Things to do :

Start/Finish: Buckden    Distance: 8 miles    Time: 4 Hours Buckden Pike is one of the better-known fells in the Yorkshire Dales, it is also one of ‘The Dales 30’ - a set of 30 mountains within the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Dales which are over 2,000 feet. Buckden Pike sits at the head of the Wharfedale Valley above the small village of Buckden. It is the second highest peak in the area, standing at 702 metres / 2,303ft high. Only 2 metres shorter than the highest peak Great Whernside. Conveniently, for a small village there is a Yorkshire Dales National Park car park – Grid Reference – SD 9412 7740. Charges apply from 6am until midnight. We opted for the full day parking option for £5. There is also a handy public toilet, which at the time of writing this you don’t have to pay for, unlike most other public toilets in the dales…always a bonus! The Route:  There are multiple routes to summit Buckden Pike, our walk is probably the easier of the routes which started from the left-hand side of the car park, through the gates to the bridleway. This bridleway is signposted ‘Buckden Pike’ and ‘Cray High Bridge’. Follow the bridleways stony track, which is an obvious track, making sure to keep the stone wall to your left. After approximately 15 minutes of walking, you shall meet a gate in front of you with a footpath sign on the right for ‘Buckden Pike’ (note: the footpath is through the gate). Walk through this gate and follow the less obvious, yet well-trodden, grassy path that takes you through the middle of the field until it meets the gate on the next wall. Walk through this gate and continue on this path, you will pass through four moreRead more →

Aye Gill Pike is a Marylynn in the Yorkshire Dales Southern Fells. Although it doesn’t conform to the usual image of a rugged pike that would spring to mind, neither does it quite sit in the category of the Dales mountains with a height of 556 metres (1,824 ft).  It is still worth the hike as from the top you are surrounded by 360-degree views of higher fells such as Great Coum and Whernside and the Howgills.

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On a fantastically sunny day in May we chose to hike up Fremington Edge followed by Calver Hill. We started this circular walk from the Bridge Inn in Grinton.

Walk left over the bridge and you shall pass by the Dales Bike Centre as you enter Fremington (which incidentally is a great place to hire bikes and have a snack at their café!).

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This is a relatively easy walk taking in 3 charming dales villages in Wharfedale. The walk can be started from Burnsall, Thorpe or Grassington. I chose to start at Burnsall as I consider Burnsall to be one of the most beautiful villages in the Yorkshire Dales and home to a great dog friendly pub, The Red Lion Hotel , perfect for a tasty pint at the end of my walk!

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We set ourselves a challenge to walk to one of our favourite pubs the Fox and Hound in West Witton, Wensleydale – a dying breed of pub. If you’re not familiar with the area than let me tell you that it is quite a trek…but well worth it as Blackie, the landlord has some of the best kept beers in the area! After several glorious Sunny days we decided that tomorrow we shall go on our adventure over the border from Swaledale to Wensleydale and soak up some of the sunshine.

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We haven’t had the best spring this year, the weather has been a little temperamental to say the very least! But the second bank holiday in May, was a beautiful sunny day. For the first time this year, the sunscreen was out and the sunglasses were on…summer has finally arrived in the Yorkshire Dales (fingers crossed). What a lovely day for Greg’s (our yellow Labrador) birthday walk – 11 years old, hurrah!!

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This is an easy-going walk in Swaledale on a well-marked track. The walk combines some stunning views with aspects of the areas heritage such as some of the best mining ruins in Swaledale. There are also many shooting butts along the route as it is one of the well-known areas for grouse shooting. As such, dogs are asked to be kept on the lead during the nesting season (May to July).

The walk starts at Surrender Bridge which is located on the road from Low Row in Swaledale to Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale. If approaching from the direction of Low Row, you shall see a parking layby to the right just before Surrender Bridge on the road signposted towards Reeth. Park in this layby, walk across Surrender Bridge until you meet the signposted track on the left.

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This walk is a great walk which keeps mainly to the lower ground along the Arkle Beck and finishing off with a lovely stroll along the River Swale. A perfect choice if you are not in the mood for a hard uphill hike!

I started at the Bridge Inn at Grinton in Swaledale. From the pub turn right in the direction of Fremington over the bridge. When you pass the Dales Bike Centre cross the road and walk past the bus stop and around the bend.

On the left you shall notice a lane heading up to High Fremington. When you reach the houses at the top of the lane keep right and follow the grassy path keeping the stone wall to your right. This grassy path reaches a narrow road, turn right up the hill.

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Gunnerside Gill is a fantastic walk! In fact it has to be one of my favourite walks, as although it is relatively hard in places it is well worth it as parts of the walk are quite dramatic and the views are sensational! The photos are from a very icy Sunday in January, crampons would have been a good idea but alas I was not that organised. Lesson learnt…I now have crampons in my pack as essential kit on all winter walks!

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Our soggy walk started at the Bridge Inn in Grinton, about a mile outside of Reeth. Normally the car park at the Bridge Inn is for patrons only but, and I quote “if you’re popping in for a cheeky pint after the walk your more than welcome to park here” Andrew, Landlord. Alternatively, you can park in Reeth and start the walk from there.

If you do choose to park in Reeth, there is parking on the village green which is payable on a donation basis of £1 for the day – bargain! Once you’re parked up, walk down the hill in the direction of Grinton. Follow the road around until you reach the Bridge Inn.

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