Chop Gate Shorter Walk | Wednesday 9 June 2021


Walk Leader: Jill King
Participants: 10
Mileage: 11 miles
Ascent: 1,440 ft
Walk Report: Jill King


Our second mid week walk in Bilsdale was blessed with excellent weather (a bit too hot at times), good company and crack and even more walkers than last time.

The climb up to above William Beck farm was a bit tough early on, did enjoy the peacock display though and we did pause to go off piste to look at the Bronze Age stone circle of the Bridestones. No fertility rites paid to Brigit though! Traversing along both sides of the valley through countless gates and stiles, we were using paths that before Lockdown, were well used. Now they are overgrown with tall grass and stinging nettles. Nobody escaped the initial torture. When you need it, there is very little shade in Bilsdale but the intrepid bunch stuck it out to the end.

Well done everyone, a good tester of character and endurance of the extreme heat and difficult ground conditions. See you on the 14th at Leyburn.

Photos by Eva Bowes