Saturday 12 June 2010

The Dales Way - Appletreewick to Kettlewell (11 1/2 miles)

After an excellent Full English Breakfast at the pub at 09:00 we settled up our bill and arranged to leave our bag in the bar so that the “Sherpa Van” service could collect it later and deliver it to Kettlewell Youth Hostel. We were away at 09:30 and walked about a quarter of a mile down the road on another sunny day which was breezy and not too warm. Following an an enclosed path past a very large and busy camp site, we were soon once again walking along a footpath running alongside the river Wharfe.
 New Inn, Appletreewick
Soon we reached the bridge across the river at the lovely village of Burnsall. There was a Tea Shop busy with cyclists and next door a village shop. I bought some orange juice and some fudge and Karen also bought a snack and we sat on a bench overlooking a large green area next to the bridge as ducks waddled over to see if they were in luck and could cadge any food off us.
Burnsall Bridge
After our quick snack we crossed over the road from the bridge and followed a path past the Red Lion pub next to the river. We passed a couple of fishermen and arrived at a narrow pedestrian suspension bridge crossing to the opposite side of the river. After following along the river bank and across a large pasture, which missed a loop in the river, we saw some houses on the opposite river bank with a footbridge crossing over.
Suspension Foot Bridge
This was the small village of Linton Falls. The Falls themselves are not very large and were below the far side of the bridge. We saw on the map that there was a Public Toilet nearby, so we decided to make use of the facilities.
 Linton Falls
Afterwards we retraced our steps and re-crossed the bridge. Continuing along wide river bank we arrived at Grassington Bridge which is built of stone and carries a busy road.
 No Camping Allowed!
We crossed the road which crosses the bridge and then followed the roadside footpath for a short distance into the quite large village of Grassington and were soon in the lovely Market Square. This was quite crowded as the Bradford Grammar School Big Band were giving an open air concert. We went into a nearby Tea Shop and had a pot of tea and toasted tea cake. Karen returned to the Market Square to get some cash from an ATM.
 Market Square, Grassington
Walking uphill past the old Town Hall, we followed a small road and then along a lane to fields. We had left the river Wharfe for open limestone country with their network of drystone walls.
Following a well-marked route we arrived at a large lime kiln and decided stop for lunch which would be sandwiches we had bought earlier in Grassington.
 Lime Kiln
After our stop we continue on our way along the Dales Way, pausing to look at Conistone Dib, which is a dry valley with interesting limestone outcrops and features.
Continuing again listening to the curlews and skylarks; mainly curlews but with a few skylarks and also a few lapwings we clambered up and stood on top of Conistone Pie, which is a natural limestone feature but looks like a tower form the distance. From here were lovely views to the Littondale junction with Wharfedale with Kettlewell in the distance and the imposing Kilnsey Crag opposite.
 Conistone Pie
We followed along wide grass-covered limestone bench beneath a limestone escarpment to arrive at a gate in corner of a wood leading onto a steeply-descending track dropping onto the road to Kettlewell. After following the quiet road for a while, we passed through a gate and numerous fields with some gates and some stiles to eventually arrive at a narrow path leading past some houses into Kettlewell village centre.
 Kettlewell Roof Tops
We soon found Kettlewell Youth Hostel, arriving at 17:40.We booked in and ordered an evening meal and the went upstairs to a 5 bed room to ourselves.
After a shower and changing into clean clothes, we sat in the Lounge for a while then went to the Dining Room for our meals. Afterwards we had a walk around the village and had a quick drink to ourselves in the King Head down the road, again quite busy with customer watching England play USA in the World Cup.

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