High Force

 

A linear walk starting and finishing at the Bowlee Visitor Centre.  Unfortunately, the blue sky forecast when we set up never materialised, so most of the time there was varying degrees of cloud cover.

This is another walk best suited for the summer when the trees have leaves, and the ferns and bracken the path passes through are fully grown.  They had been cut back when we visited.

This walk takes in Low Force, High Force and Bleabeck Force.  In part, the walk follows the Pennine Way.  It offers free access/view of the falls.

The first view of Low Force 

Then it is time to cross a rickety bridge (only one person to cross at a time!)

From the bridge, a section of rapids becomes visible as the river enters a rocky gorge.

And from the vantage point at the far side of the river, all three sections come into view.

Following the river up river, there are many rocks in the water and white water, and the channel is regularly narrowed by large rock outcrops.

Then onto High Force.

The drop is 22m, making it one of the highest in England.  It has the highest volume of water passing over it.

The paid access to the falls has less walking, and arguably has the best view as it is looking up at the falls.

The free access gives access to the top.

Where you can get a good feel of the power of the falls.

A short distance further along the river is Bleabeck Force.

Which is immediately opposite the quarry.

Going beyond Bleasdale Beck, the moor opens up.

Walking back took the opportunity to walk out onto some of the rocky outcrops.

Sheep are important, so either a very stylised statue. 

Or a breed which looks like Krampus was modelled on!

After a break in Bowlee's cafe, it was back to the car.  There was a nice little waterfall next to the car park. 

If we had walked another 10 minutes or so, we would have reached Summerhill Force, a tad more impressive!

  

Helmsley Rievaulx return

 

A linear walk starting in the Cleveland Way car park.

This is a relatively gentle walk on paths and then roads.  The first section of the walk is on field edges, the middle section through woods, and the final section to Rievaulx Abbey is on roads. 

The woods

When you turn right towards the abbey, there is river access

And a glorious riverside garden.  Some people are very lucky.

Most of the road section of the walk is dominated by different views of the abbey.

Whilst the Abbey is English Heritage, the top of the hill to the right is Rievaulx Terrace, a National Trust property, which has a wonderful view of the abbey.  This can be obstructed by foliage in summer.

Rievaulx Abbey is one of the more imposing abbey ruins in the area.

When walking back, the view of the ruin of Helmsley Castle is visible.  For the last 30 minutes of the walk, different elements of the castle become visible or are hidden by the landscape. There are very few points when it all can be seen. 

Settle - Stainforth - Catrigg

Walk starting and finishing at one of the nicest railway stations I know

A short walk through town until crossing the river. 

Then, following the Ribble Way

I always prefer river walks in Summer when the sun is out and leaves are on the trees.  So I decided to take a different path, going up the side of the valley.  This was a little longer but gave great views of the traditional stone wall landscape on the other side of the valley.  

And as it is spring, plenty of lambs to see.

Came down at Stainforth Bridge and Falls, a great place to sit and enjoy the moment.

Then followed the Pennine Bridle Way up to Catrigg Force.  This was after around 30 minutes of constant uphill.  But it was worth stopping and turning round to see how the view changed.

Being cautious, I didn’t scramble for a closer look at Catrigg, but it was still a fine waterfall.

Then missed a marker and ended up following the road rather than the bridleway, both were similar distances and still got great views.

Had the chance to get up close to crags on the walk back down to Settle.

And the old quarry doesn't look out of place.

And unfortunately, I had missed my train, so I had to kill an hour in the Golden Lion.