Grassington and Conistone (6 miles)

Date: 31st August 2016

Description: Outstanding limestone scenery with a walk along the River Wharfe to finish.

Starting point: Park at the large National Park Centre car park. Our walk starts from Grassington Square.

The walk: Walk up the left hand street out of the square past the Devonshire Hotel.
On reaching the town hall turn left down Chapel Street.When Chapel Street turns steeply left downhill go right up Bank Lane. At the signpost (Kettlewell, Dalesway) go left.
Go up the middle of the field, through a narrow gap stile and then on in the same line along the obvious path.
Go through a gap in the wall and immediately left through another one.
Now turn right up the wall and over a stile. Walk straight ahead to meet a broad track and turn left along this on to the open moor.
Stick with this old cart track avoiding all leftward deviations towards Grass Wood, to reach the limestone clints.
The path continues, eventually passing a huge kiln. Carry on along the green sward with a radio mast coming into view.
On crossing a wall, a signpost points downhill to Conistone. The track passes below Bull Scar before winding its way down through Gurling Trough to enter Conistone.
Walk out towards Grassington, with the River Wharfe on your right.
At an "S" bend just beyond a barn on the right go straight ahead through a gate and across the field. Regain the road again at the corner of Grass Wood.
Continue along the road for another couple of hundred yards until a signpost points the way diagonally towards Grassington Bridge.Walk down through the trees to link up with the Wharfe and turn left along the bank..
Follow the riverside pastures back to Grassington, admiring the rapids of Ghaistrill's Strid en route.
Cross the road at Grassington Bridge and continue along the path until you reach Linton Falls. Turn left up the enclosed path back to the car park.

The pub: Foresters Arms, Grassington. Nice pub with a friendly barman who served me a wonderful pint of Black Sheep's Riggwelter.

Limestone Clints

Ghaistrill's Strid

Ghaistrill's Strid

Linton Falls

The Foresters Arms, Grassington