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raveydavey
Eddie Gray
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 3952
Location: Leeds Yorkshire England
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 Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject: ravey's rambles |
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Before summer comes to an end, we're trying to make the most of the opportunities to get out and about in the Great British countryside with our dog, Chance.
Regular readers will know how much we like the beach at Scarborough, to which we've recently added the beach at Hunmanby Gap.
There are also lots of walks on Yorkshire Water propoerties which we've started to explore. Here is what we thought of the ones we've done so far:
http://www.yorkshirewater.com/leisure-time/land-and-recreation.aspx
Swinsty Reservoir ***** (out of 5)
Excellent walk, most of it on well drained footpaths around this reservoir in the Washburn Valley north of Otley (as featured in the opening credits of Emmerdale). Picnic area half way round and a good variety of scenery and other things to see. Also has the advantage of a free car park with toilets and a refreshment stand which sells very nice ice creams. 3 miles.
Fewston Reservoir ****
Shares the car park with Swinsty as these reservoirs are one above the other in the Washburn Valley. This walk is slightly longer and is very nearly the equal of Swinsty, however when we visited the flora and fauna was in full summer bloom which sometimes obscured what could be spectacular views. I think it would be impressive in the winter or early spring as there is lots to see. The paths aren't quite as well drained in places but they are by no means bad. Also has another smaller car park at the northern end immediately off the A59, although there are no facilities here. 4 miles.
Embsay ***
Nestled in the hills above Embsay near Skipton. Only a short walk but good views and the paths are (mainly) well drained. Might be a tad bleak on a windy day. Spoilt slightly on our visit by the older couple a couple of hundred yards in front of us who failed to clear up after either of their dogs. The diiiiirty b*st*rds. Just over 1 mile
Eccup Reservoir, near Leeds *
Disappointing. The walk has high spots, namely across the open fields after Goldrick Lane where we spotted Red Kites, but then becomes a long slog along a dead straight tarmac road with high hedges on either side. Things pick up past Owlet Hall Farm and over the dam itself, but then rapidly descend into monotony for the final section along the south side of the reservoir, most of which is between a concrete drainage culvert and a chainlink fence with no opportunity to see the reservoir let alone any wildlife. After completing Swinsty and Fewston recently this walk around Eccup was a big let down. Also not a single dog poo bin anywhere on the circuit... 4.5 miles
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Garp
Allan Clarke
Joined: 06 May 2008
Posts: 694
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Got some ok walks around here. Being where we are, it is not open country like the Downs or the Dales, but some ok woodland and lakeside walks. Most of our local dog walks are strict on picking up too, so not too much pooh laying about.
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halfaperson
David Batty
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 1157
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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Nice One ravey, We love a good walk. Anything over ten miles gets a bit tough but we do a 12 mile walk occasionally. Water seems to make the walk a lot easier somehow.
We’ve been doing the Kirklees way this year. 12 stages averaging 6 miles each.
It’s a circular walk around Kirklees which in old money is Huddersfield, Brighouse Cleckheaton, Dewsbury, Mirfield etc (collectively called Cleckhuddersfax by you Leeds lot or Cleckheckmonsidge here or the Heavy Woolen area) Weve done 6 stages so far with the latest one on Monday from Clifton to Birkenshaw just south of Bratford. Next stages are heading south to Hanging Heaton where the trail is also the Leeds Country Trail. Not a lot of it on water though.
The walk from Town to Marsden along the narrow canal is excellent as well, about 6 miles
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raveydavey
Eddie Gray
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 3952
Location: Leeds Yorkshire England
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| Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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Time for an update
Golden Acre Park ***
Most people use the entrance off Otley Road, but we used the one from Arthington Lane. Apparently this free car park is used for something less salubrious after dark  , but during the day all was in order. A good steady couple of miles around one of Leeds hidden gems of a park. Especially the quiter side away from the lake and the main entrance. The car park is at the top of a hill so whichever way you set off is downhill - and your return is uphill, but it's nothing too strenous. Lots of wildlife about (spotted those red kites again) and a decent cafe half way round - along with a parks department shop you can buy plants and flowers from. 1-3 miles depending on your route. Good one for a Sunday morning. Loads of doggie bins too.
Grimwith Reservoir *****
Set high in the hills off the Grassington - Pateley Bridge Road is Grimwith Reservoir, which according to Yorkshire Water is their biggest reservoir (they should know!). Good sized free car park with decent toilets and a drinking trough for dogs and a good number of picnic tables. Would be stunning on a sunny day - however when we went it was overcast and at times, drizzly. This was OK by us as it meant we had the place virtually to ourselves. The first part of the walk is on unmade roads or decent quality paths, but then there is a section across what is describes as a "rough moorland path". This was great fun, but quite muddy / slippery in places and how I didn't end up on my backside I'll never know. Not one for trainers, thats for sure and you'd probably want full on walking gear over the winter months. Then you are back onto an unmade road, before the last section down a green lane that is again muddy in places and then over the dam wall itself. Although the weather was a tad ropey, the best one we've done yet. Lots of wildlife (including grouse), plus a couple of flocks of sheep that Chance (our collie cross) was very inquisitive about. 4.5 miles._________________ The advert above is nowt to do with me!
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raveydavey
Eddie Gray
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 3952
Location: Leeds Yorkshire England
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raveydavey
Eddie Gray
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 3952
Location: Leeds Yorkshire England
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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Well, Langsett didn't disappoint.
To get there from civilisation, head south down the M1 to junction 36, then head towards Sheffield on the A61, taking the A616 towards Scumchester at the next roundabout. Watch out for speed cameras though - there are loads of the buggers and the speed limits keep changing.
Langsett *****
This is a beautiful spot (naturally, it's in Yorkshire) and well worth a walk.
Arriving early as we did meant we had the first part of our walk to ourselves, heading in a clockwise direction from the car park over the dam wall.
We had intended to follow the "easier" walk which sticks broadly to the side of the reservoir but a section of the path was "closed until further notice" (this isn't mentioned on the YW website) so we headed up onto the moors high above the reservoir, past the ruins of North America Farm. We had to work a bit harder but it was worth it for the views and the sense of achievement. You feel like you're on top of the world up here and can even see the planes taking off full of lucky people escaping Scumchester.
Eventually you reach the top and then the rocky path starts to head downwards back towards the reservoir. At this point we passed a small group of mountain bikers heading up the hill (is mountain biking just an excuse to go out in public wearing lycra?). There is then a steeper downward section, all on decent paths but I was glad we'd gone the way we had rather than having to climb up this bit. Then down into the valley bottom and up the other side and a steady, mainly level stroll of a mile or so back to the car park through the woods, which by now was near full. 4 miles (approx)
Only downside is that the only dog poop bins are in the car park.
More details here:
http://www.yorkshirewater.com/leisure-time/land-and-recreation.aspx_________________ The advert above is nowt to do with me!
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raveydavey
Eddie Gray
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 3952
Location: Leeds Yorkshire England
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halfaperson
David Batty
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
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raveydavey
Eddie Gray
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 3952
Location: Leeds Yorkshire England
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. Dunno if you've noticed this year, we have, that cows seem to be a bir more agitated and less sedate. Twice now we've had one charge at us whilst out.Theres been a couple of stories of folk been trampled to death