Sunday 4th September 2022 – Grassington – Yorkshire Dales
Today’s walk was being led by Norman Emery, 7 miles around the Grassington area. Two new walkers were given the usual greeting and made to feel welcome. On route to our destination, there was a red kite, a kestrel, and a steam train at Bolton Abbey, all seen from the coach. A good start to the day.
8 non-walkers were dropped off at Skipton. We carried on our journey with 26 walkers ready and eager for the walk. A comfort stop at the start of the walk and then on our merry way following the Dales Way at the side of the River Wharfe, which was very low. On this path oystercatchers and a female goosander were spotted. We passed Hebden suspension bridge which was built by local blacksmith William Bell and opened in 1885.
We carried on to the lovely village of Hebden where we had a refreshment stop. The next part of the walk was on Grassington Moor. We walked over stepping stones that were dry. A big difference from when we did this walk last year and the water was high, making it a little bit more of a challenge. On the moor is the lead mining trail, with different notices to read along the way. The lead mining here was most prosperous between 1821 and 1861 when over 20,000 tons of lead was extracted.
A lunch stop was then taken sitting on a hill with fabulous views and Grassington in the distance. Sunday afternoon bliss. After everyone was fed and watered we headed down the hill to eventually arrive in Grassington. We had plenty of time to have a break in the pub, ice cream parlour or little tea shops. There is also an interesting folk museum worth a look.
We all made our way back to the coach to pick up our non-walkers in Skipton who had also had a great day.
Thanks, Dave Tyson and David Torrington for additional photos to my own.
