After meeting up in the lay by next to the River Wharfe in Castley, we set off in fair and bright weather through the village, joining the public footpath at the side of Bank House Farm, which took us into a field occupied by a beautiful and friendly horse. Through a stone tunnel under the railway bridge, we were met with stunning views across this part of Yorkshire…and a bit of a steep (but short) climb up through a field (the first of many to be full of ewes and their lambs) which levelled out a little eventually and joined Wescoe Hill Lane which we followed down into the village of Weeton, passing a few fine houses and beautiful cottages along the way. We re-joined the footpath which took us through some scenic fields (and over plenty of stiles) past Kent House Farm, over the railway this time, and onto the Harrogate Rd (A658) for a short distance before rejoining the footpath through a kissing gate which took us across Mawking Hill to the foot of two pretty impressive properties at the bottom of North Rigton.
As we headed up to the village, we took a diversion to the right to indulge in the hospitality of the Square & Compass Inn – a beautifully decorated and kept pub restaurant, with staff as friendly as any we’d met. Great service (including shot glasses of Smarties with our tea) kept us there for one drink more than we’d planned, before we set off (by now in drizzle) back down the hill and up Crag Lane to rejoin the footpath up to Almscliffe Crag itself, passing the first of what turned out to be a wide variety of cattle we saw over the remaining walk. 1 |
The route intended for us to go around the bottom of the crag, but being an adventurous lot, we climbed right to the top and (in the cold and rain) proceeded to enjoy a picnic of home packed sandwiches and tea. Even though the weather was madly cold up there for the time of year, we enjoyed some long and fine views before making our way down to Merribank Lane (and steadily brighter weather), and followed it down to rejoin the footpath via Lower Banks Farm.
After an unsuccessful attempt at a shortcut through a large field (thwarted by a local and authoritative resident), we walked along the woodland called Bailey’s Whins, and were delighted to find not only that the weather had turned fine again, but also that the bluebells had blossomed and were scenting the air all around us. Down past Bogridge Farm and we followed the path alongside and into Riffa Woods, again swathed in a beautiful carpet of Bluebells, and past Riffa Manor and cottages. We follow the Main Rd for a while before turning off to pass Brocklands Farm down to the access road for Ings Farm which takes us nicely back to the layby. A great 7.5 miles, full of great company and plenty of giggles! written by Fiona http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=354&p=0 2 |