Day 5 Cowling to Kirkby Malham

 Day 5 done Cowling to Kirkby Malham 18.2 miles

Today seemed a really long day as we had breakfast in Skipton and had to return to Cowling before picking up the trail where we left yesterday. Not as pretty as the last few days but still beautiful. Loads of field walking and several with cows made it feel lots further  Nearly all of the days ascent today was in the first 4 miles. The latter half of the day showed a distinct changing scenery from the dark gritstone and black Pete of the Peak District to the lush fields of the Yorkshire Dales.

We leave Cowling,

make a short short climb up Cowling Hill

and there’s another up and over and down into Lothersdale with its incongruouss chimney

it was too early for the hare and hounds to be open

so after the village its up onto the fields for the climb up to Elslak moor and the  Highpoint of the day at the trig point at Pinhaw Beacon.

 The rest of the day was mainly low-level through fields and pastures The way drops down to Thornton in Craven village with a few features

 but Kirsty found a honestly tuck shop at a farm, so we stocked up and took a break as it started to rain 

We pressed on to a section along the Leeds-Liverpool canal.where we pass under this unusual double bridge. 

We go through more fields to the village of Gargave 

Beyond Gargrave the way climb steadily through the fields of Ashton Moor  and then down to meet the river Aire

which you cross again

then walk beside this for the remainder of the section to Kirkby Malham we then walk to our accommodation the Victoria Inn.  

Again a big thanks to the latest sponsors the total continues to grow. 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steve-jane-kirsty-1704720779976?

 

Day 4 Hebden Bridge to Cowling

 It hasn’t been easy to this point. They say you get fitter and the aches and pains begin to subside, I hope they do as today was tough and we are all a little weary. There is only a couple of other days along the Pennine way that have a greater ascent than this section apparently one of the hardest ascents of the whole walk a lung busting thousand foot climb in the first 3 miles. Having been dropped back at Hebden Bridge we returned to the Pennine way path we climbed immediately and it was tough but was in good spirits.

As we climbed ever higher we could see back to yesterday’s route 

From here we climb again then we take a very difficult path where it’s very uneven underfoot, but the fact it’s overgrown we couldn’t see where we were putting our feet so had to take it easy

it drops down to a beauty spot Hebble Hole here there is a very old clapper bridge

Eventually we reach Colden and we had to stop at Mays Aladdin‘s Cave where we picked up a few energy bars and cakes to help us on our way after a tough start.

We carry on over Moors these signs made us smile

. The next few miles are past or  along reservoirs 

Access roads are on half gravel paths beside them quite tough on the feet. We pass two of the three Wallshore Dean reservoirs 

before we turn away and climb the Moorland path up to withins height

And to the old farmhouse ruins of Top Withns, that many associate with Emily Brontë Wuthering Heights. Top Withens is a ruined farmhouse which is said to have been the inspiration for Wuthering Heights the novel by Emily Brontë.

The path now drops down across Moor land to Pondon. It’s got a rather contrived  path around the reservoir of the same name

then passing these cows

we then have another long ascent. It might only be 800 feet this time but it was tough with tired legs

then cross the heather clad Ickornshaw Moor.  Many wooden huts these are called cowlings they are used by shooters but what used to be a common right to shoot on these moors is now restricted. Also this stone built one 

and finally more up and downs to  cross with tiered feet and legs

and onto the village of  Cowling. here again was a very difficult situation for accommodation so had to get to Skipton where we were booked in at the Wooly sheep Inn

We walked 18 miles and almost 3500’ of ascent on todays route

What makes it all worthwhile is the incredible total we have raised for the mental health charity’Mind’ 

THANK YOU ❤️

If you want to donate you can here https://www.justgiving.com/page/steve-jane-kirsty-1704720779976? 

And remember all sponsors will be in the draw for the hand made by muse Elm Burr clocks

We will return the path at Cowling in the morning to continue our way.