Harden Circular

 Harden Circular 11/05/2025

This was a really enjoyable walk, with a friends walking group.  Included riverside woods, bluebells, Goit Stock Waterfall, moorland, and views, with limited road walking.

Originally walking from our parking spot to turn right along the access road to the caravan park.  The road runs along the side of the stream, with the last of the bluebells.

Turning off the road to a path through the woods up to Goit Stock falls.  

Considering how low the water was and 

Upstream there are smaller falls.

Some view of the woods.

Then over fields to a road, which is followed for a few hundred metres.

With some good views.

Before walking up to the moor.

In the distance was the smoke from a moorland fire

Then back to Harden via more woods

It is a walk I would happily redo!

 

 

 

Aysgarth - Castle Bolton Circular

Aysgarth - Castle Bolton Circular 10/05/2025

This was the first weekend walk with the Castleford Hiking Group.

The first thing to do was a detour from the route togo from the National Park to the top falls.

The falls were low

The view from the bridge revealed just how low the falls were.

It's the best view I have ever had.... of the rocks!

Downriver from the bridge

The middle falls were crowded, so I didn't go down.  

I could see that I would be looking at rock rather than water.

Lower falls gave a good rock display!

Then onwards to the castle

The only steep part of the walk was the road up to the castle.  

There was a distraction - a dragon on the hill

And there were great views of the castle.

And the view over the vineyard at the front of the castle.

Then it was a walk back over fields and styles to the car park, with a brief stop at a pub in Carperby - What a choice of beer Brakespeare, Wainwright, Landlord and Black Sheep!

Not the best visit to Aysgarth, but it is still a beautiful area.  The walk back from the castle was a lot less inspiring than the walk out!

Heath - Stanley Ferry circular

 Heath Stanley Ferry Circular 30/04/2025

A pleasant walk, taking in woodland, canal tow path, a few fields and finishing with a pint!

Never been to Heath before - It's a bit posh.

The Blue bridge

Over the River Aire

And onto the canal

Then onto Stanley Ferry

Carried on the canal

To the next lock

The path followed the canal a little further until it ran beside the Aire for a while

Then into the woods past several ponds

And finally to the pub

This was a nice walk, only a short crossing of fields which was a bit nondescript, but the rest was a really nice walk through woodland and canalside. Only one to cross and no walking on roads. Not too much effort, but not much shade - so good for a warm but not hot day!