Monday, 5th May 2014
| Walk: | Dales Way, The Strid, Valley of Desolation, Simon's Seat, High Skyreholme, Troller's Gill, Kail Lane, Dales Way | ||
| Start Point: | Barden Tower | Grid Reference: | SE 050 571 |
| Distance: | 14.5 miles | Ascent: | 2,470 feet |
| Time: | 7.25 hours | ||
| Weather: | Sunny with a cool breeze on exposed summits | ||
| Comments: | Barden Bridge car park had been our planned starting point but arriving at 9am it was already full! Luckily there was still space on the road beside Barden Tower, the principal hunting lodge of the Forest of Barden and home of the 10th Lord of Skipton. Passing through Strid Wood we enjoyed carpets of bluebells before leaving the Dales Way at Posforth Bridge, heading for the Valley of Desolation which owes its name to the desolation caused by the great storm in 1826. After crossing Barden Fell we reached Simon's Seat with spectacular views over Skyredale. From the trig point we descended steeply to reach Skyreholme Beck and made our way through Trollers Gill. After climbing out of the gill our route was mainly downhill to the River Wharfe and the Dales Way which took us back to Barden Bridge and the car. | ||
Leaving Barden Tower behind . . .
we were delighted to find . . .
a profusion of bluebells
The Strid, where the River Wharfe narrows
Leaving the woodland behind . . .
we are treared to more spectacular displays
After crossing Barden Fell . . .
we reach the rocky summit . . .
of Simon's Seat . . .
but Sheila prefers a lower seat
Being a Bank Holiday there are lots of people around
Looking north . . .
from the edge of the rocky outcrop . . .
or is that 'Kath's Seat'!
Entering Troller's Gill . . .
a limestone gorge . . .
supposedly the home of trolls . . .
and the mystical monstrous . . .
black dog Barghest
but also the home of a lead and fluorspar mine last worked in the 1960s
Following Skyreholme Beck upstream we find the spot . . .
where the water disappears underground
Being a stork - or walking the plank?!
The River Wyre as we rejoin the Dales Way . . .
with views back to Simons Seat . . .
a very pleasant riverside walk . . .
with a new family out for a meander
A huge sycamore tree with eroded roots . . .
attracts our attention
Barden Bridge heralds a return to . . .
Barden Tower . . .
our starting point