Stocks reservoir walk
12km starting from the car park or 15km if you start from Dalehouse. (approx.)
Allow 3.5 – 4 hours
This is a gentle but scenically varied walk around Stocks reservoir. You can start straight from the house or from Stocks Reservoir car park. The car park is pay and display and is £3.00 for the day.
The walk follows a mixture of grass, stone tracks and paths through woodland and across fields. You will need to negotiate gates, kissing gates, steps, footbridges and a couple of stiles. Up to 30 species of wildfowl can be encountered and amongst often spectacular numbers of common species one might come across more uncommon species such as Red Throated Diver, Whooper Swan, Gadwall, Ring-Necked and Long-Tailed Ducks. From October to March, the most numerous water birds are Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Canada Geese.
You may come across grazing sheep and cattle. Refreshments are available at the cafe in the Fishing Lodge from March to October although it’s worth checking they are open or else we can make you a delicious packed lunch or afternoon tea to take with you.
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Austwick walk
8.5km
approx. 2 – 2.5 hours
This is a lovely low-level walk that is especially nice in April and May (because of the bluebells and other wild flowers) when it is well worth an extra detour into Oxenberg and Wharf woods.
Austwick is a charming village in Ribblesdale. Situated just five miles north-west of Settle, it is typical of the area with cottages built from stone taken from local quarries and has several delightful public spaces a small local shop a pub and a hotel.
Around a quarter of Austwick’s area is uncut moorland, making it a popular base for walkers and bird watchers. Many birds, including the Spotted Flycatcher, occupy these moors and the trees surrounding the village.
The land around the village has been lived on for more than four millennia and evidence of large settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages has been found in recent decades. Even many of the buildings that stand today are of historical interest, with some dating back to the 16th century.
The woodland area of Oxenberg and Wharfe woods would also have been an important source of firewood and timber for locals in times gone by.
Today it is designated as a Site Of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and in spring is a glorious tapestry of bluebells and other woodland flowers. The woodland is part of an Open Access agreement and access paths have been laid out through the wood.
A worthwhile stop for refreshment is Elaine’s café in Feizor or we can make you a packed picnic lunch or afternoon tea to take with you but please let me know in advance.
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Ingleborough summit loop
(Starting from Clapham) 17km, 640m ascent.
Approx. 5-6 hours
Ingleborough (723 m or 2,372 ft) is the2nd highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales. It is one of the Yorkshire 3 peaks. This walk starts from the picturesque village of Clapham where there is a national car park and a couple of cafes as well as a village shop and a bric c brac/antique shop. This is a big day walk and the weather should be taken into consideration before setting off. Make sure you have the right clothing and sufficient food and drink.
You will pass the entrance of Ingleborough cave and pass through the imposing limestone gorge of Trow Gill, then reaching Gaping Gill which is an unmistakable landmark on the southern slope of Ingleborough – a 98m deep pothole with Fell Beck flowing into it. The cavern is one of the largest known underground chambers in Britain and holds the record for the highest unbroken waterfall in the country. You will then climb to the summit of the mountain before picking up the Dales highway and the Pennine bridleway through stunning lime stone pavement scenery and dales views as you make your way back to Clapham.
The reading room café in Clapham is my favourite and has a tiny attached pub inside. Closed on Wednesdays.
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We can make you a packed picnic lunch or afternoon tea to take with you but please let me know in advance.