Pateley Bridge and Brimham Rocks

 Walk the World to Rights Walk - Pateley Bridge to Brimham Rocks 13/07/2025

I have been to Brimham Rocks and Pateley Bridge many times but never walked between them

This was a nice walk starting from the centre of Pateley Bridge there was a steep climb over tarmac paths to get out of town before the views opened up.

And the walk up to Brimham Rocks was through farmland.

There was a nice suprise when we had to walk through a field of Llamas.

The land was not showing too many signs of the water shortage in Yorkshire.

I always prefer walks which include something interesting to see.  Brimham Rocks certainly fits the bill.  And made a great location for a lunch break.

And Menwith Hill was on the next hill along.

After a short walk along a road, the path dropped gradually down to the River Nidd

This was a wonderful part of the walk through woodland along the side of the river.

I'm always a sucker for a reflection

A slight detour took us past a very dry Glasshouses Dam

The path then skirted a meadow, although not bursting, there was a fine display of wildflowers.

Before following a walled path back to the centre of Pateley Bridge.

This was a wonderful walk, primarily out of town, with some great panoramic views, a lot of variety in the landscape, including woodlands, a riverbank, and rock formations, with very little road walking and the added bonus of llamas.

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Swinstry and three other reservoirs

A circular walk from Swinsty around three other reservoirs.

The walk itself includes some great vistas, different woodland types, field perimeters, a crag, a little road walking and 4 reservoirs.  The only thing really missing is a riverbank section.  There was some climbing but nothing too arduous under normal circumstances (a bit of effort with temperatures in the high 20s).

Swinstry, with the water way down

After passing through some woods the path opened out onto pastures

 

And then John O`Gaunts Reservoir

Then to Beaver Dyke Resevoir which has been abandoned

Then,  through the Scargill Plantation

And onto the Scargil Reservoir

The next section was the least enjoyable part of the walk, firstly along about 600m along a straight access road to the road to Stainburn Woods.

We made a slight error and went into the woods and missed out on the view of Little Alms Cliff.

  

The route followed forest paths

Before passing through a section of natural woodland until we reached another road section.  Which had views over Swinsty 

And the ever-present Menwith Hill

Then passed through farmland to reach Swinsty

Thankfully, this giant was at the other side of the wall. But that gap was a little unnerving 

And then along a section next to the reservoir back to the car

Then onto the Sun Inn, only a 5 minute drive away for a well-earned drink.

This was one of my favourite walks so far.

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Ilkley Moor

Cow and Calf Rocks to Cow and Calf Pub - 18/06/25

Walking - Dave, Tina, Janet and Jennifer.

This was made up by linking various paths on Ilklely Moor.  The original plan was to make our way to Whetstone Gate before heading back.  But it was a nice day, none of us had been on this part of the moor before, so we decided to extend the walk by probably 50%

Starting from the car park at the Cow and Calf 

Then follow the path up the hill.to one of the highest points on the walk.

Then follow the Dales Highway to the 12 Apostles.

Backtrack slightly to follow a paved path past the trig point and the Stanza Stones.  Stones in the middle of the moor with poetry 

And some fine views of Menwith Hill - the secret listening post.

And onto the Whetsone Gate, with car access to the far side of the moor. Crossing "Keighley Road", and up the hill to the Buckstones.

Then, steep downhill to the path that runs alongside Rombalds Moor.

To join the Millennium Way / Dales Highway. 

With some nice views over the valley

The reservoir.

Eventually, we left the Millennium Way to follow a path through the bracken.

Which brought us back to the top of the Cow and calf.

 

And the Cow and Calf from the Cow and Calf

Journeys End

It was a lot longer than planned, but we were on parts of the moor none of us had been on before so a little exploring was in order.  Great views and lots to see, and the only time we walked on the side of the road was from the pub to the car park!.