We are nearing the end of this trip to Brigholme Farm CL and there are still some Ordnance Survey trig pillars in the area that I have not “bagged” and as luck would have it a visit to them can be combined with a walk in Crummack Dale.
The starting point for my walk is the Dales National Park car park in Clapham. There is the option of on road parking but the parking fees provide some income to support the on-going maintenance of access routes within the Dales.
Turning right out of the car park I walk up to the village church and then take the track to the right leading uphill through the tunnels by Ingleborough Hall. As the track levels out I ignore a track on the left and continue straight on along Thwaite Lane with the stunning Robin Proctor’s Scar to my left.
It is a cracking afternoon and I do not meet a soul as a stroll along this dry stone walled track.
On reaching the tarmac Crummack Lane, I turn left towards Crummack.
I stay on the lane passing the entrance to Sowerthwaite Farm and then at the next junction of lanes turn right onto a stony track, White Stone Lane. Our passing is watched carefully by sheep on an outcrop.
The track leads to Austwick Beck with its cracking clapper bridge.
The beck provides Crosby with the opportunity for a drink and the chance to stand in the water to cool his legs down. Just down stream is a notice board explaining that this part of the stream is known as the Wash Dub. Prior to the introduction of chemical sheep dips the process of ridding sheep of parasites was to wash them by immersing them in water and giving them a good rub. Local farmers would band together to help each other, the beck would be damned and the sheep driven down from nearby pastures.
Resuming my walk I soon reach a lane on the left, here I turn to leave the main track. This is another wall-lined track with some cracking scenery.
I have walked this route many times and it is easy to follow. The track passes through a couple of gates and then swings to the right to head steadily uphill towards Moughton Scars.
As I ascend I meet a couple heading down, the first folk I have seen since setting off. As I near the top of the grassy track there are great views of the scar.
On reaching the level ground on top of the scar I turn right and find a suitable perch to stop for lunch. There are not many better places to sit for a while and refuel.
Refreshed I continue in a southerly direction along the edge of the scar and then turn to the east to reach the Ordnance Survey trig pillar, which has stunning views. This is the 152nd I have bagged.
My route now heads northeasterly through the limestone pavement heading towards a dry stone wall. On reaching the wall I turn left and follow it until I reach a ladder stile.
Ladder stiles are not easy with a Labrador and this one is harder then most. It has lost a rung and someone has stacked rocks to provide a step but not the easiest to use when lifting a 25kg dog onto the top.
After crossing the wall I turn left and keep the wall to my left as I proceed along to reach a gate. I am following a path across this area of access land and this brings me to a junction with the Three Peaks path running between Ingleborough and Horton-in-Ribblesdale. I turn left and then just before reaching a gate take a right to head through the access land with a dry stone wall on my left.
The reason for this diversion is to bag the OS trig pillar at Sulber, becoming my 153rd.
Trig successfully bagged I retrace my steps back towards the gate on the Three Peaks Path. This is another area strewn with limestone pavement.
On reaching the Three Peaks path I turn right and head through the gate a follow the well used track.
For the last hour or so I have heard the constant sound of a helicopter and I eventually spotted it carrying material to a point somewhere on the Three Peaks path.
At a crossing of paths I stay on this main path heading towards Nick Pot. This takes me to the area where the helicopter has been depositing material, then after passing through a gate I go through an area of limestone pavement. At a way-marker I turn left, this is just before reaching another gate. This clear route now heads south through further areas of limestone pavement.
At a junction of paths I turn right to join the route of the Pennine Bridleway, within a few hundred yards the path divides and I take the right fork. This grassy track leads me to a gate in a dry stone wall.
Heading down through sheep pasture I reach a gate leading into Long Lane, this is my route back to Clapham.
I have walked this route many times, as the name suggests it is a long lane, which around thirty years ago my daughter Lolly would complain about walking along. A constant “I can’t go any further” would be heard. It was not the distance that bothered her it was the absence of stiles or something to climb.
I spot a group of youngsters on the scar top preparing to abseil down. Many years ago, whilst on a management team building course, I was invited to abseil a couple of hundred feet down into a water filled quarry. Much to the course leaders annoyance I declined. I had spotted on the map that there were paths that would lead to the same point and accompanied by similarly minded colleagues took that option. As you will gather abseiling is not for me!
At the end of Long Lane I turn right and head downhill, going through the two tunnels to reach Clapham and the car. My walk has covered just over twelve and a half miles. It has been a cracking walk, one that I am sure to do again.
To view this 12.5 mile walk on OS Maps Click Here
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorers OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western
24th July 2019
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2019)