Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: river skirfare

Not a walk as such but just a stroll from the car to stretch my legs. I parked outside the village on the lane over to Malham and walked back via an old bridleway which I should imaging was the main route to the Church at one time. Due to the virus, the church doors were locked which turned out to be a bonus because as I came out of the grounds, I notice a signpost for Hawkswick which was just begging to be explored.

All paths in Wharfedale and its subsiduary valleys can be classed as beautiful and all have their merits but this one was particularly so. It followed the tree-lined River Skirfare as it meandered down Littondale to eventually meet up with The River Wharfe just outside of Kilnsey.

The last time I had been in these parts was spring when I walked in the opposite direction to Litton village. The River Skirfare that day had been just about dry, in fact in places it was dry. What a difference a good old British summer had made as the river today was in full flow.

I followed the path beside the river and through a few meadows until it started to veer towards the road. As I'm not a great lover of road walking (especially if they are narrow twisty country roads), I just retraced my footsteps back to the village.

I did consider having a beer in The Flacon Inn as the door was open but there was no-one about inside. It was a shame really as it would have been nice to sit on the village green in the sun for half an hour and enjoy a nice cool pint. It has always been a bit of a strange pub or should I say its always had a bit of a strange landlord. The last one was a right objectionable sod who made it obvious that he didn't like or want passing trade. Maybe it comes with the territory and the new one is the same!

Road Bridge ovet the River Skirfare

River Skirfare

Arncliffe

River Skirfare

Old Wooden Garage

River Skirfare

Ruined farm Building, Arncliffe

River Skirfare

Cowside Beck

River Skirfare

Bridleway to Arncliffe Church

Old Farm Building, Arncliffe

Cowside Beck

This was a beautiful short walk which I have known about for years but never been on. The day was absolutely gorgeous and if anything I was a bit overdressed. I hadn't walked more than a couple of hundred yards before my jacket came off and I was stuck with carrying it for the rest of the walk.

The walk basically followed an old bridleway out of Arncliffe before meeting up with the River Skirfare. Our dry spring had certainly taken it's toll resulting in very little water in the river. Infact in some places it was no more than a trickle. The stepping stones which are often under water weren't needed as that part of the river had dried up completely.

As I approached Litton I could see people sitting outside The Queens Arms which was strange as all the inns and hotels were still in lockdown. As it turned out, it was the owners and some friends who were just having a coffee in the afternoon sun. We started to have a little chat about the current situation and I asked the owner if I could sit down and have a break before heading back. He kindly went inside and brought out an ice cool pint of water which was well appreciated.

Feeling refreshed I returned back to Arncliffe by the same route. I suppose I could have walked down the road but where is the fun in that? On any normal day I would have called for a pint in Kettlewell but as this option was still not open to me I just carried on home.

I really must get my OS maps out and see if I can find an alternative route back, maybe there is one on the other side of the Dale. Inspite of the fact that I had to retrace my steps, I thoroughly enjoyed my stroll. It certainly was good to get out into the fields and connect with the wildlife again and the sunshine was a real added bonus.

I was beginning to feel a bit easier about the Covid situation as well as I was starting to despair at the thought that I might not be able to get out in to The Dales at all this year. Still loads of uncertainty of what the future holds though.