Monday 13 October 2014

dales walk

I ate too much cake at the weekend, more on that another day, but for now perhaps I should get some exercise. Before I do come perhaps you'd like to come with me on a walk I went on before my weekend retreating.

Driving through the dales I follow the route of the tour de Yorkshire. I remember cycling this road many years ago, in that wonderful long summer time between O'levels (yes Miss K I can call them O'levels not GCSE's because that's what they were!) and A'levels.

Oh how it winds up hill and down dale, with twisty corners and sudden narrowing, and views to make you stop and catch your breath (as if the hills weren't enough....)


From Kettlewell I chose a 5 mile circular walk of two halves, a bridleway high on the valley sides, and then returning via the Dales way following the meandering of the river Wharfe.


The walk is described as challenging, beginning with a steep incline. It doesn't lie.  Leaving the village of Kettlewell (looking backwards you see where we started) I walk up the steep and rocky limestone studded path, and it leaves me breathless.


Looking onwards towards Starbotton, the spectacular glacial u-shaped valley lies below.


After a couple of miles it is time to come down the valleys sides, steeply, steeply, careful of your steps, finally the safety of the river bed is reached. Now we can return, following the flat route of the meandering river Wharfe. The name Wharfe, derives from the Old English "weorf" or the Old Norse "hverf" and means winding river. It is very apt.


Walking back to Kettlewell this easy path is busy, filled with walkers on the Dales way. It's nice to be by the river, and it's certainly less strenous, but I feel like all these walkers are missing out.
 Even though it's hard work to get up there, the views from above are spectacular.

13 comments:

  1. WOW, what a beautiful place to go walking. The scenery is spectacular.
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Taking the hard path is almost always worth it -- probably just like it is in life. I feel that way in quilting too -- the long, slow, hard quilts are worth it in the end. Your photos are beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautiful place. I love the view of the river, they never look that twisty at ground level.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks as though you'll be ready for the coast-to-coast in NO time. xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. After all that exercise you need... cake Ax

    ReplyDelete
  6. Absolutely stunning.
    Leanne xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. The beauty of your surroundings is breathtaking in more than one sense. What a lovely place for you to call home.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Utterly spectacular scenery, and you have captured it beautifully. Too much cake here too. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. You've really captured the beauty and wildness of the Dales there. It looks and sounds glorious. x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the Dales SO much, makes me want to visit right now! X

    ReplyDelete
  11. Walking up the steep bits usually does reap rewards especially if the weather is as good as you had. Beautiful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  12. So beautiful and much less tiring going with you!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful pictures of the landscape, I'd love to explore the Dales.

    ReplyDelete

thanks for visiting, I love to read your comments, and I'll reply if I can see your email, or here in the comment box.