Yorkshire Dales Walk 1: Wharfedale



Date: Sunday 24th July 2011
Route: Burnsall to Linton and back again
Distance: 6.5 miles

After a hectic few days, our first walk in the Yorkshire Dales surpassed every expectation - fantastic scenery, an easy route and unexpectedly lovely weather made this the perfect start to a week of walking in an area that we haven't really walked in before.

We chose to kick off with a "medium" difficulty walk from the Yorkshire Dales Pathfinder Guide - walk 12 - accurately described as "an agreeably relaxing walk through some of Wharfedale's finest scenery."

The walk starts and ends in Burnsall, a riverside village complete with a shop, tearoom, pub (The Red Lion) and two competing car parks (£2 or £3 - your choice!). The very straightforward riverside path follows the River Wharfe along the Dales Way, with the option of either crossing the river on a suspension bridge or on stepping stones (the dire warnings about "no heroics" on the stepping stones from the guidebook were fortunately not needed today, with relatively low water levels and only a bit of will-power needed to prevent succumbing to the slightly vertiginous waters!).

Once over to the other side, the path continues to follow the river until turning into a track to Linton Falls, then over the bridge and Falls to the part of the village near the church (and a handily situated ice cream kiosk). From there the route heads away from the river and up onto the hillsides, with more spectacular views over the rolling countryside, through the main part of Linton Village, along the beck, opposite the village green and pub, then alongside a dry stone wall and over fields to Thorpe Lane.

En route to Thorpe Lane the number of walkers diminishes rapidly and the walk feels much more remote (albeit with good signposts and stiles). The lane is bordered on both sides by dry stone walls and wild flowers, with rolling hills to either side and occasional cyclists the only real traffic to contend with. Chaffinches brighten up the hedgerows and swallows swoop around catching flies as the pretty village of Thorpe/ Thorpe-in-the-Hollow is left behind in favour of more fields and beautiful views.

After a few fields and multiple ladder stiles, plus a horse standing in front of the gate we have no option but to pass through, Burnsall appears again, with the prospect of more river views, cake and a welcome beer. Let's hope this week has started as it means to go on!