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.

Buckden - Cray - Hubberholme

Sunny days in March should not be wasted.  On the spur of the moment, we decided on a trip to Buckden.

Due to an oversight, we didn't have a map of the walk that we had planned to do. D'oh - so we winged it.  A nice feature with the Ordnance Survey App. it will record an activity - even if you can't see a map.

The walk started with a climb from the car park, which opened up the view of the head of the dale. 

Then the path levelled out, with great views in all directions.

This was followed by a steep drop into Cray.  There were stepping stones to cross the stream. And a picturesque little waterfall and bridge for a break.

Then we went wrong - instead of going down the path to follow Cray Gill we followed the path towards Yockenthwaite.

And enjoyed some of the finest views of Wharfedale to be had.

At Scar House, we followed the drive down to Hubberholme. We met a couple who were finding it a slog coming up - it wasn't much better going down.

Hubberholme is only a small place with a pleasant river bank.

And St Michael and All Angels church - it is a delightful little church.  And used for the wedding in "All Creatures Great and Small".

Then we asked a local the best route to Buckden. He directed us along the longer,  but quieter road, as opposed to the slightly busier road, and totally forgot to mention the walk on the river bank!  

Thats not to say there weren't some good views.  Ironically, if we had followed the original walk, we would have passed this same stretch - but going in the other direction.

I won't forget the map again!   

This must be one of the best views from a car park.