Hawes | Saturday 19 October 2019


Walk Leader: Andy Miller
Participants: 15
Mileage: 19 miles
Ascent: 2,650 ft
Walk Register: Yes
Walk Report: Robert Cope

 

A chilly, cloudy but dry start saw our number competing with a runners event.  Thankfully our leader assured us he wasn’t planning to do the 100 km they were tackling - though we did sometimes wonder!  Our route was essentially an anti-clockwise oval along a north-east to south west axis - but with a sizeable “red squirrel” deviation (of which more to follow).

We headed out of Hawes initially on the B6255 leaving it at Snaizeholme Bridge to drop down in search of the Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Sanctuary.  We found the sanctuary (an interesting and peaceful woodland enclosure) but unfortunately, and despite some rustling trees, no actual sightings of its inhabitants at this time.  Slightly disappointed we climbed back out of the woods and valley and on to road where, to our surprise, some of us caught a very brief glimpse of the elusive rodent!  Red squirrel mission accomplished (just) we took our mid-morning refreshments at Widdale Bridge.

After a long slow climb through Widdale we picked up the Pennine Bridleway at Dent Fell and then headed south to Newby Head Gate - where we lunched.  Now travelling east we stayed on the Pennine Bridleway (aka Ribble Way) to Kidhow Gate, before joining the Pennine Way heading north / north-east and all the way back to Hawes - albeit via the Wensleydale Creamery for some of us!  We didn’t quite escape the rain for the last half an hour or so, but overall the weather was kind to us.

For much of the second half of the walk we were fortunate to experience some dramatic 360 degree views including The Three Peaks and various steep gullied hillsides.  The photos don’t really do them justice.

Thank you Andy for a great day’s outing.

Photos by Robert Cope

Photos by Tony Jenner