14th May 2017 - Aye Gill Pike
Walk Details
Distance walked: 12.0 miles
Total ascent: 1642 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Dent-Dales Way-Barth Bridge-Lunds-Long Moor-Aye Gill Pike-Snaizwold Fell-Dockra Bridge-Cowgill-Basil Busk-Dales Way-Church Bridge-Dent
I really fancied doing this walk from Dent today that I first did just over three years ago. It goes over the sort of terrain that during the past few years I've come to enjoy the most. Big moors with wide ranging views and solitude, although I wouldn't mind seeing a few more people appreciating this sort of countryside as much as I do. After a rather cloudy start in Dent as the overnight rain cleared it soon brightened up and turned into a lovely spring day with plenty of warm sunny spells in the afternoon with a fresh breeze.
From the car park in Dent I walked west along the road out of the village to pick up the trail of the Dales Way which I then followed to Barth Bridge. I left the trail here to cross the bridge and take the lane on the right uphill to Lunds Farm and from there the bridleway onto Long Moor. The moorland crossing of Aye Gill Pike, Rise Hill and Snaizwold Fell came next, keeping to the north side of the wall that runs across the top except when I visited the trig point on Aye Gill Pike (lunch was taken here). From Snaizwold Fell I continued to follow the summit wall east until I reached the Garsdale to Dentdale bridleway. I turned right and walked down the bridleway to reach the hamlet of Cowgill in Dentdale. Some road walking came next as I followed the lane west down Dentdale to Basil Busk farm, where a footpath let me drop down the hillside to the trail of the Dales Way. I kept on the Dales Way to Church Bridge just outside Dent and I was then left with just a short walk up into the village.
Total ascent: 1642 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Dent-Dales Way-Barth Bridge-Lunds-Long Moor-Aye Gill Pike-Snaizwold Fell-Dockra Bridge-Cowgill-Basil Busk-Dales Way-Church Bridge-Dent
I really fancied doing this walk from Dent today that I first did just over three years ago. It goes over the sort of terrain that during the past few years I've come to enjoy the most. Big moors with wide ranging views and solitude, although I wouldn't mind seeing a few more people appreciating this sort of countryside as much as I do. After a rather cloudy start in Dent as the overnight rain cleared it soon brightened up and turned into a lovely spring day with plenty of warm sunny spells in the afternoon with a fresh breeze.
From the car park in Dent I walked west along the road out of the village to pick up the trail of the Dales Way which I then followed to Barth Bridge. I left the trail here to cross the bridge and take the lane on the right uphill to Lunds Farm and from there the bridleway onto Long Moor. The moorland crossing of Aye Gill Pike, Rise Hill and Snaizwold Fell came next, keeping to the north side of the wall that runs across the top except when I visited the trig point on Aye Gill Pike (lunch was taken here). From Snaizwold Fell I continued to follow the summit wall east until I reached the Garsdale to Dentdale bridleway. I turned right and walked down the bridleway to reach the hamlet of Cowgill in Dentdale. Some road walking came next as I followed the lane west down Dentdale to Basil Busk farm, where a footpath let me drop down the hillside to the trail of the Dales Way. I kept on the Dales Way to Church Bridge just outside Dent and I was then left with just a short walk up into the village.
Route map
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Setting off from the village of Dent
Middleton Fell as I follow the trail of the Dales Way to Barth Bridge..
On a lane lined with wild garlic up to Lunds
Turning round to see Middleton Fell on the other side of Dentdale
As well as cloud clearing from Whernside and Great Coum
Hints of the Howgills as I reach the bridleway across Long Moor
The Howgills from the top of the bridleway on Long Moor
As I make the long gradual ascent of Aye Gill Pike there are increasingly expansive views behind me to the west that include distant Lake District fells...
At the trig point on the summit of Aye Gill Pike and I'm not surprised to find myself here on my own. I've not seen anyone since I left the Dales Way behind in Dentdale and I wouldn't see anyone again until I was back in Dentdale. This is a really quiet part of the Dales.
Despite being surrounded by higher hills there's a really great view from here. Starting with looking east to Great Knoutberry Hill.
Going round clockwise, Penyghent and Whernside
Whernside and Great Coum
Great Coum and Middleton Fell
A hazy line of Lake District fells way out to the west
The Howgills
Baugh Fell on the other side of Garsdale
Finally, Great Shunner Fell and Lovely Seat in the distance to the northeast
This handsomely built cairn just a short distance east from the summit and on the northern edge of the fell provides a fantastic view of Garsdale
As well as the Howgills
I couldn't resist taking another photo of Garsdale
Following the summit wall east to Snaizwold Fell
Looking over the wall to see the head of Dentdale
A view down Garsdale to the Howgills with Aye Gill Pike on the left and Baugh Fell on the right as I reach Snaizwold Fell
Looking towards Garsdale Head and Great Shunner Fell from the summit of Snaizwold Fell
Whernside and Great Coum
Great Knoutberry Hill, Dentdale and Penyghent
Leaving Snaizwold Fell my route follows the edge of a plantation down to the Garsdale to Dentdale bridleway
I get a great view of the head of Dentdale
and across to Garsdale Head
On the bridleway down to Cowgill in Dentdale
Zooming in on the Arten Gill Viaduct and Dent Head Viaduct that carry the Settle to Carlisle line above the head of Dentdale
There's not much water flowing in the River Dee as I reach Ewegales Bridge in Cowgill
It's a lovely afternoon as I walk west along the lane in Dentdale...
Great Coum on the other side of Dentdale as I leave the road at Basil Busk and head down to the Dales Way
A dry River Dee as I join the Dales Way
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Water has returned to the river at Tommy Bridge
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The river is low enough for me to walk across the ford just below Tommy Bridge and take a photo
Dentdale as I follow the Dales Way up to Mill Bridge..
The River Dee again as the Dales Way trail returns to its banks
Bluebells line the trail for a moment
Middleton Fell..
..and Whernside as I near Dent
The River Dee from Church Bridge below Dent
Stepping back in time as I walk along the cobbled streets of Dent