Thursday 10 March 2016

Clough Force

Clough Force

If you are in the vicinity of Garsdale Railway Station, on the Settle to Carlisle route, you may want to pay this one a visit. 
The only access and view point (without trespassing) is up through the moorland opposite the "Coal Road", (This is the road which takes you from the A684 to Garsdale Station, and eventually over the top to Dentdale). 
Park on this lane if possible or at the train station, and walk back down the hill to the main road. 
You will see the signpost at the side of the stile, however there is a gate a few meters further along. 
Go through either and follow the wall on the left, in a straight line towards the wooden Power pylon, here, head left toward the gate in the wall. 
Once through continue straight on. 
The pathway overlooks the falls and it is a steep and slippy climb down to the fence, which is as near as you will get. 


"Follow the wall on the left, in a straight line towards the wooden Power pylon, here, head left toward the gate in the wall"

As near as you will get without trespassing



Ure Force




Ure Force


Whilst you are in the vicinity of Cotter Force and Mossdale Beck Falls, Ure Falls is a "must see". 
2 wonderful falls cascade down either side of a lovely stone bridge surrounded by wonderful scenery. 
Continue along the A684 from Appersett until you get to the Moorcock Inn. Take the right turn onto the B6259. 
There is a lay-by on your left, or park in the Pub car park. 
Behind you is the Dandrymire Viaduct, on the Settle to Carlisle railway. 
Walk 25m past the pub car park until you come to a stile leading you to the footpath which tracks diagonally across the moorland towards Yore House. 
Alternatively continue a further 200m along the road until you come to the gated entrance to "Cobbles Hill", the access lane to Yore House. 
Either way both lead you to the stone bridge where the lower part of Ure Force cascades down. 
Look upstream to see the upper part.







Wonderful Scenery!


Mossdale Beck Falls

Mossdale Beck Falls


If you've been to Cotter Force, then there is no reason why you shouldn't call at the delightful Mossdale Beck falls as well. 
Take the A684 road out of Hawes through Appersett and after approx 4 km you will come to Thwaite Bridge. 
Park in the Lay-by where the large mounds of gravel are. 
You have 2 choices. 
1/ Either follow the signposted National Park pathway, which starts opposite the small bridge. This takes you up and over the Fall Rigg hill and down to the farm yard. A short but steepish climb through boggy terrain. 
Or 
2/ Follow the road way around Fall Rigg through the Farm yard. Although there are no signs saying "Private", there is no public right of way, so best ask permission if possible. 

There are 2 delightful falls to be seen, and more further upstream as well.









Heugh Gill Falls

Heugh Gill Falls

If you like rambling or walking, then take in these charming cascades as part of you walk. There are plenty of walks on Eastby Moor and nearby Embsay Crag.
 A specific trip to see these is not advised unless you need to, as I did. 

The falls tumble down from Eastby Moor nr Embsay, (Famous for the  "Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway") which lies just outside the Market Town of Skipton - on the doorstep to the Yorkshire Dales. 

Park on Barden Road in Eastby and make your way to Hunters Croft,(a small cul-de-sac). Here you will see a signpost to Eastby Moor. At the rear of the croft is an old sunken sledge track which takes you up to the moor, cross the stiles as you work you way up. After the 3rd stile you are immediately faced with a waymarked ladder stile and a gate on your right.
Ignore these and turn left, through a wide gap in the wall. 
Make your way gingerly down the steep sides of Heugh Gill to the falls, Some scrambling is required to gain access to the higher ones.


"Hunters Croft" - Signpost to Eastby Moor

1st of 3 Stiles - Note the sign!

2nd of 3 Stiles

Last stile before the ladder, Turn left










Tuesday 8 March 2016

Posforth Gill

Posforth Gill,

Bolton Abbey, A place known for its Priory ruins, The Strid, and its walks along the River Wharfe also has 2 other Waterfalls up the Valley of Desolation. 

Just off the path to "Simons Seat" is there are 2 other falls well worth a visit.

There are parking charges but these are transferable on the day between the 3 Car parks, 

1/ Bolton Abbey car park is closest to the Priory Church and Ruins and Stepping Stones.

2/ The Cavendish Pavilion car park which is adjacent to the river Wharfe , entrance to Strid Wood. 
and the walk to the Valley of Desolation.

3/ Strid Wood car park at the northern end of the Estate.

Park at the Cavendish Pavillion and cross the wooden bridge. 
Turn left and go through the gate, following the path upstream and join the road to Waterfall Cottage.
 At the cottage, turn right through the gate and follow the track uphill. 
You soon reach a track down to the left to the first, and largest waterfall. 
Cross the footbridge and follow the path to the fall.



Park at the Cavendish Pavillion

Cross the wooden bridge

Head down toward the footbridge
Cross the footbridge and follow the path to the fall








By continuing up the left hand side of the fall, continue along the track until you come to a point where the pathway heads left away from the stream. There is a small track that continues straight on which leads to the second fall.




Jenny Whalley Force

Jenny Whalley Force


"Ravenseat - in the middle of Nowhere" - Is how the place is described on the Ravenseat Website
Home to the "World Famous" Tweeting Shepherdess, Amanda Owen. 
Approx 8 Km North West of Keld on the Coast to Coast Route, it is probably the most remote farm in Yorkshire but a good place to park if you want to visit several waterfalls. 

Jenny Whalley is the nearest being a mere 250 meters north of the farm. 
The Ordnance Survey National Pathways map shows the acceptable route as follows:-

Leave the vehicle and cross the small bridge toward the farm, 
turn immediately right over the second bridge then head up towards the cottages, 
then turn left through the gate and head back down towards the farm yard skirting around behind the barn and over another bridge. 
Head through the farm yard and out of the gate at the far end. 
The waterfall is on the right further on. The area in front of the fall has recently been planted with saplings and has been fenced off. 

If you are "up for it", and have a good pair of wellies, follow Hoods Bottom Beck upstream past "High Force Fall" for approx 1.5 Km to some more interesting falls at Graining Scar. 


Cross the Bridge


Head toward the cottages

Skirt around the barn and cross another bridge


Foss Gill

Foss Gill

If you ever visit Malham in the Yorkshire Dales, either to see the world famous Cove, Gordale Scar or the waterfall at Janets Foss, then you will have probably gone through the village of Airton. 

Not far from here is a small but pleasant set of falls on Foss Gill.

Take the right hand turn to Calton (NOT Carlton!) and drive to the end of Kell Syke Lane (Approx 900 meters)
Leave the car and take the lane that journeys off to the left. 
Cross the ford (or take the small bridge) and continue until you reach the wooden bench. 
The track turns left through a gate, before entering the field and proceeding up hill, however you should ignore this and follow the course of the stream behind the bench for another 100m (approx). 
Here you will find the falls, a bit of scrambling and paddling may be required depending on the amount of water but they are worth a visit.



Don't go through the Gate, follow the stream behind the bench!