Askrigg falls

Tuesday, March 27, 2018


Another cowless walk for us. In fact all our walks in the Yorkshire Dales went without incident. On one walk (straight from our cottage) we came up to a gate which declared it contained cows with calves (although C went in and couldn't see a dicky bird except sheep) and I still u-turned; I don't need telling twice. This walk to Askrigg falls was a particularly pleasant walk (again from our book -Crimson Short Walks for the Yorkshire Dales, this was walk 2) but don't expect to catch much sight of the waterfall itself, the tree cover is so dense that even in winter when the branches are bare there isn't much to be seen at all, however the Mill Gill falls are lovely and much easier to see.
We parked by the church which is honesty box parking, luckily there was a space then headed up down a lane which soon took us across a couple of fields. It really isn't a good idea for me to be left in charge of navigating as I systematically fail to interpret maps, paths, general directions and often lead us in the complete wrong direction. However, I would also mention that it is often the case that paths are not well marked or not marked at all when on the ground and frankly it's just asking for walkers to get lost and use the wrong gates.
Once we retraced lost steps and got back onto the right route it soon brought us out to a lovely track. In Norfolk we have none of these but in Yorkshire I walked up 3 separate ones which were all of the same ilk; walled either side and leading up a hill as an old cart track. They felt good as it's almost impossible to lose your way and there's a good surface to walk on as well as fields being off the track so it's livestock free. In one of the fields there were a few lapwings which are relatively distinctive visually as well as being unmistakable (to my untrained ear) with the sound they make to chase away other birds and predators from their nesting sites. Imagine a walkie talkie doing those bip bips after you stop holding the button to talk. It's an almost digital noise and they just keep on sounding away until they presumably drive  unwelcome visitors away with the tedium.



 Two cows lurked in this field. I eyed them with suspicion but there were no more to be seen.


 Lapwing above. It was a gloriously bright day with blue skies and delicious spring warmth.
These tracks though; giving a rugged beauty a rugged beauty to the landscape.

The paths long the riverbank were a little rockier and closer-to the-edgier than I would have liked but there were lovely safe steps for the steep part so I didn't have too much to worry about but if you happen to be walking with dogs / kids be sure to keep them close by.


 Dogs Mercury and wild garlic in the sunshine.
 Mill Gill falls






The path was downhill back to the village. It skirted the river as well as cut through fields and finally ended with this 'causey' which is a flagged path.
A route approximately 3.25 miles long, taking around an hour and a half which is pleasant if you are near Hawes and want a little excursion.
Take care,
Sophie

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Sometimes I am sent items to feature as part of a post and these will be clearly mentioned as part of each post.Everything else is bought by myself. Any sponsored or collaboration posts will be clearly marked. Each post is my own content and all opinions are honest.