Sunday, 5th February 2017
| Walk: | Dales Way, Conistone, Conistone Dib, Bycliffe Road, Yarnbury, Hebden, River Wharfe, Dales Way, Linton Falls | ||
| Start Point: | Grassington NP car park | Grid Reference: | SE 002 637 |
| Distance: | 2.7 miles | Ascent: | 1,600 feet |
| Time: | 5.75 hours | ||
| Weather: | Mild but overcast | ||
| Comments: | A walk largely over limestone country, full of interest from waterfalls to lead mines. One of the highlights was Conistone Dib, a gorge that was once a narrow dry melt-water channel called the Gurling Trough. The gorge was eroded by a river of melt water at the end of the ice age and there's one place in particular where rocks caught in a whirlpool have eroded a dome shaped alcove in the limestone wall of the river channel. After making our way across the moors along tracks and grassy paths, we descended via the Miners Track to Hebden. We then joined the Dales Way alongside the River Wharfe, taking in Linton Falls on the way back to the car park. | ||
Crossing the limestone pavement . . .
Mothers Tongue (possibly) is spotted in one of the grykes
Built in 1885 by the local Methodist Society, the District Education and Youth Committee purchased the Chapel in 1980 and developed it into a Hostel which opened in 1983
Heading up Conistone Dib . . .
a narrow gap leads out of the 'whirlpool' section . . .
before the route widens out . . .
providing the perfect spot for our morning break
The Hawthorn tree . . .
is weighed down by a profusion of berries
Pat leads the group up a sharp ascent . . .
then up the final scramble . . .
which looks easier from above
Yarnbury, a Grade II listed building associated with the lead mining activities in this area
'Two minutes' marks the end of lunch beside Hebden Beck
Looking back up . . .
and down the Miners Track . . .
where large gritstone boulders loom on our left
Hole Bottom - looks prettier than it sounds!
The bridge at Hebden - but not Hebden Bridge!
Pedestrian swing bridge . . .
over the River Wharfe
Playing 'King of the Castle'?
Approaching Linton Falls . . .
we are treated to . . .
a group of kayakers . . .
enjoying the white water . . .
bewteen the rocks . . .
all done and time to go
In the opposite direction we have a good view . . .
of Linton Falls and the weir beyond