Date: 29th August 2016
Description: A wonderful walk up through Trollers Gill with a lovely stroll along the River wharfe near the end.
Starting point : Park at Howgill between Barden Bridge and Appletreewick. There are a few parking spaces half way down Howgill Lane , 100 yards before the caravan site at Howgill Lodge, where a notice board gives information about access to Simon's Seat.
The walk: Walk up Howgill Lane past the caravan park and take the signposted path on the left to Skyreholme. The wall, at first, is on your left, but soon switches to the right. On going through a gateway, leave the wall to head across the field, slightly downhill, to a stile.
Go half left down the next field to a footbridge, stile and signpost to Skyreholme. Follow the obvious path to enter the hamlet by a bridge over the Fir Beck and between a development of stone cottages.
At the road, turn right. At the road junction, turn right for a few yards over Skyreholme Beck and take the signposted footpath on the left to Parcevall Hall. Go up the field to turn left at the gap at the top. A stile soon leads into the grounds of the hall.
Here, our route goes left. Exit down the drive, cross the wooden vehicle bridge over Skyreholme Beck and turn right immediately through the gate (signpost Gill Head and New Road).
On crossing a stile you meet a footpath sign showing the public right of way going leftwards. We must go right, along a well established track into the confines of Trollers Gill.
On leaving the gill, follow the path up the bank on the left, over a stile and across the meadow on the left to regain the main footpath. Turn right along the good cart track.When the track turns sharp right, go straight on (no path to start with) past the fenced off Hell Hole pot. The path becomes vague as it passes a grassed over spoil heap but a footpath sign and wooden stile are soon visible in the wall ahead.
Emerge on the road and turn left for 200 yards to a signposted track to Hartlington.
As the track dips down, it meets a signposted junction. Go right here (signpost Hartlington) through two gates and continue with the wall on your right.
At a collection of barns,turn right (signpost Hartlington) down the walled Kail Lane.
On passing Hartlington Hall, keep the wall on your right as you drop down to pick up another ancient cart track which leads between high banks to the Appletreewick - Burnsall road.
Go straight across to Woodhouse Farm and turn left (signpost Appletreewick).
The path soon links up with the River Wharfe. Follow the riverbank below Appletreewick - diversion here for refreshment if required - to Howgill where a signpost takes you away from the river to the road. Turn right over Fir Beck and immediately left (signpost Howgill Lane) which leads to the finish.
The pub: The Craven Arms, Appletreewick. Great selection of cask ales. I opted for one of my favourites, Theakston's Old Peculier.
Trollers Gill
Trollers Gill
Approaching Trollers Gill
The Craven Arms
River Wharfe
