mastiles Lane which connects Kilnsey in Wharfedale with Malham. It is called a lane but is in fact and old bridleway.

The views back down and across the Dale are delightful and there are many footpaths to explore so this was a real walkers paradise. I didn't get as far as the moorland parts of the road but I hope to return in the not too distant future.

Afterwards I drove a few miles up the Dale and called in the cafe at Kilnsey Trout Farm. Excellent coffee as per usual.

Lower Wharfedale

Moss On wall

Lower Wharfedale

Ferns

Lower Wharfedale

Malham Moor

Malham Moor Lane

Frosted Woodland

Malham Moor Lane

Lower Wharfedale

Skirethorns

Lower Wharfedale

Grimwith Reservoir

A great stroll for blowing the cobwebs off as this walk is certainly open to the elements. Once you have left the comfort of your car, there is very little shelter from the winds and rain driving across the moors. I was lucky on the day I went as it just about stayed dry and bright the whole time I was walking but the wind was bitterly cold. Also, once you get past the first mile, you are more or less committed to doing the whole walk.

In bad conditions it's a case of just pulling your hood up, sticking your head down and just soldiering on. After all, its only a bit of wind and rain so won't harm you. Some of the most entertaining walks that I've done over the years have been done in such conditions.

There are a couple of inlets and bays which make the walk longer than it actually looks but it is basically on flat ground and is only four and a half miles in total. Often there are windsurfers on the reservoir and in windy conditions, this can be quite entertaining to watch but I didn't see any signs of life when I was there. I can't say as I blame them though.

If ever you need a place to come and clear your head, this is it!

Grimwith Reservoir

High Shores Laithe

Grimwith Reservoir

Path around Grimwith

Gate Up Gill

Gate Up Bottom

Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Moor

Grimwith Reservoir

River Wharfe at Threshfield

This spring has been very dry and the water level in the River Wharfe has suffered because of this. True to form though, on the day I chose to visit, I got drenched twice and finished off the walk in a hail storm! One good thing about the low water level was that it had revealed the eroded limestone bed of the river which made for a very interesting series of photos.

The stretch I visited was from Linton Falls up to Grass Wood and then back which is only a couple of miles each way and not too far at all but it does feel far enough when the rain is pelting down and you are only wearing an everyday type of jacket with a hood which is about as effective as a chocolate fireguard!

If I'm being honest, I do quite enjoy walking in the rain. I like the sound the raindrops make as they hit the leaves on the trees or as they drop in to the river and then afterwards everything smells so clean and fresh. Plus it tends to keep the crowds away.

I did get about ten minutes of brightness when the sun made an attempt to break through and I was fortunate enough to be in the Ghaistrill's Strid area where the limestone bed is at its most eroded. As the final ten photos show, the place looks more like an alien landscape than a river bed and I should imagine it is a dangerous place to be when the water is high and flowing fast.

Another visit is definitely planned for when there is a bit more water about, maybe autumn when the leaves are turnng.

The River Wharfe at Grassington

The Wharfe below Ghaistrill’s Strid

River Wharfe at Threshfield

Surviving tree overlooking the Wharfe

Looking towards Grass Wood

The Wharfe below Ghaistrill’s Strid

An unsociable and miserable git above Wharfedale!

I don't think I can ever remember The Yorkshire Dales being as dry and as parched as they are at the moment. I bet you can count on one hand the number of times it has rained over these last couple of months and there isn't much forecast either. We dont just need the odd shower or the odd day to fill up the reservoirs and put a bit of green back in to the landscape, we need a prolonged spell.

This little stroll was above Appletreewick and can be made in to a nice round which conveniently allows you to stop off at The Craven Arms for refreshments if required. It was the opposite way round to most walks because I started on the moors and then drop down to the valley and then back up again.

It is an area where many old bridleways cross so, if you have a map, you can basically walk as far as you want for as long as you feel fit. One of the tracks takes you down to Hartlington Bridge and from there its only a mile or so riverside walk in to Burnsall and The Red Lion. Another takes to Dibble Bridge and Grimwith Reservoir which would be a much longer walk.

Despite all the tracks, the area is very quiet because everyone heads down the main Wharfe valley and its honeypots. In fact I only met a few people the whole of the time I was out walking but I could hear and occasionally see the masses below. Burnsall looked particularly busy.

Being an unsociable and miserable git, I did turn around shortly before I reached valley level but on a midweek day I would have gone into Appletreewick and popped in The Craven Arms for a pint. I'm not one of those people who moans about how busy a place is but I do tent to steer clear of those places or go on quieter days.

I am a great believer that everyone is entitled to enjoy the outdoors as long as they leave the place as they found it and take their litter home which, sadly, is not always the case.