14th June 2014 - Capplestone Gate & the Dales Way
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.3 miles
Total ascent: 1683 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Conistone-Conistone Dib-Bycliffe Road-Conistone Turf Road-Capplestone Gate-Kettlewell-Highgate Leys Lane-Dales Way-Scot Gate Lane-Conistone
A pre Father's Day walk as my Dad joined me for his first visit to this part of Wharfedale. This is one of my favourite parts of the Dales and I wanted to show my Dad why. The Tour de France passes through this valley in three weeks time and there was ample evidence of the work going on to prepare for the event. I hope your favourite colour is yellow.
We started from the hamlet of Conistone, just off the main road up through the valley. Setting off, we made our way up the ravine of Conistone Dib. At the top we took the track of Bycliffe Road and the path of Conistone Turf Road to reach the high point of the walk, the trig at Capplestone Gate. We then took the path across the hillside of Langcliffe to head down to Kettlewell. After visiting the Cottage Tearooms we briefly followed a path by the River Wharfe before joining the Dales Way to head back to Conistone. Instead of going back down the Dib we used the track of Scot Gate Lane.
Total ascent: 1683 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Conistone-Conistone Dib-Bycliffe Road-Conistone Turf Road-Capplestone Gate-Kettlewell-Highgate Leys Lane-Dales Way-Scot Gate Lane-Conistone
A pre Father's Day walk as my Dad joined me for his first visit to this part of Wharfedale. This is one of my favourite parts of the Dales and I wanted to show my Dad why. The Tour de France passes through this valley in three weeks time and there was ample evidence of the work going on to prepare for the event. I hope your favourite colour is yellow.
We started from the hamlet of Conistone, just off the main road up through the valley. Setting off, we made our way up the ravine of Conistone Dib. At the top we took the track of Bycliffe Road and the path of Conistone Turf Road to reach the high point of the walk, the trig at Capplestone Gate. We then took the path across the hillside of Langcliffe to head down to Kettlewell. After visiting the Cottage Tearooms we briefly followed a path by the River Wharfe before joining the Dales Way to head back to Conistone. Instead of going back down the Dib we used the track of Scot Gate Lane.
Route map
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.
Conistone Dib. I've never been through it when all the greenery is out. A little spooky looking.
You're soon out into the open though
The final climb to the top
A look back down into Wharfedale from the Conistone Turf Road
At the high point of the walk, the trig point on Capplestone Gate
Views from Capplestone Gate. Looking down Wharfedale to Simon's Seat and Burnsall Fell.
Kilnsey Moor and Kilnsey Crag across the valley
and looking up the valley to Birks Fell
Heading across Langcliffe and down to Kettlewell
As we near the final descent the south end of Buckden Pike come into view
Dowber Gill Beck on its way up Great Whernside
Kettlewell at last
This cottage by a bridge over Kettlewell Beck caught my eye
As did this view of the beck from the bridge
Time to head for the Cottage Tearoom. It awaits our patronage.
Forty-five minutes later and we leave Kettlewell behind as we briefly follow a riverside path
A great view across the valley
By the River Wharfe..
Some photos of the pastures in this part of Wharfedale......
After a short climb on the track of Highgate Leys Lane we're onto the Dales Way
There's a fantastic view up the valley from above Swineber Scar
On the Dales Way to Conistone
A great view across the valley to Kilnsey Crag
A final stop at the limestone outcrop of Conistone Pie. Littondale and Wharfedale separated by Birks Fell.
Looking down the valley to Burnsall Fell and the scars above Conistone
Instead of heading back down Conistone Dib we're using the track of Scot Gate Lane. It gave me the chance to look at the Dib from above.
Looking over a wall to capture a typical Dales scene
On Scot Gate Lane back down to Conistone