A-Walking: Western Wensleydale Walkabout

Our three expeditions this week (Sunday, 20th June) each took place in the Wensleydale area of North Yorkshire. The A-Walk set off from Wensley while the B-Walk and C-Walk both started at Aysgarth.

After leaving Wensley {SE 091 894}, the intent of the A-Walk was to visit West Witton, West Burton, Cote Bridge, Penhill, Bolton Hall and Wensley before arriving at our final destination in Leyburn {SE 111 905}.

We left our drop-off point at about 11.10 am. There were ten people in the group: JB, JPB, PB, RB, MC, CH, KF, CL, AM and LM. MC led the walk.

We set off from Wensley Bridge {SE 091 894} on the A684 road and followed a westerly-going footpath along the bank of the River Ure. We crossed the access road to Bolton Hall at {SE 075 890} and continued on to the path junction at {SE 071 891}. From here we followed a south-westerly path that took us to Back Lane (track). This led us into West Witton {SE 060 884}.


After we passed The Wensleydale Heifer hostelry (see the picture above), we turned left and climbed up towards the entrance to the caravan park at Chantry {SE 054 882}. We now followed Langthwaite Lane (a well-defined track) in a westerly direction to {SE 042 886}. From here we went across the fields, still moving in a westerly direction) and then dropped down to Penhill Preceptory {SE 035 887} where we decided to take a lunch break in the glorious sunshine.


After lunch, we followed a footpath that took us in a south-westerly direction towards West Burton {SE 020 865}. Continuing in a southerly direction we now made our way across the fields to reach the minor road at Cote Bridge {SE 018 856}. Turning left along the road, we followed this for about 200 yards and then turned left off the road in order to commence the major ascent of the day. This involved a steep climb up towards Thupton Gill {SE 024 853}. From here our climb continued in an easterly direction to {SE 033 849} near Harland Hill. At this point, we turned left and headed in a northerly direction towards the Height of Hazely {SE 037 860}.

Turning left, we proceeded on a bearing of 283° to reach the stone boundary wall at {SE 035 860}. We followed this wall in a north-easterly direction to {SE 037 863} where we stopped for a short tea-break. From this location on the north-west side of Penhill, we had some tremendous views of Wensleydale and the surrounding terrain.

After our short break, we continued on our easterly trek - following the stone wall on the north side of Penhill. As we progressed along our route, we passed Black Scar and Penhill Scar on our left. After passing the trig point at {SE 050 867} (see picture below), we continued following the stone wall to {SE 054 865} and then descended from Penhill to reach the minor road at {SE 067 869} where we turned left.


We followed the road in a northerly direction to the road junction near Penhill Farm {SE 067 874} where we turned right along the road. We stayed with the road until we reached a public footpath on our left at {SE 075 874}. At this point we departed from the road and descended from Middleham High Moor towards Capple Bank {SE 075 878}.

We maintained our northerly bearing until we reached Lords Bridge where we crossed the River Ure {SE 075 891}. We now followed the access track towards Bolton Hall {SE 075 896} which we passed on our left.


From the Hall, we had an easterly trek through Wensley Park back to Wensley {SE 091 896} from where we had departed some hours previously. After crossing the A684 road we went along the minor road near the church to reach a lane at {SE 093 895} where we turned left. We followed this uphill for about 170 yards and then turned right onto an easterly-going footpath at {SE 093 896}. This took us across the fields to {SE 098 896}. We now turned onto a north-easterly bearing which we maintained until we arrived at our final destination in Leyburn {SE 111 905}.

Many thanks to MC for organising such an interesting and exciting adventure for us today. We had a really great time. Use the buttons below to see where we went, how we did and some of the photos.

    

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