Pennine Way 9 Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

We started off in fine weather but with a poor forecast threatening to spoil the day. A steep climb up the steps at the left of the cove took us up on to the clints and grykes of the limestone pavement and it took quite some time for us all to make our cautious way across them. Thankfully the clints were dry and we all made it safely across without mishap.

Between Malham Cove and Malham Tarn there is a narrow enclosed dry valley known as Watlowes where the green turf is interspersed with outcrops of limestone, quite different from anything we had seen so far on our journey.

On past the tarn and the field study centre we soon emerged into open countryside again and Stuart announced an early lunch stop in the shelter of a wall as there was a cold wind blowing.

After lunch we made steady progress as the path took us gradually upwards to Fountains Fell . We had a second shorter stop just before we reached our highest point and this was very well timed as the weather turned showery as we left and dark clouds were amassing behind us.

As we descended the other side we got our first view of Pen-y-Ghent in the distance looking very formidable with clouds drifting across the summit now and then. It took us quite a long time to reach the beginning of the steep ascent and by this time the wind was strong and the rain was threatening to become more persistent so only six hardy souls decided to climb up to the summit. The rest of us, me included, were tempted by the thought of mugs of hot tea and toasted teacakes in the Pen-y-Ghent cafe and took the downhill option via Bracken-Bottom! Well we'd been up there many times before hadn't we and didn't feel the need to do it again in the rain.

Thanks to Jean Moxon for the photos of Pen-y-Ghent and the summit group. The rain did set in before they finished and the descent was a bit slippy so they didn't get time for any refreshment before we left. The 'A' party had finished quite early and spent some time in the pub where they picked up some extra passengers to drop off in Skipton, all good for the bank balance!

Pennine Way 8 Thornton in Craven to Malham

I missed this walk as I was enjoying a holiday in Cornwall so many thanks to Colin Gregg for the following narrative and Jean Moxon who supplied the photos.

A short coach journey enabled us to make an early 10.15 start. Thornton in Craven greeted us with an overcast sky and a very cold westerly wind encouraging the group led by Rita to make a swift departure. Heading North out of the village via Cam Lane we soon entered beautiful rolling pasture lands contrasting with the nearby high moorland areas.

After a short time we reached the Leeds & Liverpool canal at East Marton passing under the famous No 161 double arch bridge which carries the A59 (T) over the canal. The nearby canal basin contains a number of interesting vessels.

By now the sun began to make an appearance through breaks in the cloud creating a distinct improvement in the temperature and this proved to be a continuing alternation throughout the day. The group continued to snake its way across more undulating fields and through occasional large clumps of trees while the air was filled with the bleating of very many spring lambs.

After crossing the Skipton/Settle railway line we soon found ourselves in Gargrave for a welcome comfort stop. Departing Gargrave in a northerly direction we encountered more rolling pasture land albeit at a much higher elevation and vast sprawling fields. On Eshton Moor in the vicinity of Haw Crag we halted for lunch giving us panoramic views of the surrounding fells, eastwards Rylstone and Flasby Fells along with Sharp Haw and northerly glimpses of the Craven fault.











Having enjoyed a well earned rest and lunch we gradually descended into the valley to follow the course of the infant River Aire for the few miles stroll to Malham. A light shower dampened our approach to the very early finish, some of the group taking advantage of the extra time to visit Janet's Foss.

Saturday 12 February 2011

I did this walk today on my own without getting lost! John dropped me off in Thornton in Craven at 9.20 a.m. and I got to Malham at 13.40 p.m.

It was similar weather to that experienced by the group, a grey start improving throughout the day with sunny periods and no rain thankfully, but plenty of mud as it had rained hard the previous day. The infant River Aire had plenty of water in it!

Thanks to Peter for lending me his strip map of the Pennine Way with helpful notes on it. There was just one point where I was puzzling which way to proceed across a field when a friendly farmer popped up and set me off in the right direction. Apparently I was heading for a post on the horizon but I'm afraid my eyesight is not that good! Anyway I did find the post and all was straight forward after that.

Thanks to John who provided transport there and back and was willing to find me if I got lost.