Pateley Bridge | Saturday 9 March 2019


Walk Leader: Andy Miller
Participants: 8
Mileage: 19 miles
Ascent: 2,350 ft
Walk Register: Yes
Walk Report: Robert Cope


With the rain pouring down and a not very optimistic forecast our group set-off from the Pateley Bridge showground - more in hope than expectation and with several of us wondering why we had made the decision to even get out of bed a few hours earlier.  But how wrong we were!  The weather improved considerably after only an hour or so and we remained dry for the rest of the day, even seeing the sun from time to time.  Our leader’s magic obviously at work yet again!

We headed east initially along the Nidderdale Way, north of the Nidd, passing the llama farm and hopping on and off the Nidderdale Way for much of the rest of the day.  Looping around the northern perimeter of Brimham Moor/Rocks we then headed south-east before turning south-south-west just after Trustee Wood and eventually crossing the Nidd on New Bridge (“new” being a relative term if I remember correctly).  Back on the Nidderdale Way now (and south of the river) we then turned west for home - deviating for our lunch stop at the cafe in Darley - and sunning ourselves briefly in the children’s playground!

Refreshed from our lunch stop, there followed a tricky stretch alongside the river (narrow/eroded path and the Nidd in quite good flow after the overnight rain). Continuing west, and staying fairly close to the river, we picked up the Six Dales Trail at Glasshouses and crossed to the north of the river there.  The final leg of our journey comprised a comfortable and easy track back to Pateley Bridge.

A good day’s outing, thoroughly enjoyed by all.  Thanks as usual to Andy for an interesting and well-lead route.  

Photos by Robert Cope