Wyresdale, Grizedale and the four markers of Nicky Nook


 

Walk Leader: Pat Fergusson

Number on walk: 14

Distance: 10 miles

Weather: Warm and fine, showers around but not on our route

 

Route: Wyresdale, Grizedale and the four markers of Nicky Nook.  

 

‘Everyone’ knows Nicky Nook, so this gentle and any-season walk with stunning views took in unvisited places for most of our group. 

From the A6 we crossed farmland to Scorton, climbing gently past Wyresdale Hall and returning through the copious, cool woodland of the Grizedale Valley. Midway, climbing Nicky Nook was inevitable, and raised much interest identifying the two water towers near the summit. A third tower is visible across the Grizedale Valley, marking the course of the Thirlmere Aqueduct carrying water along a 95 mile route to Manchester and opened in 1894 after 80 years of vast investment in civil engineering projects which blend well into the landscape. From Nicky Nook, views of the Bowland Fells (Harrisend Fell 310m, Hawthornthwaite Fell Top 478m, Stake House Fell 402m and Hazelhurst Fell 429m) and north and west to Heysham Power Station, the Lake District and Blackpool Tower were visible from the Trig Point. Our fourth marker was the Victoria Jubilee Cairn (1887) for lunch. Overall we had made thorough exploration of quite a small area and returned to the cars just as rain threatened.